Personal hygiene is a necessity and typically, the first thing we take care of everyday. Yet, it is something that is not talked about as much as other health topics. Most people take personal hygiene casually and believe that it is something everyone is expected ‘to know’. However, that is not the case.
Poor personal hygiene causes illnesses. Hence, one should take appropriate measures to protect from the spread of illnesses and diseases. There are some specific things listed in this article – from using Dettol hand wash to flossing and more.
Here are some practices that improve personal hygiene
1. Hand Health – Use Hand Wash
Hands are a goldmine for germs, thus making Dettol hand wash a boon for people. Washing hands is essential because it protects from the spread of diseases. Today’s generation is more involved and is always on-the-go – making hand hygiene crucial.
Disease-causing germs can be found in the most commonly used personal objects such as keyboards and smartphones. However, areas such as doorknobs, public transport, and toilets are also full of germs. Touching such places can cause germs to spread to hands, which can eventually spread to mouth with accidental touches. Washing hands with products such as Dettol hand wash protects against the spread of communicable diseases and infections.
A study reported that better hand hygiene in children could reduce absenteeism in school. Another study said that children who followed hand hygiene practices were less likely to get sick with diarrhoea and pneumonia. Also, washing hands with Dettol hand wash will be more effective if not just hands, but the nails are neat and tidy too. Yes, nails are a hotbed for bacteria and other microbes – so keep them clean.
There are certain instances such as before eating and cooking, after visiting the washroom, coughing, sneezing, and more when hand washing is mandatory. Follow it and make it a part of personal hygiene.
2. Dental Health – Brush Twice a Day
There is no doubt that brushing leads to stronger gums and maintains teeth health. Doing it twice a day is mandatory to maintain mouth hygiene – something that is important from both personal and social point of view.
Brushing twice a day prevents gum diseases and slows down the formation of plaque. Sweet and acidic food can cause tooth erosion and hurt the enamel. Hence it is especially important to brush after eating such foods. Furthermore, along with brushing, make sure to include flossing as an essential personal hygiene practice. Just like it is recommended to use hand sanitizers when a hand wash is not feasible, use mouthwash when brushing is not possible and maintain oral health.
Moreover, giving the tongue a nice scrape while brushing is equally important. It is something people often skip, but is an essential part of everyday hygiene.
3. Body Health – Bathing
Bathing is the most crucial part of maintaining personal hygiene. Not only does it help in staying fresh and clean –it prevents various diseases too. Daily bathing helps get rid of dirt, sweat, and dead skin cells. However, it is necessary to take care of certain things like not bathing with extremely hot water. It removes essential oils from the body and leads to extreme dryness. Also, shampooing head every day causes more problems than cleanliness. Instead, try and follow healthy practices such as staying away from dusty areas or even covering your head when necessary.
Never skip washing feet. Hours of keeping feet in shoes leads to a buildup of odour and fungus. Using a good anti-bacterial soap also helps to prevent infections of the feet. Also, thoroughly clean armpits, ears, belly, elbows, groin, neck, and back everyday. These places are warm and have a lot of microbes.
4. Miscellaneous
This section may be miscellaneous, but every bit of it is as important as the three mentioned above. Follow the below-mentioned practices to maintain personal hygiene at its best.
- Change bedsheets at least twice a week to keep away acne and parasitic infections like scabies
- Use a deodorant or an antiperspirant at night to combat foul odours
- Don’t share personal toiletries such as towels, toothbrush, and more
- Cover the mouth while sneezing or coughing to prevent the spread of diseases
- Always wear clean clothes – especially underwear; it needs to be changed every day
Conclusion
There is more to hygiene than just expensive deodorants and exotic toothpaste flavours. Personal hygiene is a state of mind, one that can be fine-tuned to prevent innumerable diseases. The single most important thing is to keep hand hygiene up to the mark. Using Dettol hand wash is one way to start a journey towards a healthier tomorrow. However, every point mentioned above holds equal importance, but it will only start with small steps. So, be consciously aware of personal hygiene and live healthily.