Mastering Personal Hygiene: Tips for a Clean and Healthy Lifestyle by Dr Rosa

 Tips for a Clean and Healthy Lifestyle

Personal hygiene

Maintaining proper personal hygiene is crucial for overall well-being as it involves keeping your body clean and free from harmful germs. By practicing good hygiene habits, you not only safeguard yourself from various infections such as gastroenteritis, colds, flu, and even COVID-19 but also contribute to preventing the spread of illnesses to others.

Key elements of personal hygiene include:

• Daily body cleaning: Regularly cleansing your body helps remove dirt, sweat, and bacteria that can accumulate on your skin.
• Handwashing: Washing your hands with soap and water, especially after using the toilet, is essential for eliminating germs and preventing the transmission of infections.
• Oral hygiene: Brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing daily help maintain dental health and prevent oral diseases.
• Respiratory etiquette: Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve when coughing or sneezing can minimize the spread of respiratory droplets containing viruses or bacteria.
• Animal contact hygiene: Washing your hands after handling pets or other animals reduces the risk of contracting zoonotic diseases transmitted from animals to humans.

By incorporating these practices into your daily routine, you can promote a clean and healthy lifestyle for yourself and those around you.

How personal hygiene important

Maintaining good personal hygiene is essential for safeguarding your health and preventing the spread of illnesses. By practicing proper hygiene habits, you not only reduce your risk of falling ill but also minimize the transmission of germs and infectious diseases to others.

Various diseases can be transmitted through:

1.  Direct contact: Germs can spread when you touch other people or their belongings.
2. Contaminated hands: Handling feces, body fluids, contaminated food, or touching dirty surfaces can transfer harmful germs to your hands.
3. Foodborne transmission: Consuming contaminated food or beverages can lead to infections.

Conditions associated with poor personal hygiene include:

1. COVID-19 and other infectious diseases: Failure to maintain hygiene increases susceptibility to various contagious illnesses.
2. Gastrointestinal issues: Poor hygiene practices can lead to diarrhea, particularly gastroenteritis.
3. Respiratory infections: Inadequate hygiene increases the risk of contracting respiratory illnesses like colds and flu.
4. Skin infections: Conditions such as scabies, staph infections, and athlete's foot can result from unhygienic practices.
5. Oral health problems: Neglecting oral hygiene contributes to tooth decay and gum diseases.
6. Eye infections: Lack of cleanliness can lead to trachoma, an eye infection that may lead to blindness if untreated.
7. Parasitic infections: Worm infestations like threadworms can occur due to poor hygiene practices.

By prioritizing good personal hygiene, you not only protect yourself from various health issues but also play a vital role in preventing the spread of infections within your community.

» Learn more: 10 way to avoid a weakened immune system.

Wash hands

Frequent handwashing is an effective measure to prevent illness by eliminating germs that may reside on your hands.

It is crucial to wash your hands, particularly:

1. After using the toilet.
2. When your hands are visibly dirty.
3. After handling waste, touching dirty surfaces, or coming into contact with contaminated objects.
4. Before and after preparing or consuming food.
5. After blowing your nose or sneezing.
6. Following interaction with pets or animals.
7. After changing a baby's diaper.
8. Before and after visiting someone who is ill.
9.  After cleaning up vomit or bodily fluids.
10. Before and after tending to cuts or wounds.

By adhering to proper handwashing practices in these situations, you can significantly reduce the risk of transmitting harmful germs and protect both yourself and others from potential illness.

How to  wash my hands

To prevent illness, it's crucial to wash your hands properly. Follow these steps:

1. Wet your hands with clean water.
2. Apply enough soap to cover all surfaces of your hands.
3. Rub your hands together vigorously for at least 20 seconds.
4. Clean between your fingers and the backs of your hands thoroughly.
5. Use a nail brush to clean any dirt under your fingernails.
6.  Rinse both sides of your hands with clean water.
7. Dry your hands thoroughly with a clean towel.
8. In public bathrooms, use a paper towel to turn off the tap to avoid recontamination.
9. If soap and water are unavailable, use hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
    。Apply sanitizer to your palms, the backs of your hands, and between your fingers.
    。Continue rubbing until the sanitizer is completely dry.

By following these steps diligently, you can effectively remove germs from your hands and reduce the risk of illness.

Washing  body

Regular bathing or showering is essential for maintaining hygiene and preventing infections, including body lice infestations.

When bathing, pay close attention to cleaning areas prone to bacterial buildup, such as underarms, genital areas (vulva or penis), and the anus.

Thorough cleansing helps eliminate bacteria responsible for body odor (BO), particularly crucial after strenuous physical activity.

Use a soapy washcloth to cleanse your body methodically. Start with your head and face, then move on to your arms, chest, abdomen (tummy), and back. Finish by cleaning your legs, genitals, and buttocks.

Opt for soap, shower gel, or hypoallergenic body wash for effective cleansing. While soap is more effective at germ removal, sensitive areas may require plain water or saltwater for gentler cleaning.

Washing genitals

Most people know more about hair care than caring for their genitals.

Care for the Penis:

If you have a foreskin (are uncircumcised), proper hygiene is essential for maintaining penile health.

To clean your penis effectively:

• Gently retract the foreskin.
• Wash underneath it with warm water and a mild soap.
• After washing, return the foreskin to its normal position.

For more guidance on penis care, refer to additional resources.

Care for the Vulva:

For the delicate skin surrounding the vulva, gentle cleansing is key.

Follow these steps:

• Use your hands and a mild soap to wash the area.
• Avoid using perfumed soaps or bath products, as they may cause irritation to the sensitive vulvar skin.
• Refrain from cleaning inside the vagina or douching, as this can disrupt the natural balance of healthy bacteria within the vagina.

Period hygiene

Maintaining good hygiene practices during menstruation (your period) is essential for several reasons:

1. Preventing infections
2. Reducing odors
3. Ensuring your comfort

Various products are available to absorb or collect menstrual blood, including:

• Sanitary pads
• Tampons
• Menstrual cups
• Menstrual discs
• Period underwear

Before and after using the bathroom, it's important to wash your hands thoroughly. Additionally, wash your hands before and after changing a tampon, pad, or menstrual cup.

Proper disposal of used disposable menstrual products is crucial. Wrap them in toilet paper and dispose of them in a rubbish bin. Avoid flushing menstrual products down the toilet to prevent blockages.

Preventing body odour

The most straightforward method to combat body odor (BO) is to maintain regular showering or bathing habits. This helps eliminate the bacteria residing on your skin.

Using soap during bathing aids in managing the naturally occurring bacteria on your skin.

After washing, ensure thorough drying of your body. Apply deodorant to your armpits. Deodorants work by making your armpits less conducive to bacterial growth and masking odors. Antiperspirants help by blocking sweat glands to reduce perspiration.

Opt for clean, dry clothing, preferably made from natural fibers such as cotton, silk, or wool, as they can help keep you dry. Wash your clothes frequently and, whenever possible, allow them to air dry outdoors.

If excessive sweating is a concern, consider scheduling a consultation with your doctor for further assistance.

Preventing tooth decay and bad breath

Poor oral hygiene can lead to bad breath and various dental issues. To maintain oral health and prevent tooth decay, consider the following practices:

1. Brush your teeth twice daily using a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
2. Clean between your teeth daily with dental floss or interdental brushes to remove food particles and plaque buildup.
3. Schedule regular dental check-ups to monitor your oral health and address any concerns promptly.

By adhering to these dental care guidelines, you can significantly reduce the risk of gum disease and tooth decay, ultimately improving your overall oral hygiene.

Resources and support

For information on teaching good hygiene habits to your children, visit healthdirect's page on personal hygiene for children.

If you seek further guidance on personal hygiene, feel free to contact the healthdirect helpline at 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to assist you 24/7.

Sources:

Elsevier (Personal Hygiene), Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Menstrual Hygiene), The Conversation (How do I clean my penis?), The Royal Women's Hospital (How can I stay healthy down there?), Queensland Health (What's the go with BO?), Australian Dental Association (3 tips to prevent tooth decay)

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Last reviewed: September 2023