Importance of Healthcare: Body Hygiene

Good hygiene is vital because it helps prevent you from getting

or spreading germs and infectious diseases.

Personal hygiene is how you care for your body. This practice includes bathing,

washing your hands, brushing your teeth, and more. It is one of the most

effective ways we can protect ourselves and others from illness.

Body Odour

Body smells are caused by a number of factors working in combination,

including:

• Chemicals in sweat, including pheromones, which are made by the

body and sexually attract (or repel) other people.

• Wastes excreted through the skin, such as metabolized alcohol.

• The actions of bacteria that live on the skin and feed on dead skin

cells and sweat.

• Unwashed clothes, such as underwear and socks.

Hand washing

Most infections, especially colds and gastroenteritis, are caught when we put

our unwashed hands, which have germs on them, to our mouth. Some

infections are caught when other people’s dirty hands touch the food we eat.

Hands and wrists should be washed with clean soap and water, using a brush if

your fingernails are dirty. Dry your hands with something clean, such as paper

towels or hot air dryers.

You should always wash your hands:

• After using the toilet

• Before making or eating food

• After handling dogs or other animals

• If you have been around someone who is coughing or has a cold.

Bad breath

Bad breath can be caused by poor oral hygiene. Brush and floss your teeth

twice a day since this reduces gum disease and the chances of future tooth

decay. Use these dental care tips and make an appointment with a dentist for a

check-up if you have further symptoms.

Nail hygiene

Trim your nails regularly to keep them short and clean. Brush under them with

a nail brush or washcloth to rinse away buildup, dirt, and germs.

Tidying your nails helps you prevent spreading germs into your mouth and

other body openings. You should also avoid biting your nails.

Side effects of poor personal hygiene

Good personal hygiene habits are directly related to less illnesses and better

health. Poor personal hygiene habits, however, can lead to some minor side

effects, like body odor and greasy skin. They can also lead to more

troublesome or even serious issues.

For example, if you don’t wash your hands frequently, you can easily transfer

germs and bacteria to your mouth or eyes. This can lead to any number of

issues, from stomach viruses to pink eye.

Not brushing your teeth can lead to teeth issues and plaque buildup. Poor

dental care is also a risk factor for several serious health issues, including heart

disease.

Poor hygiene habits can also affect your self-esteem. Looking and feeling

presentable can give you a confidence boost and a sense of pride in your

appearance.

Other conditions may be prevented or the risk minimized by practicing good

personal hygiene. These are some examples:

• scabies

• head lice

• body lice

• diarrhea

• athlete’s foot

• ringworm

• hot tub rash