Posted on 06/04/2023
Hygiene Products and Personal Health: The Dos and Don’ts of Hygiene Practices
The practice of good hygiene is essential since it helps to prevent the spread of bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens that can cause illness. Proper hygiene practices also help to maintain healthy skin, hair, and teeth.
What is Personal Hygiene and Why is it Important?
Personal hygiene refers to the practices that individuals undertake to maintain cleanliness and promote good health. Good hygiene practices include but are not limited to, hand washing, bathing or showering, oral hygiene, hair care, nail care, and clothing hygiene.
Personal hygiene is important because it helps prevent the spread of germs and infections. Germs can be found on surfaces, in the air, and on our bodies, and can be easily transmitted to others through physical contact, coughing or sneezing, or touching contaminated objects. By practising good personal hygiene, we can reduce the risk of spreading illness-causing germs to others and decrease our own risk of getting sick.
In this article, we will discuss the dos and don’ts of hygiene practices to help you maintain good personal hygiene and health.
Dose of hygiene practices:
Wash your hands frequently
Washing your hands regularly (at least 20 seconds) is one of the most important things you can do to prevent the spread of germs, especially:
- before eating or preparing food
- after using the restroom
- after coughing or sneezing
- after touching animals or animal waste
- before and after treating wounds
- after touching surfaces in public places
- after handling garbage
- before and after caring for someone who is sick
Brush and floss your teeth daily
Brushing and flossing your teeth daily is an essential part of good oral hygiene. Here are some personal hygiene practices and tips for brushing and flossing your teeth:
Brushing:
- Brush twice a day: Brush your teeth at least twice a day, once in the morning and once before bed, for two minutes each time.
- Use the right technique: Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums and brush gently in circular motions. Don’t forget to brush the inside surfaces of your teeth, as well as your tongue and the roof of your mouth.
- Replace your toothbrush regularly: Replace your toothbrush every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles become frayed or worn.
Flossing:
- Use the right technique: Use a sawing motion to carefully enter the floss between your teeth while holding it firmly between your thumbs and forefingers. Curve the floss around each tooth in a C shape and slide it up and down the tooth, making sure to go below the gum line.
- Use enough floss: Use about 18 inches of floss each time you floss, and wind most of it around one finger on each hand.
- Be gentle: Don’t snap the floss into your gums, as this can cause pain and bleeding.
- Use a new section of floss for each tooth: Use a clean section of floss for each tooth to avoid spreading bacteria from one tooth to another.
Take a shower or bath daily
When you practice personal hygiene, you cannot overlook the importance of taking a shower or bathing daily. It helps to remove sweat, dirt, and bacteria from your skin. Use warm water and mild soap to clean your body, and don’t forget to wash your face, underarms, and genital area.
Cover your mouth whenever you sneeze or cough
Covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing helps to prevent the spread of germs. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow, and then throw the tissue away. Don’t forget to wash your hands after that.
Care for Nails
Proper nail care is important to maintain good personal hygiene and keep your nails healthy. Here are some best practices for nail care:
- Keep your nails clean: Care for your hands. Wash your hands regularly to keep your nails clean and free of dirt and bacteria.
- Trim your nails regularly: Trim your nails regularly using a nail clipper, and file them to smooth out any rough edges.
- Don’t bite your nails: Avoid biting your nails or picking at the skin around your nails, as this can lead to infections and damage to the nail bed.
- Wear gloves: Wear gloves when doing household chores or working with chemicals to protect your nails from damage.
- Keep your nails short: Keep your nails short to avoid dirt and bacteria from getting trapped under them.
- Don’t share nail tools: Avoid sharing nail clippers, files, or other nail tools to avoid the spread of bacteria and infections.
Wear clean clothes
Wearing clean clothes is an essential part of personal hygiene, as it helps to prevent the buildup of bacteria, sweat, and odours. Here are some best practices and tips for wearing clean clothes:
- Wash clothes regularly: Wash your clothes regularly, especially if you have been sweating or if they are visibly dirty. This will help to remove dirt, bacteria, and odours from your clothes.
- Sort clothes properly: Sort your clothes by colour and fabric type to avoid colour bleeding and damage to delicate fabrics.
- Follow care labels: Follow the care labels on your clothes to ensure that you wash them properly and avoid damaging them.
- Wear cotton clothes: By wearing cotton clothes, you can help maintain good personal hygiene since it’s breathable, preventing the buildup of bacteria and odours, and avoiding skin irritation and allergic reactions.
Don’ts of hygiene practices:
Touch your face
Touching your face frequently can transfer bacteria and viruses from your hands to your mouth, nose, and eyes. Avoid touching your face as much as possible, especially if you haven’t washed your hands.
Share personal hygiene items
Sharing personal hygiene items, such as towels, razors, etc. can spread bacteria and viruses between people. Avoid sharing these items with others.
Ignore skin problems
Ignoring skin problems, such as rashes, acne, or dry skin, can lead to infections and other health issues. If you have a skin problem, seek medical advice and follow the recommended treatment.
Neglect oral hygiene
Neglecting oral hygiene can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and other health problems. Make sure to brush and floss your teeth daily, and visit your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings.
Forget to wash your hands
Forgetting to wash your hands regularly can lead to the spread of germs and illnesses. Make sure to wash your hands before and after eating, after using the restroom, and after coughing or sneezing.
Essential Hygiene Products for Personal Hygiene On the Go
When you practice personal hygiene, you need to have certain products that are a must for a day:
- Hand sanitiser: Hand sanitiser is a useful product for when you are unable to wash your hands with soap and water, such as when you are on the go. It helps to kill germs and bacteria on your hands.
- Wet wipes: Wet wipes are useful for cleaning your hands, face, and body when you do not have access to soap and water. They are also helpful for cleaning up spills and messes, as well as high-touch surfaces.
- Tissues: Tissues are essential for covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, and for wiping your nose when you have a cold or allergies.
Double-check the blog and promote a hygienic and healthy environment for yourself and those around you.