Personal hygiene - taking care of your body

hair; clothes; feet; deodorants; clean; hygiene; image; shoes; BO; sweat; body; odour; fungal infection; wart; image; smelly; sneakers; self esteem; anti-perspirants; perfume; smoke;

Contents:

·         Smelling clean

·         Clothes

·         Shoes

·         Feet

·         Using 'smell nice' products

·         Hair

·         Teeth

 Smelling clean

·         Have youhave you ever walked into a classroom full of kids when all the windows are closed? PhWew!!

·         According to the experts young kids may sweat but they don't start having body odour (BO) until they reach puberty. That's when special sweat glands under the arms and around the genitals roar into full production pouring out sweat which smells!

·         Solution: Wash often, shave hair but take note if you are not reacting to shaving stick, use roll on,

Clothes

 

Even if you're not heavily into puberty style sweating, clothes can get stained, dirty and generally grubby, so you need to change them often.

Underclothes are right next to your skin and collect dead skin cells, sweat and possibly other unmentionable stains. Overnight bacteria start to work on these stains so your clothes do not smell as nice on the second day of wearing.

Stay away from cigarette smoke as the smell will get into your clothes and hair. Ask your family not to smoke in the house or the car.

If you have to wear a school uniform then take it off as soon as you get home and hang it up to air before you wear it the next day.

Change underclothes often. E.g singlet for men and under wear-ladys

 

Shoes

 

 

You spend a lot of time on your feet and your shoes are very close to the place where a very large collection of sweat glands live - your feet!

Sweat gets into your shoes and then bacteria arrive which love the moist leather or fabric so much that they tell all their friends to come round and party!

·         If you have one pair of shoes for school then try to get them off as soon as you get home so that they can air and dry out overnight. (As you get older somewhere outside the house is a good place!)

·         If you have more than one pair then use them on alternate days to give them a better chance of drying out.

·         Keep your shoes clean by brushing, polishing or washing. They will look better, last longer and be less likely to smell.

 

Feet

 

 

Wash your feet well at least once a day.

Dry them carefully, especially between the toes. If the towel is too thick to get in between your little toes, then use a dry face washer (keep it for your feet only).

If you go swimming a lot or use public showers, you need to be particularly careful to wash your feet and dry them well. It is a good idea to wear thongs on your feet too.  Lots of other people walk in bare feet in these places and you can easily pick up fungal infections or other problems for your feet, such as warts! (See our topic Fungal infections for more information.)

Hair

The hair follicles [which the hair grows from] produce oil which keeps the hair smooth. You also have sweat glands in your scalp, and dead skin cells come off the scalp. The oil, sweat and dead cells all add together and can make hair greasy and look dirty unless you wash it regularly.

To keep your hair clean:

·         wash regularly with shampoo (cheap ones are often as good as very expensive ones).

·         massage your scalp well. This will remove dead skin cells, excess oil and dirt.

·         rinse well with clear water.

·         conditioner is helpful if you have longer hair as it makes the hair smoother and easier to comb, but hair doesn't need to have conditioner.

·         use a wide toothed comb for wet hair as it is easier to pull through.

Teeth

·         You should brush your teeth twice a day – once you wake up before breakfast and before you go to bed.

·         During the day, fill your mouth with water and swish it around to get rid of anything sticking to your teeth. (See our topic about Caring for your teeth to find out more.)

Some advice from Ben in Grade 6

·         "Personal hygiene is very important because no-one likes to be close to a person who stinks and is dirty.  So, whoever you are and wherever you go remember:
Wash your hands before you eat and your feet before you sleep."
 

However, if you feel sick or unhappy or hurt yourself, it is important to tell your mum or dad, a teacher or another grown-up. Some children have died from fear of telling.

·         Hygiene Habits for KidsWashing hair

Washing hair

Most young children can get away with washing their hair two or three times per week. Washing hair too often can dry out young scalps, making them more prone to dandruff.

As kids enter their tweens and teens, the hormonal effects of puberty take hold, sometimes making their hair greasy. Washing their hair with shampoo may be necessary at least every other day.

·         Bathing

Bathing

Young children either love the bath or hate it. On non-shampoo days, you can make a thorough bath into a fun game. Have your child put on their bathing suit and place them into the tub with a washcloth, a bowl of warm, soapy water, and a bowl of warm water for rinsing. Make sure they know to put the washcloth into the soapy water before scrubbing a body part and then into the rinse water before repeating.

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·         Skin care

Skin care

Toddlers and preschoolers still need parents to help them with skin care. Skin blemishes such as the following are common at this age:

·         rashes

·         bumps

·         scabs

Before your child gets dressed after their bath, help them look over their skin from head to toe to make sure they don’t have any new blemishes that need care.

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·         Skin care for teens

Skin care for teens

Like their hair, teenagers’ skin becomes oilier with puberty. A number of acne-reducing medications are on the market, but people can sometimes overlook the benefits of simply washing with water and mild soap. Teach your teen to wash their face two to three times per day and to avoid picking at pimples.

As for makeup, make sure your child knows that sharing can spread infection and that going to sleep with makeup on can wreak havoc on their skin.

·         Oral hygiene

Oral hygiene

Clean teeth and gums can prevent a wide range of health issues, including bad breath, cavities, and heart disease later in life. Your child should brush and floss at least twice per day, if not after every meal. Older children can carry toothbrush kits in their backpacks so that they can brush at school. Younger children can help you time the full 2 minutes that a good brushing requires.

·         Underarm care

Underarm care

Washing underarms and wearing deodorant is a rite of passage many tweens and teens may dislike or ignore. Sweat starts to become body odor at different ages, but it often starts around 9 or 10 years old. Talk to your child about the importance of washing under their arms, especially after sports practice. Depending on how heavily your child sweats, you may want to choose an antiperspirant, not just a deodorant. Deodorant controls bacteria and adds scent, while an antiperspirant also helps to minimize sweating.

·         Hand-washing

Hand-washing

Hand-washing is an integral piece of good hygiene. Washing before and after meals, after playing in the dirt or with pets, and after being in contact with someone who’s sick is the best way to eliminate germs. Tell your child about the importance of scrubbing with soap for the amount of time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice. Hand sanitizers aren’t as effective as soap and water, so use them only in a pinch.

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·         Nails

Nails

Fingernails are a breeding ground for bacteria. The germs that live under your child’s nails can easily transfer to their eyes, nose, and mouth. Invest in a good nail brush and help your child scrub the dirt out from under their nails before bedtime. A weekly clipping will help get rid of dirt and reduce the possibility of painful ingrown nails.

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·         Toileting

Toileting

Once young children become toilet trained, you’ll need to focus on the habits that keep little parts clean. Teach them to wipe thoroughly from front to back and wash their hands when they’re done. These healthy habits will help minimize irritation and keep infections at bay.

·         Menstrual cycle

Menstrual cycle

Once girls start wearing makeup and begin menstruating, there are some hygiene habits specific to their needs. Encourage your daughter to keep a chart of her cycle so she’ll know when to have feminine hygiene products available. Periods may be irregular for the first two years, so help her learn to be prepared. 

http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetailsKids.aspx?p=335&np=289&id=2146#4

http://www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/hygiene-habits-kids#11