Hand face interface facepalm: hints and tips

[quimcunx]

So it turns out we all touch our faces 50 times a second. I dont know about you but so far my attempts at reducing face touching, especially in relation to having to also touch things in the shared world have been risible. I am going to touch my face.

I try to do things like use a tissue or my elbow or my knuckle or my sleeve to touch things outside. Or use one hand for things and the other hand for face touching. But actually I end up using a mixture of these things and forgetting or using a tissue from my bag then forgetting and using a finger so then using my sleeve to touch my face and by the end I've used everything for everything.

Also what order to do things. Eg come in, put down shopping, go the bedroom drop coat on bed, wash hands, put away shopping.

Anyone have any tips? How did you get into good habits.

Should we as a society develop customs akin to right hand for eating left hand for arse wiping?

 

[zora]

Excellent question! And sometimes the habit changes clash as you say: As in don't start sneezing and coughing into your elbow and then also open and close the fridge door with your elbow...
Having been a prolific face toucher before, both absentmindedly scratching and deliberately massaging, I have to my own surprise reduced it by an estimated 90% from one day to the next. I am still trialling how to best do "scheduled" face touching, for that itch that won't go away or the occasional massage while sitting at my desk - I sort of tried a method of using my forefinger and middle finger for unavoidable taps, a little finger hook to hook doors open, and keep my ring finger for targeted face touching, but I don't think it's ideal, handsanitizer and tissue probably the way to go.
Told a colleague off yesterday repeatedly for chewing on pens at the shared desk..!

 

[friendofdorothy]

good question. My eyes always water alot especially when its windy or cold, which then makes my nose run, so I'm always wiping my face with my coat or a tissue. Also if you do use a tissue when out and about eg on the bus, you cant bin it and wash hands - what are you supposed to do? I always have a pocket of used tissues.

 

[quimcunx]

good question. My eyes always water alot especially when its windy or cold, which then makes my nose run, so I'm always wiping my face with my coat or a tissue. Also if you do use a tissue when out and about eg on the bus, you cant bin it and wash hands - what are you supposed to do? I always have a pocket of used tissues.

Maybe a pocket of clean whole and partial* tissues and a pocket of used tissues. If you use those little packs of tissues an empty pack could be a temp bin.

*it seems a waste to use a whole tissue for touching buttons.

Or maybe we should all wear a cotton glove on our left hand when outside. This would remind us to use that hand for touching communal things. And not to touch our faces with that hand! remove and wash as soon as we get home.

 

[SpookyFrank]

I dread to think how many times I adjust my glasses with zero awareness or conscious intent.

I use the back of my hand to touch doors etc where possible, but I also use the back of my hand to scratch my nose. It's possible there may be a problem there.

 

[SpookyFrank]

So it turns out we all touch our faces 50 times a second. I dont know about you but so far my attempts at reducing face touching, especially in relation to having to also touch things in the shared world have been risible. I am going to touch my face.

I try to do things like use a tissue or my elbow or my knuckle or my sleeve to touch things outside. Or use one hand for things and the other hand for face touching. But actually I end up using a mixture of these things and forgetting or using a tissue from my bag then forgetting and using a finger so then using my sleeve to touch my face and by the end I've used everything for everything.

Also what order to do things. Eg come in, put down shopping, go the bedroom drop coat on bed, wash hands, put away shopping.

Anyone have any tips? How did you get into good habits.

Should we as a society develop customs akin to right hand for eating left hand for arse wiping?

As a left handed person I'm not a fan of obligatory left-handed arse wiping.

 

[SheilaNaGig]

I pulled someone up for using a cloth hanky to blow her nose yesterday. I watched as she blew her nose, squidged it about a bit, then folded it up and put it up her sleeve. She said it was better than paper hankies for the sake of the planet... which is true, but also maybe do it differently for the time being.

I’m finding that wearing gloves helps me to remember not to touch my face. I wear outdoor gloves when I’m outdoors and latexy hairdressing gloves when I’m indoors with other people. If feels so odd to be wearing them that it serves to make me think when I raise my hand to my face.

I’m using the back of my knuckle to touch the ATM buttons etc. (gloves don’t work).

I’m using the hem of my jumper or my skirt to open doors, or the paper towel that I dried my hands with. Or my scarf.

I save the sleeve of my jumper to itch my eye/face/ear.

I cover my face with a scarf when I go about, which obviously doesn’t do the same job as a proper mask but it serves to stop me absentmindedly touching my face.

These days, whatever I do, no one will think me foolish.

I live alone so once I’m indoors and washed my hands, I’m free to touch my face at will. Having to police it at home would be very frustrating and anxiety provoking and I suppose the only way around that is to be super strict and zero tolerance with everyone who lives in the household. Handwashing immediately on entering, no exceptions.

I’m also changing my clothes as soon as I'm indoors, but I’ve always done that anyway.

 

[quimcunx]

We're wfh as of tomorrow but I need to go in. I think I will trial the michael Jackson method. Wear one going to work and the other inside out coming home. I will report back.

 

[SheilaNaGig]

I dread to think how many times I adjust my glasses with zero awareness or conscious intent.

I use the back of my hand to touch doors etc where possible, but I also use the back of my hand to scratch my nose. It's possible there may be a problem there.

Someone on the radio suggested that wearing glasses was better than wearing contact lenses in the effort to touch the face less. Obvious bollocks.

Those with long hair should tie it back to avoid the hair flipping, sweeping, tucking behind ears etc,

 

[farmerbarleymow]

Also what order to do things. Eg come in, put down shopping, go the bedroom drop coat on bed, wash hands, put away shopping.

I put away the shopping first (all those filthy mitts who've handled it in the shops) then wash my hands so there are no contaminents from the outside world.

I tend to rub my eyes with the heels of my hands quite a lot - oddly it seems to improve my vision even though there is no gunk in the eyes.

 

[quimcunx]

Oh. Keeping my hair off my face has definitely helped.

 

[Big Bertha]

I find wearing disposable latex gloves makes me less likely to touch my face

 

[quimcunx]

As a left handed person I'm not a fan of obligatory left-handed arse wiping.

I welcome our left handed brethren and am happy for you to swap round.

 

[Badgers]

It is a tricky one. Lot of subconscious, habitual or automatic face touching goes on. One of the only advantages of wearing a face mask is reducing your touching of mouth and nose.

Years of chef work have made me a habitual hand washer. Soap and very hot water more than a hand gel. Cancer treatment made me get into the habit of washing hands after using public places. That said I am a nail biter, smoker and face toucher when not cooking/worrying.

Have been making an effort to wash hands after being in public places or shared areas since this started. It is still hard to stop habits though

This post is probably no help at all...

 

[weepiper]

I am reducing it considerably by imagining I am at work when I am not. When I work I wear latex gloves that are covered in filthy oily bike ming so I avoid touching my face because I would get dirty marks. It's definitely helping.

 

[quimcunx]

My understanding is that very hot water is pointless, even not good. Comfortable temp water is best. Cold water is fine. The issue with cold water is that people tend not to wash for as long. Same would probably apply to uncomfortably hot water

 

[Badgers]

My understanding is that very hot water is pointless, even not good. Comfortable temp water is best. Cold water is fine. The issue with cold water is that people tend not to wash for as long. Same would probably apply to uncomfortably hot water

It is a bit vague.

I understand that the alcohol gel used too much can reduce the natural protection of the skin. Also too much use cracks the skin.

Normally I wash up or wash hands in hot water. At this time I have some good (?) antiseptic soap and use warm water.

Am probably less worried than most as working from home most of the last month and full time now. It is more after going to the shop or town etc.

 

[kittyP]

I touch my face a lot and the more I think about trying not to the more I fucking do
I really struggles to wear proper gloves for any length of time as they make my fingers feel numb and weird.
Maybe surgical gloves would be better but I don't have any of those.
I really don't know what the answer is apart from don't leave the house.
At least its easier for me at home as it is only me here and I am not a risk of passing it around.

 

[farmerbarleymow]

My understanding is that very hot water is pointless, even not good. Comfortable temp water is best. Cold water is fine. The issue with cold water is that people tend not to wash for as long. Same would probably apply to uncomfortably hot water

I always use cold water, and once you've wetted your hands you don't need to keep them under the flow of water until you're done.

 

[SheilaNaGig]

I touch my face a lot and the more I think about trying not to the more I fucking do
I really struggles to wear proper gloves for any length of time as they make my fingers feel numb and weird.
Maybe surgical gloves would be better but I don't have any of those.
I really don't know what the answer is apart from don't leave the house.
At least its easier for me at home as it is only me here and I am not a risk of passing it around.

I'm not wearing surgical gloves, just hairdressing gloves or catering gloves. They're cheap and easy to find.

 

[ash]

Using a pen to press lift buttons etc - keep it in my pocket

 

[quimcunx]

We need more pockets!

 

[Steel Icarus]

My habit of tickling my nose, lips and cheeks with a hair is going to be very difficult to stop.

 

[SheilaNaGig]

Using a pen to press lift buttons etc - keep it in my pocket

But what if you touch the contaminated end of the pen?


I'm not OCD myself but I do worry and wonder about how this is impacting on those who have hygiene ritual OCD issues.

 

[ash]

But what if you touch the contaminated end of the pen?

Good point - literally it’s hard work really to think what to do !


I'm not OCD myself but I do worry and wonder about how this is impacting on those who have hygiene ritual OCD issues.

 

[kittyP]

I'm not wearing surgical gloves, just hairdressing gloves or catering gloves. They're cheap and easy to find.

Where?
I mean I know you get a pair in with hair dye but

 

[SheilaNaGig]

Where?
I mean I know you get a pair in with hair dye but

Not those transparent ones that come in the box of hairdye.


In any chemist I reckon. Or in the pound shop. I buy mine in the hairdressing supply shop (we have several in Brixton with miles of aisles of products of all kinds). I reckon you could get a box of gloves from a DIY shop too. I've seen small packs in the supermarket (look for "disposable gloves") and I see them on Amazon too.

I think they're also called "food safe gloves".

VINYL GLOVES - POWDER FREE, NON LATEX AND CLEAR, 100 GLOVES IN BOX, SIZE MEDIUM - NEW: Amazon.co.uk: Health & Personal Care

VINYL GLOVES - POWDER FREE, NON LATEX AND CLEAR, 100 GLOVES IN BOX, SIZE MEDIUM - NEW: Amazon.co.uk: Health & Personal Care

www.amazon.co.uk

MediHands Clear Vinyl Powder Free Gloves | Food Safe | Disposable | Latex Free | Small - Pack of 100 : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

MediHands Clear Vinyl Powder Free Gloves | Food Safe | Disposable | Latex Free | Small - Pack of 100 : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

www.amazon.co.uk

KeepClean Latex Powdered Disposable Gloves White Large 100 Pack

Order online at Screwfix.com. Large. 100% latex. Clean-grip gloves supplied in a dispenser box. Approved for use in food preparation. FREE next day delivery available, free collection in 5 minutes.

www.screwfix.com

Ansell VersaTouch 92-200 Nitrile Powder-Free Disposable Gloves Blue X Large 100 Pack

Order online at Screwfix.com. Nitrile gloves which offer a combination of high resistance and grip. Thin and flexible design to maintain excellent dexterity. Textured fingertips provide good comfort and tactility for sensitive, precise handling. Approved for food contact applications. Ideal for...

www.screwfix.com

 

[SheilaNaGig]

These are goth black and apparently grippy.

Site Scale Textured Supergrip Nitrile Powder-Free Disposable Gloves Black Large 50 Pack

Order online at Screwfix.com. Large. Extra thick, nitrile disposable gloves offering excellent protection against diluted chemicals and oils. Fish scale embossed pattern on both sides for enhanced grip. FREE next day delivery available, free collection in 5 minutes.

www.screwfix.com

ETA

Wearing gloves also means that when I take them off (to eat or itch my eye) in know my hand was clean when I put the gloves on. And I can wash the outside of the gloves with soap and water when Im out and about. And I can use a new pair if one breaks or whatever.

To be clear: I'm wearing them mainly to remind myself that I need to be mindful and careful, not because I think the gloves themselves are going to protect me from any infection.

 

[kittyP]

Not those transparent ones that come in the box of hairdye.


In any chemist I reckon. Or in the pound shop. I buy mine in the hairdressing supply shop (we have several in Brixton with miles of aisles of products of all kinds). I reckon you could get a box of gloves from a DIY shop too. I've seen small packs in the supermarket (look for "disposable gloves") and I see them on Amazon too.

I think they're also called "food safe gloves".

VINYL GLOVES - POWDER FREE, NON LATEX AND CLEAR, 100 GLOVES IN BOX, SIZE MEDIUM - NEW: Amazon.co.uk: Health & Personal Care

VINYL GLOVES - POWDER FREE, NON LATEX AND CLEAR, 100 GLOVES IN BOX, SIZE MEDIUM - NEW: Amazon.co.uk: Health & Personal Care

www.amazon.co.uk

MediHands Clear Vinyl Powder Free Gloves | Food Safe | Disposable | Latex Free | Small - Pack of 100 : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

MediHands Clear Vinyl Powder Free Gloves | Food Safe | Disposable | Latex Free | Small - Pack of 100 : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

www.amazon.co.uk

KeepClean Latex Powdered Disposable Gloves White Large 100 Pack

Order online at Screwfix.com. Large. 100% latex. Clean-grip gloves supplied in a dispenser box. Approved for use in food preparation. FREE next day delivery available, free collection in 5 minutes.

www.screwfix.com

Ansell VersaTouch 92-200 Nitrile Powder-Free Disposable Gloves Blue X Large 100 Pack

Order online at Screwfix.com. Nitrile gloves which offer a combination of high resistance and grip. Thin and flexible design to maintain excellent dexterity. Textured fingertips provide good comfort and tactility for sensitive, precise handling. Approved for food contact applications. Ideal for...

www.screwfix.com

Ah yes I think Halfords might do them.

Just incase where are the hairdressing supply places in Brixton?

 

[kittyP]

These are goth black and apparently grippy.

Site Scale Textured Supergrip Nitrile Powder-Free Disposable Gloves Black Large 50 Pack

Order online at Screwfix.com. Large. Extra thick, nitrile disposable gloves offering excellent protection against diluted chemicals and oils. Fish scale embossed pattern on both sides for enhanced grip. FREE next day delivery available, free collection in 5 minutes.

www.screwfix.com

ETA

Wearing gloves also means that when I take them off (to eat or itch my eye) in know my hand was clean when I put the gloves on. And I can wash the outside of the gloves with soap and water when Im out and about. And I can use a new pair if one breaks or whatever.

To be clear: I'm wearing them mainly to remind myself that I need to be mindful and careful, not because I think the gloves themselves are going to protect me from any infection.

Yes I get that, Thank you for your help.
I know I am a bit of an obsessive face toucher