PERSONAL HYGIENE

Personal Hygiene is the basic concept of cleaning, grooming and caring for our bodies.

One of the most effective ways we have to protect ourselves and others from illness is good personal hygiene.

This means washing our hands (especially), but also our bodies.

It means  being careful not to cough or sneeze on others; cleaning things that you touch if you are unwell; putting items such as tissues (that are covered in germs) into the dustbin; and using protection like gloves when you might be at risk of an infection.

Some personal hygiene tips for women

• Menstruation: Wash your body, including your genital area in the same way you always do. Change your tampons and sanitary towels regularly, at least four to five times a day. Always wash your hands before and after handling a tampon or pad.
• Cystitis: is an infection of the bladder. This is common in sexually active young women. Urinating after sexual intercourse can help flush out any bacteria that may be in the urethra and bladder.
• Thrush: Some soaps and detergents can irritate the skin of the private parts and make thrush infections more likely. Some people find they often get thrush when they use antibiotics. Use mild soap and unscented toilet paper. Avoid tight , synthetic underwear. Try cotton underwear and change them regularly.

Some personal hygiene tips for men

• Men generally have more body hair than women; this body hair traps bacteria, dirt and odors. In fact, it is the bacteria built up on the skin and within hair follicles that smell, and not the sweat.
• Sweat does not have an odor. A man’s natural sweat helps to release a chemical only found in men that actually triggers sexual arousal in women. The foul odor of bacteria masks the scent of this natural chemical.
• Most men have a bad habit of soaking themselves in hot water and barely toweling off before dressing. Instead, you should rinse yourself in cold or tepid water and dry your body completely, especially under your arms and around your groin where moisture is a foregone conclusion.

Personal Hygiene tips for children

• As a parent, you can motivate your child to take a bath by making bath time fun by including bath toys, fun-shaped soaps and bubble bath.
• While bathing your child, you can inspect him for any injuries, sores or rashes.
• Show your child how to clean himself by washing his entire body, including his face, armpits, feet, hands and genital area.
• Schedule bath time at the same time every day so it becomes part of your child's routine and not an activity that is experienced as an interruption of playtime.
• Your child should brush his teeth twice a day --- once in the morning and then before going to bed.
• Good oral hygiene can keep cavities at bay, and by assisting your child in brushing his teeth, he will learn how to do it himself.
• To encourage good oral hygiene, have your child pick his own toothbrush in the store. You can find soft toothbrushes with cartoon characters on them right in your neighborhood supermarket.  Age-appropriate toothpastes in various child-friendly flavors can also help make tooth brushing an enjoyable experience.
• Get your child used to going to the dentist at an early age so that regular checkups become routine.
• Encouraging your child to wash his hands before eating, after using the restroom, after playing or petting animals, is essential.
• Place a stool in front of your sink to give your child easy access to soap and water.
• Provide paper towels to dry hands after washing them.
• Reward your child for practicing good hygiene. It will motivate him to continue.
• Your child's hair should be washed once or twice a week.  You can purchase tear-free shampoos to make the process somewhat easier.  After washing your child's hair, you should comb through your child's hair. Good hair care will make early detection of head lice easier, so you can treat it accordingly.

Spread the word, not the germs