Remember to wash your hands...

[thegrandpoohbah]

http://healthandfitness.sympatico.msn.ca/Home/ContentPosting_50Plus?newsitemid=bf8c31d0-e8ba-4bd8-b87c-506685b9ef5f&feedname=50_PLUS&show=False&number=0&showbyline=True&subtitle=&detect=&abc=abc&date=False

I have reptiles and a turtle so hand washing is second nature to me since they potentially carry Salmonella. But this article points out that fish tanks can also be a source of infection. And with some of the meds used on fish these days, it's not surprising that some of the bugs are now multi-drug resistant. So remember to wash your hands after working on the tanks.

And while we're on the topic, wash with a regular soap and not an anti-bacterial soap. Over-use of antibiotics is a bad thing. All it takes is a little elbow grease to work up a good lather. And that's what gets nasty stuff off your hands.

[CACAdmin]

Thanks for the link Mr. GP and also thanks for mentioning to not use anit-bacterial soap. Superbugs have developed through over use of anti-biotics and now the latest trend is to use 'anti-bacterial' soaps/cleaners/wipes on eveything. IMO this will just lead to more resistant bacteria. Good old soap and water and elbow grease does the trick.

[Angelwhispers]

I think it's also important to remember to wash your hands BEFORE working on your tank. There are bugs to be picked up from anywhere these days, and it's always better to try to not introduce anything into your tank that could become a potential health hazard to your fish.

I'm a smoker, and I always make sure I wash my hands after having a smoke, even if I'm not doing any work on the tank. That way, if I need to get into the tank in a hurry, the risk of introducing bacteria is minimal.

[Melody]

I am usually more concerned about lotion - I can't wash my hands without using it after because it drives me nuts, always has...lol...so I always have to rinse the hands off well before I play in the tanks. With longish fingernails I could still have lotion lurking even hours later.

[Angelwhispers]

I hear ya about the lotion for sure. I have sensitive skin, and so I have to be particularly careful about what lotion I use to start with.

I used to have long fingernails too, then they started driving me nuts. I'd find myself waking up in the morning with scratches on my face and no idea how they got there, so I cut them off. Since then ... scratch free!

I generally make sure I use all natural products as much as possible when it comes to washing my hands and stuff. That way, my hands don't itch, and the chance of contamination from sticking my hands in the tank is next to nothing.

[Pamelajo]

Since we are on a handing washing topic.

Flu season is approaching and your best defense is washing your hands. Washing hands should take as long as singing happy birthday.

[Gramma]

I used to get my grandkids, when they were little, to sing the ABC song when they washed their hands.

[firestorm]

I am always paranoid to stick my hands in my tanks without washing them first. I smoke as well, and am always concerned about the chemicals it leaves behind. It is actually difficult to find soap these days that isn't anti-bacterial grrr. I don't like using the stuff either. I am going to have severe dry hands this winter, just started a job servicing aquariums, so I always have my hands in water all day long. I usually don't moisturize until I get home or before I go to bed :err:

[CACAdmin]

It sounds like your hands are going to be in the water an awful lot. Have you considered maybe using gloves? I personally hate wearing gloves to do anything but the snug fitting disposable ones might be an option for you.

I use just ordinary Ivory bar soap. With all this anti-bacterial soap and cleaners being used on a regular basis in most households, I wonder if we're just helping create more super-bugs.

[Angelwhispers]

I use just ordinary Ivory bar soap. With all this anti-bacterial soap and cleaners being used on a regular basis in most households, I wonder if we're just helping create more super-bugs.

I think we are. As long as we continue to use anti bacterial cleaners, bugs are going to become more resistant to anti bacterial cleaners ... to counteract that, the anti bacterial cleaners are going to become stronger and stronger. It's a catch 22 situation.