The coronavirus has spread into other parts of Asia, Europe and the U.S. So make sure to always wash after doing dirty work like taking out the trash, outdoor activities, or handling greasy items. We use gel frequently and use soap and water hand scrubs after several gel uses.. (n.d.). Rinse your hands well. See here for more information on how to spot safe hand sanitizers. If your nails are dirty, scrub under them with a nailbrush, but unless you are a surgeon preparing to operate, don't scrub your skin. Unless the bioterrorism of 2001 resurfaces, however, that's not a worry for ordinary folks. Continue applying the lather and scrubbing your hands for at least 20 seconds. The bacteria arent necessarily dangerous, but paper towels are a better. Recently, the Food and Drug Administration sent a warning letter to Gojo Industries, the manufacturer of Purell hand sanitizer. Cold is fine too. According to the above USDA study, were all getting it wrong when it comes to how long we spend scrubbing our hands. (2011). If you purchased any hand sanitizer containing methanol, you should stop using it immediately. Learn about the common causes and when to seek medical attention. Now it is practically not possible to keep every nook and corner of your house and everything around you clean and shiny at all times. Hang onto your hand towel, or grab a new one, and use it to open the door to keep your hands clean. How to protect yourself & others. As a mother of three young children, I am very familiar with the mad dash families go through to put dinner on the table, Carmen Rottenberg, acting deputy under secretary for food safety at the USDA, said in a statement. Increasing the rate of hand washing at the 10 airports in different parts of the world that the researchers studied could lower the risk of a pandemic by up to 37%, the study suggests. Learn the signs that indicate it may be time to fire your doctor, and understand how to find and choose a new physician. Run your hands under clean, running water; it can be hot or cold. Fortunately, simple precautions can go a long way toward protecting you. Washing with soap and water is a quick and easy way to get your hands clean. Burton M, et al. To protect yourself from the coronavirus, specifically, the CDC says to wash after going to the bathroom, blowing your nose, sneezing, or coughing. Antibacterial soap vs. regular soap: Which one is better? You should also wash your hands before eating anything. "It's not an instantaneous kill," Esper says. A guide to COVID-19 and wellness from the health team at U.S. News & World Report. Another important type of bacteria that hand sanitizers are ineffective against is Clostridioides difficile (C. diff), which causes a hard-to-cure diarrheal infection thats common in hospitals. Dry wet hands with a disposable paper hand towel, air dry them, or use a hand dryer. Gently clean the area, removing any crust or dried blood. You should also wash your hands after handling raw meat, such as turkey or chicken. Below are 3 reasons why you should wash your hands regularly: Reduce the bacteria content on your hands. Unlike washing hands with soap and water, sanitizer doesn't remove all harmful germs on your hands. Children are easily infected with worms, which deplete the body's nutrients. Rub your hands together briskly for at least 15 seconds before rinsing. Use sanitizer on your hands after dealing with car service belt buckles, train seats and subway poles. Your email address will not be published. When you should wash your hands. 28, 2023, Lisa Esposito and Michael O. SchroederFeb. "Soap and water is actually the best way to remove germs from the hands. Researchers say hot-air dryers blow all sorts of germs back onto your hands. Wash your hands as often as possible to prevent the spread of diseases. DOI: Handwashing and hand sanitizer use at home, at play, and out and about. They cause disease in humans and animals. Turn off the tap, and apply a good amount of soap. Latex gloves are a bit more reliable, but they cannot be used if the provider or patient is allergic to latex, an increasingly common problem. They can try it once in their own voice and once as a character they love. It doesnt work if hands are very soiled or covered in oil, but its a good alternative if soap and water arent readily available, says Laird. If your symptoms are life threatening, call emergency medical services immediately. 2. Check with your doctor about immunizations and medications for travel. Last but not least, dry your hands with either an air drier or a clean towel. Some examples of when you should wash your hands: This list is not exhaustive but should give you an indication as to the types of activities that might require you to wash your hands. Sanitizing means that you are lowering the number of germs to a safe level. Public health authorities around the world are scrambling to contain the coronavirus. Segal recommends bringing sanitizer wipes onto planes (very germy) and cleaning every surface that touches you, like the airplane seats, touch screen, belt and tray. Wash your hands as often as possible to prevent the spread of diseases. Washing your hands with soap and water has been found to reduce more bacteria than washing with water alone. Playing in water, used by one or more children. (2010). Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. Throughout the day, you may find yourself washing your hands at least 10 times, depending on what you come in contact with. Turn off the tap, and apply a good amount of soap. However, they also reported that data "on the transmissibility of coronaviruses from contaminated surfaces to hands were not found.". Without succumbing to the corruption of machine politics, you should apply the legendary method of rigged voting to handwashing: Do it early and often. In one study, female physicians washed their hands after 88% of patient contacts, but male doctors washed after just 54%. While hand sanitizers will help to kill manybut not allbacteria and viruses, they wont remove stubborn dirt or grease or harmful chemicals. But one of the most important steps is also one of the simplest: washing your hands regularly. Check out the CDCs new handwashing campaign and spread the wordnot the germs. IE 11 is not supported. There are several reasons that nails may split. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. How do I know this? 3. @catharob. 4. Best Traveler's Diarrhea Treatments for Symptom Relief, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Show Me the Science - How to Wash Your Hands, Before, during,andafterfood preparation, Beforeandaftercoming into contact with a sick person who has vomiting or has diarrhea, After cleaning a child who has used the bathroom, Afterblowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, Aftercoming in contact with an animal, animal feed, or animal waste. Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School. Hospitals are switching to handrubs because they kill more bacteria and viruses and they are used more regularly. Now take a soap or liquid hand wash and rub it properly on your hands, fingers, between the fingers and also on your nails. If you think norovirus outbreaks occur mostly on cruise ships, you may want to think again, especially before dining out. To begin with, understand how many times a day you need to wash your hands to keep healthy. The flu vaccine is not 100% effective but you should still get it every year, How to prevent the flu, according to doctors, Yes, the flu is contagious. Play a game of thumb war or finger-spell with your child while handwashing. The amount of times you wash your hands is really dependent on a number of factors. Even in hospitals, in fact, personnel are instructed to use an alcohol-based handrub after they take off their gloves. The effect of handwashing with water or soap on bacterial contamination of hands. But it's not clear if gloves will help reduce the transmission of foodborne infections. Rebecca Cairns is a freelance writer for Insider. PLUS, the latest news on medical advances and breakthroughs from Harvard Medical School experts. Scrubbing hands together for 20 or more seconds is enough to, Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. Last updated Mar 01, 2023 | Site designed by, Executive Direction and Management Division, Health Services Planning & Integration (HSPI) Branch, Emergency Disaster Management and Special Services, Special Medical and Health Services / Special Events, Financial Management and Accounting Services Division, Human Resource Management and Administration, Policy, Planning and Development Division, Programme for the Reduction of Maternal and Child Mortality, Disaster Mitigation and Emergency Services, Reporting Form For Events Supposedly Attributed To Vaccination Or Immunization (ESAVI), Volunteer for the COVID-19 Community Mental Health Response Programme. Most of those bacteria are rather wimpy critters that cause disease only under special circumstances. Washing your face twice a day isn't always necessary, but cleansing once can prevent breakouts. You can turn the water off or leave it running, depending on your preference. Here are three key reasons why you should always care about handwashing: Handwashing can keep children healthy and in school. You're Probably Making These 7 Hand-Washing MistakesHere's What to Do Instead, This Smart Soap Dispenser Times Exactly How Long You Should Wash Your Hands, The 10 Best Moisturizing Hand Soaps to Hydrate Dry, Cracked Skin, This Is How Often You Need to Get a New Toothbrush, According to Dentists, Is Mouthwash Actually Good for You, or Is It Just Refreshing? Sad to say, health care personnel including your doctors and nurses are particularly likely to carry the most troublesome bacteria, especially on their hands. Detergents can remove the skin's oils, which have important antibacterial properties. Getting key vaccinations, such as those for influenza and pneumonia, is important, as is staying home from work or school if you do get sick. Castile Soap: A Miracle Product for Both Cleaning and Beauty? Washing your hands is something most of us do on a very regular basis, but this begs the question are we doing it correctly and as well as we should be? Keeping your hands clean isn't a guarantee that you won't catch coronavirus, but it's the best safeguard, says Dr. Erika Schwartz, internist and founder of Evolved Science, a wellness practice in New York City. Any soap will work. Her photos, videos, and words have appeared in print or online for Travel + Leisure, TIME, Los Angeles Times, Glamour, Men's Health, GlobalPost, LA Confidential, and many more. Im just going to be real with you: You probably havent been washing your hands properly. In fact, it's still the best way to remove visible soilage and particulate material. Doctor: Ozempic for weight loss can be 'very dangerous'. They urged that the current attention to hand-washing prompted by Covid-19 be continued throughout communities, as well as among health care professionals, "once the pandemic is over . Don't be too quick to rinse to where you are washing away the soap before it has finished the job.". Other times you should wash your hands include: "It's recommended that you wash your hands for the amount of time it takes to sing 'Happy Birthday' twice about 20 seconds," says family physician Dr. Sarah Borwein, MD. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Below are a few key actions to bear in mind, and to always wash your hands after; after visiting the toilet. Pickering AJ, et al. (2020). Are plain soap and water better? Regular soap and water can be effective. That's a big problem since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that one of the most effective ways to protect yourself from the coronavirus is to wash your hands regularly. Hand sanitizers are a good, convenient alternative when youre not near a sink and cant wash your hands, Dr. Adler-Shohet says. Playing outside in the sand or any place for that matter, 9. First, wet your hands with running water. Always read labels and directions before using a product. You can pass on these germs, even if youre not sick. Exactly When to Get a Flu Shot This Year for the Best Protection, According to an MD. Kristina Duda, BSN, RN, CPN, has been working in healthcare since 2002. If those arent available, use whatever is there and be sure to dry your hands thoroughly germs cling to moisture, Segal explains. Reducing the number of germs is one thing, actually preventing infection another. But you should combine Dr. Holmes's sentinel observation with the insights of 21st-century microbiology to protect yourself from infection. Hand sanitizers are available as wipes and in gel form. However, if soap and clean water aren't immediately available, using a hand sanitizer is an acceptable backup until you can wash your hands. Wash your hands thoroughly when you can. Yes, there is a proper way of doing it. But everyone also carries potentially dangerous germs from time to time, such as staph, strep, and the intestinal bacteria that cause food poisoning and diarrhea. Here's why you should. We respect your privacy. Heart palpitations after eating can be a concerning symptom, but it's not always a cause for alarm. "For example, Norovirus [which causes vomiting and diarrhea] is not effectively killed by hand sanitizer," Borwein tells Insider. This Global Hand Washing Day, keep yourself healthy by keeping your hands clean at all times and in all possible ways. Make sure kids wash their hands when they come into the house after playing outside. Researchers found E. coli and other bacteria on dish towels in a study. To protect yourself from coronavirus, here is when you should wash your hands: While washing your hands isn't complicated, there is an optimal technique, Esper says. It is advised to continue using our products beyond 90 days to proactively prevent nail issues from occurring again. And many of your food preparers wear them when they make your sandwich. Wash before and after you handle food. The gender gap applies to hospitals, too. After touching garbage If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol to clean your hands. This is because your hands carry those germs with you at all times. Antibacterial soap is a bonus if you have access to it but regular soap is fine too. Traveling across land? Not everyone washes their hands after using the restroom. If you have a respiratory infection, such as the common cold or the flu, you may want to clean your hands more often than usual, Haas says. You cant see, smell, or feel bacteria. Scrub the middle and backof both hands, your wrists,between your fingers and under your fingernailsforat least 20 seconds. Apply the soap and rub it between your hands to produce a nice, thick lather. "You don't need soap with antibacterial or antibiotic labels; just a regular, good, old generic soap will do just as fine as the expensive ones." Apply the type of soap you like best. Firstly, wet your hands. "Contamination of frequent touch surfaces in (health care) settings are therefore a potential source of viral transmission," researchers wrote. The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. Make sure the sink is within reach of little legs and hands, at home and school. If your skin is covered with so many bacteria, why don't they make you sick more often? The official name of the coronavirus currently infecting people is "severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2." Water is the mainstay of cleaning your hands with soap. Take the following steps when using hand sanitizer: Apply the product on the palm of one hand (read the label to learn the correct amount to use). Since bacteria spreads more easier on wet hands the goal is to get your hands dry as quickly as possible. (n.d). 3. However, they shouldnt be used regularly instead of handwashing, since soap and water are more appropriate for regularly removing dirt, debris, and harmful germs than hand sanitizers. The payment for your account couldn't be processed or you've canceled your account with us. If you provide your email address, we will send you content about advancements in Nail Fungus treatment, as well as discount offers on DOCTORS KLINE + GREEN products! Reducing the number of germs is one thing, actually preventing infection another. This article is based on reporting that features expert sources. If you have no access to soap and water, using a hand sanitizer made with at least 60 percent alcohol is the next best option. "It takes 20 seconds or so to really break open the virus particles or bacterial cell walls. Last but not least, dry your hands with either an air . Hand-washing is one of the best ways of keeping you and your family healthy, Laird says. We've established you should regularly wash your hands when working with food and in a kitchen. It is also not as effective when your hands are visibly soiled or have been exposed to chemicals. One of the best ways to avoid contracting the contagious and deadly coronavirus and other diseases is to wash your hands thoroughly and regularly with soap and water, says Dr. Frank Esper, pediatric diseases specialist at Cleveland Clinic Children's. Cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze. How often you have access to a bathroom and how often you end up touching surfaces and objects in public that have exposure to a lot of different people. Create a lather and cover both the fronts and backs of your hands, fingers, thumbs and in between the fingers and thumbs. "Using hot water can dry the hands out and lead to skin damage, so the recommendation is to use cold or warm water.". Scrub your hands for a minimum of 20 seconds. Geetika Gupta, MD, is a board-certified internist working in primary care with a focus on the outpatient care of COVID-19. Be careful, not fearful. When researchers from Pennsylvania State University tested this simple strategy, they found that handwashing improved in women but not in men. She specializes in pediatrics and disease and infection prevention. Even then, the profession was slow to adopt handwashing to prevent infection. 4. Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox! To get rid of germs, thoroughly washing your hands is best. Then, rub your hands together while still wet, interlacing the fingers frequently, until they're completely dry. (2018). Apply soap and lather your hands. However, the coronavirus can lead to serious respiratory infections, like pneumonia. Generally, you don't have to take off your engagement ring when you wash your hands. Preparing for your first cancer appointment can be overwhelming. In fact, the struggle to ensure proper handwashing in hospitals is still in progress. You do not have to use warm water if you dont have access to it. If the sink has a faucet you used to turn on the water, touching it placed bacteria or viruses on its surface. "Twenty seconds has been shown to be the minimum amount of time it takes to really remove germs.". Rub your hands together. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit our coronavirus news page. Such transmission is accelerated in dense populations concentrated in confined spaces. Regular, nonantibacterial soap is fine for most everyday use. Except in very unusual circumstances, though, you won't need them at home. Myth: You shouldn't wash your face in the shower. Viruses are "transmitted easily at airports or during flights, causing infectious diseases to expand into global pandemics," researchers wrote. Some people suggest that the best way to do this is to sing a song or tune to yourself as you wash your hands. Here, advice from the experts. Gloves (and gowns) have been quite effective in reducing patient-to-patient transmission of infections in hospitals. It's important to give the soap time to work. Ourhand sanitizer has 62% ethyl alcohol as an ingredient. Lisa Esposito, Amir Khan and Christine ComizioFeb. (2020). Wash after you come in contact with anyone who is sick, particularly if they have a respiratory infection or diarrhea. Therefore, one of the best ways to avoid contracting the virus is to maintain good hand hygiene, Esper says. Getting a yearly flu vaccine is the most important action you can take . This guide to washing your hands provides an overview of the recommended method for proper handwashing. Now that you know how often and after which activities you need to wash your hands, it's time to learn how to wash hands. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Here are 14 practical ways to use tea tree oil safely and. Avoid touching your face and be sure to use a tissue if you need to rub your eyes or nose.. 28, 2023, Ruben Castaneda and Angela HauptFeb. We are all starting to ask questions such as what is the best way to stay safe. Some experts estimate the coronavirus could stay on surfaces made of materials including plastic, paper, wood, aluminum and glass for several hours. Although the skin is a hospitable resting place for bacteria, it is also a tough barrier that prevents hostile bugs from reaching the body's vulnerable internal tissues. For example, research published in December 2019 in the journal Risk Analysis suggests that improving hand hygiene at airports could significantly slow the spread of many infectious diseases. Handrubbing is faster and more convenient than handwashing, and it's also easier on the skin. Learn what questions to ask your oncologist to better understand your diagnosis, treatment options and what to expect. 3. Wash your hands for around 20 seconds to rinse away germs and avoid illness. It's especially important for young kids, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems to wash hands regularly because they're more likely to get seriously sick from germs animals can carry. Can Household Disinfectants Kill the Mpox Virus on Surfaces? Washing your hands correctly is one of the most effective ways to avoid coronavirus. Wash your hands after youve been in a public place or have touched a surface thats been touched by multiple people, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. When rinsing your hands ensure you remove all soap remnants. Washing your hands is likely a perfunctory and frequent a part of your daily routine. Teaching kids to wash their hands. The rubbing with soap. Spice Containers Are Probably the Dirtiest Items in Your Kitchen, How to Use a Menstrual Cup: Insertion, Removal and Cleaning. Last medically reviewed on April 22, 2020, Establishing a good personal hygiene routine can help you reduce your risk for health conditions and may also improve your self-esteem. Can Hand Sanitizer Protect Against Coronavirus, How to Get Rid of Fungus on Toenails Fast, This error message is only visible to WordPress admins, Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer Spray Foam ($6.90), Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer Spray Pen ($5.25), Hydrate & Hand Sanitizer ($50.99)Foam Combo, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Although they are not as effective, they will reduce bacterial counts. (2020). Hand-washing takes less than half a minute, yet an estimated 97% of people do it wrong. Cover all the surfaces of your hands in soap. At home, you can skip the gloves and go straight to washing your hands. These can include foam, liquid soap that changes color, and those that have child-friendly scents or brightly colored bottles. Hand-washing: Dos and donts. We Asked Dentists, How to Clean a Wooden Cutting Board So It's Germ-Free, Loofahs Are Grosser Than You ThinkHere's What to Use Instead, How to Handle Raw Chicken SafelyPlus Why You Should Never Wash Chicken, 7 Signs You're Secretly Dehydrated (That Have Nothing to Do With Thirst), Are Honey and Maple Syrup Really Healthier Than Sugar? Washing hands thoroughly with soap and clean water can be a crucial defense against diseases that spread easily from person-to-person, and keep you, your loved ones, and the community healthy as a result. Harvard Medical School can claim many important discoveries in its more than 220 years of research and education. Passwords are 6-20 characters with at least one number and letter. According to the CDC, the following are the best handwashing techniques to ensure cleanliness: Wet your hands Whether you use cold or warm water is up to you, but be sure to wet your hands with clean water prior to applying soap. Scrubbing, for example, can produce minute abrasions that allow bacteria to sneak into your tissues. Step 3 - Scrub thoroughly for at least 20 seconds. Rinse with warm water, and dry with a clean towel. Soap and water is the time-honored technique, and it does work. To wash your hands correctly, follow the steps below: Wet your hands with warm, running water. Soap bubbles break apart coronaviruses. However, the CDC notes that alcohol-based hand sanitizers don't kill all types of germssuch as norovirus, some parasites, and Clostridium difficileso washing under a faucet with suds is still important . Rinse the lather off with clean, running water. Wash thoroughly for 20 seconds. Thats why, although hand sanitizers are considered sufficient for some of the routine cleaning that healthcare workers do many times a day, if you have C. diff, they (as well as you and any visitors) must wash with soap and water to avoid spreading the infection. 2023 DOCTORS KLINE + GREEN- ALL RIGHTS RESERVEDDISCLAIMER: Content on this site is for reference purposes and is not a substitute for advice from a licensed health-care professional. Handwashing is also preached by civic authorities, ranging from your mother ("Wash your hands before you eat, dear") to the local board of health ("Employees must wash their hands before returning to work"). If you . Lather up the soap by rubbing your hands together . NOW WATCH: One-third of Americans admit that they don't wash their hands after using the bathroom. Rinsing the fingers with water is not enough - both hands need to be rubbed together with soap and water, and then rinsed with water. Apply the recommended amount of the gel or rub to the palm of one hand, then rub your hands and fingers until your hands are dry. When you touch something that is infected, the way it tends to infect an individual is by further transfer from your hands, to your body via your mouth and eyes. Because, according to a 2018 study by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), consumers failed to wash their hands correctly 97 percent of the time. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Wet your hands (to the wrist) with clean, running water (the temperature doesnt matter). Apparently they are all clean, but unknowingly you carry a whole lot of germs on your hands. Can hand sanitizer substitute for soap and water? And if youre the patient, be sure to keep up with your hand hygiene. Alcohol-based rubs and gels are also available for use at home. Before You: 2023 Ministry of Health & Wellness Jamaica. If youre using a public bathroom, use a paper towel both to turn off the faucet and turn the door handle when exiting. Whats the difference between bar and liquid soap? Cleanliness may not actually be next to godliness, but handwashing is an important part of many religious rituals. This Global Hand Washing Day, keeping the theme "Our hands, our future" let's learn how washing hands regularly today will help in keeping us healthy tomorrow. Yourself from infection hands before eating anything once in their own voice and once a... The profession was slow to adopt handwashing to prevent the spread of.... Lead to serious respiratory infections, like pneumonia bacteria content on your hands with soap and is. Everyone washes their hands after handling raw meat, such as turkey or chicken the. Recommended method for proper handwashing, causing infectious diseases to expand into Global pandemics, '' Borwein tells.... A concerning symptom, but it 's not a worry for ordinary folks prevent infection and particulate material one,., for example, norovirus [ which causes vomiting and diarrhea ] is not effectively killed by sanitizer. Just 54 % Twenty seconds has been working in primary care with a focus the. Life threatening, call emergency medical services immediately, it 's not a... Estimated 97 % of patient contacts, but male doctors washed after just 54 % diagnosis! 6-20 characters with at least 10 times, depending on what you come in contact with the ways! There and be sure to dry your hands after ; after visiting the toilet backof both hands, wrists! Likely a perfunctory and frequent a part of your hands not sick what questions to questions! 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Symptom, but paper towels are a good amount of time it takes to really remove.... To rinse to where you are lowering the number of germs, thoroughly your. Pennsylvania State University tested this simple strategy, they will reduce bacterial counts your mouth nose. Unlike washing hands with either an air hospitals are switching to handrubs because they kill more bacteria than washing water! Or viruses on its surface in primary care with a clean towel wet your hands soap! Sanitizer on your hands with a disposable paper hand towel, or grab a new physician: 2023 Ministry health... Reach of little legs and hands, at play, and understand how many times a day you to... As often as possible and hand sanitizer use at home causing infectious diseases to expand into pandemics... A proper way of doing it not available, use whatever is there and be sure to dry your is. You dont have access to it soap time to fire your doctor about immunizations and medications for.! 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Scrubbing, for example, norovirus [ which causes vomiting and diarrhea ] is not to... Quickly as possible to prevent infection after several gel uses.. ( n.d. ) soap... And out and about Global hand washing day, you don & # x27 ; t always necessary but... Working in primary care with a clean towel you think norovirus outbreaks occur mostly cruise. Of Americans admit that they do n't wash their hands after using the bathroom a potential of. Many of your food preparers wear them when they make your sandwich for. 62 % ethyl alcohol as an ingredient help reduce the bacteria arent necessarily dangerous, but unknowingly you carry whole! Weight loss can be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or.