Personal hygiene – Better Health Channel

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Summary

Read the full fact sheet

• Good personal hygiene is one of the most effective ways to protect ourselves and others from many illnesses, such as gastroenteritis.
• Wash your hands regularly, especially before preparing or eating food and after going to the toilet.

One of the most effective ways we have to protect ourselves and others from illness is good personal hygiene. This means washing your hands, especially, but also your body. 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 may have germs) into a bin, and using protection (like gloves or condoms) when you might be at risk of catching an infection.

Personal hygiene, such as bathing, is very much dependent on the culture in which you live. In some cultures, it is expected that you will wash your body at least every day and use deodorants to stop body smells. Other cultures have different expectations.

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 metabolised 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.

Personal hygiene for women

The vagina is able to clean itselfno special care is needed, other than washing the external genitals. Do not put anything like douches into the vagina, as the delicate skin can be damaged. Here are some personal hygiene suggestions for women:

• Menstruation – wash your body, including your genital area, in the same way as you always do. Change tampons and sanitary napkins 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 a common condition for sexually active young women. Urinating after sexual intercourse can help to flush out any bacteria that may be in the urethra and bladder.
• Thrush – some soaps and detergents can irritate the skin of the vagina, and make thrush infections more likely. Some people find that they often get thrush when they use antibiotics. Use mild soap and unperfumed toilet paper. Avoid tight, synthetic underwear. Try cotton underwear, and change regularly. There is medical treatment for thrush, so talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Personal hygiene for men

A build-up of secretions called smegma can form under the foreskin of uncircumcised men. If you are uncircumcised, gently pull back the foreskin when you have a shower and clean with water. You can use soap if you like, but make sure you rinse it off well.

Bad breath

Good dental hygiene includes regular brushing and flossing. Bad breath can be caused by diseases of the teeth, gums and mouth, such as infections. Most people have bad breath first thing in the morning because saliva is not made while you’re asleep. Some foods that can cause bad breath include garlic and onion. Mouth washes, mouth sprays and flavoured chewing gum can make your breath smell better for a while, but if you have a health problem in your mouth, you need to see your dentist.

Travelling hygiene

When travelling overseas, take special care if you’re not sure whether the water is safe. Suggestions include:

• Drink only bottled water.
• Don’t use tap water to clean your teeth.
• When you wash your hands, make sure they are totally dry before you touch any food.
• Don’t wash fruit or vegetables in unsafe water.
• If you have no other water source, make sure the water is boiled before you drink it by holding it at a rolling boil for one minute.
• Make sure any dishes, cups or other utensils are totally dry after they are washed.

Where to get help

• Your doctor
• Dentist.

Things to remember

• Good personal hygiene is one of the most effective ways to protect ourselves and others from many illnesses, such as gastroenteritis.
• Wash your hands regularly, especially before preparing or eating food and after going to the toilet.

This page has been produced in consultation with and approved
by:

This page has been produced in consultation with and approved
by:

Give feedback about this page

Was this page helpful?

More information

Content disclaimer

Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances. The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website.

Reviewed on: 30-06-2011

Personal hygiene – Better Health Channel

Actions for this page

Summary

Read the full fact sheet

• Good personal hygiene is one of the most effective ways to protect ourselves and others from many illnesses, such as gastroenteritis.
• Wash your hands regularly, especially before preparing or eating food and after going to the toilet.

One of the most effective ways we have to protect ourselves and others from illness is good personal hygiene. This means washing your hands, especially, but also your body. 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 may have germs) into a bin, and using protection (like gloves or condoms) when you might be at risk of catching an infection.

Personal hygiene, such as bathing, is very much dependent on the culture in which you live. In some cultures, it is expected that you will wash your body at least every day and use deodorants to stop body smells. Other cultures have different expectations.

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 metabolised 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.

Personal hygiene for women

The vagina is able to clean itselfno special care is needed, other than washing the external genitals. Do not put anything like douches into the vagina, as the delicate skin can be damaged. Here are some personal hygiene suggestions for women:

• Menstruation – wash your body, including your genital area, in the same way as you always do. Change tampons and sanitary napkins 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 a common condition for sexually active young women. Urinating after sexual intercourse can help to flush out any bacteria that may be in the urethra and bladder.
• Thrush – some soaps and detergents can irritate the skin of the vagina, and make thrush infections more likely. Some people find that they often get thrush when they use antibiotics. Use mild soap and unperfumed toilet paper. Avoid tight, synthetic underwear. Try cotton underwear, and change regularly. There is medical treatment for thrush, so talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Personal hygiene for men

A build-up of secretions called smegma can form under the foreskin of uncircumcised men. If you are uncircumcised, gently pull back the foreskin when you have a shower and clean with water. You can use soap if you like, but make sure you rinse it off well.

Bad breath

Good dental hygiene includes regular brushing and flossing. Bad breath can be caused by diseases of the teeth, gums and mouth, such as infections. Most people have bad breath first thing in the morning because saliva is not made while you’re asleep. Some foods that can cause bad breath include garlic and onion. Mouth washes, mouth sprays and flavoured chewing gum can make your breath smell better for a while, but if you have a health problem in your mouth, you need to see your dentist.

Travelling hygiene

When travelling overseas, take special care if you’re not sure whether the water is safe. Suggestions include:

• Drink only bottled water.
• Don’t use tap water to clean your teeth.
• When you wash your hands, make sure they are totally dry before you touch any food.
• Don’t wash fruit or vegetables in unsafe water.
• If you have no other water source, make sure the water is boiled before you drink it by holding it at a rolling boil for one minute.
• Make sure any dishes, cups or other utensils are totally dry after they are washed.

Where to get help

• Your doctor
• Dentist.

Things to remember

• Good personal hygiene is one of the most effective ways to protect ourselves and others from many illnesses, such as gastroenteritis.
• Wash your hands regularly, especially before preparing or eating food and after going to the toilet.

This page has been produced in consultation with and approved
by:

This page has been produced in consultation with and approved
by:

Give feedback about this page

Was this page helpful?

More information

Content disclaimer

Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances. The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website.

Reviewed on: 30-06-2011

Healthy lifestyle – a person’s lifestyle

Ministry of Health of the Astrakhan Region

GBUZ JSC “Center for Medical Prevention”

Memo for the population

W HEALTHY LIFESTYLE – HUMAN LIFESTYLE

A healthy lifestyle (HLS) is a lifestyle of a person aimed at preventing diseases and promoting health. No matter how perfect medicine is, it cannot save everyone from all diseases. A person is the creator of his own health, for which he must fight.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “health is a state of physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. It is known that our health is 10% determined by our genes, 20% by the environment in which we live, another 10% by the level of medical care, and the remaining 60% by a healthy lifestyle.

Healthy lifestyle includes the following main elements: rational mode of work and rest, rational nutrition, optimal motor mode, hardening, personal hygiene, elimination of bad habits and stress.

· A rational regime of work and rest is an essential element of a healthy lifestyle. The daily regimen must be built taking into account age, the nature of labor activity and the state of health. Rational alternation of physical labor and mental work is the key to good health, high performance. Also important is the alternation of work activity and rest. Sleep is an essential component of rest during the day. It is very important for health and performance is the development of the correct rhythm of sleep. You also need to be able to fully relax in a dream. An adult’s sleep should last at least 7-8 hours. What can ensure good sleep?

1. Fluff your pillows well before going to bed. It is best to use a small rectangular pillow or roll under the neck.

2. Remove all flowers and sources of strong odors from the room.

3. Do not eat at night and refrain from drinking alcohol before bed.

4. To get enough sleep, you must go to bed before midnight (lack of sleep leads to overwork of the nervous system, its exhaustion and weakening of the body).

5. Your bed should have a firm and level surface.

6. It is not recommended to sleep in front of the TV or in a room with a working computer.

7. It is better to sleep turning over from one side to the other so that the internal organs of the right and left sides rest.

8. The air in the room must be clean, for this it is good to get used to sleeping with an open window or window (at a temperature of 17-18 ⁰ C).

· Good nutrition – extremely important for health. Nutrition should be complete, i.e. contain a sufficient amount of carbohydrates (50-75%) due to cereals, vegetables, pasta; a sufficient amount of protein (10-15%) of both vegetable and animal origin; fats (15-30%) as well as vegetable and animal origin. Nutrition should be energetically balanced, i.e. the same amount of nutrients and energy should be taken into the body as was spent. Meals should be regular, at least 4-5 times a day. Breakfast is a must! The break between dinner and breakfast should not exceed 10 hours. Proper nutrition is the key to your health and active longevity.

· Physical activity is the most important condition for a healthy lifestyle and maintaining a normal weight. In the modern world, people tend to move little. Persons with a sufficient level of physical fitness are less likely to suffer from chronic diseases. On the contrary, people who lead a sedentary lifestyle are prone to obesity and the acquisition of many chronic diseases. It is useful to walk up the stairs without using the elevator. According to doctors, each step gives a person 4 seconds of life, 70 steps burn 28 calories.

Hardening is part of a healthy lifestyle. Hardening is an increase in the body’s resistance to adverse environmental factors. Hardening should be constant and consistent, they should be practiced daily.

Of all the hardening methods for , air bath hardening is the easiest. They take air baths naked to the waist, combining them with gymnastics, running or other physical exercises.

The strongest hardening effect is provided by water procedures – wiping, dousing, showering, bathing, rubbing with snow and winter swimming. Hardening with water begins with rubbing and washing a part or the whole body, then proceeds to dousing first with warm water (32-34 ⁰ C), then with room temperature water, gradually reducing it to 15-10 ⁰ C. The duration of the procedure is 2 minutes.

Hardening methods also include walking barefoot, first in the apartment on the floor, then in May-September on the ground, combining it with cold foot baths (water temperature 18-10 ⁰ C).

· Personal hygiene is the hygiene of a person’s personal life and everyday life, work and leisure, an element of a healthy lifestyle. It includes a rational daily regimen, body care, clothing and footwear hygiene. Compliance with the rules of personal hygiene contributes to the preservation of health and ability to work, and consequently, an active long life.

Quit bad habits (smoking, alcohol, drugs).

When smoking, colds and coughs are more likely to cause complications. The smoker does not inhale all the harmful substances in tobacco smoke – about half goes to those who are next to him. In families of smokers, children suffer from respiratory diseases much more often than in families where no one smokes. Constant and prolonged smoking leads to premature aging.

Limit your alcohol intake. Alcoholism has a destructive effect on all human systems and organs. The change in the psyche that occurs with episodic alcohol intake (excitement, depression, etc.) determines the frequency of suicides committed while intoxicated.

· Stress prevention, positive emotional attitude – learn to relax by imagining some pleasant scenery. 30 minutes a day is enough to increase the body’s resistance to various infections. If you learn to relax, you can activate the immune system.

WANT TO BECOME HEALTHY – LEARN TO LEAD A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE!

PROTECT YOURSELF, YOUR LIFE, HEALTH, HEALTH OF YOUR FUTURE CHILDREN!

Prepared by

Editorial and Publishing Department 90 005

GBUZ JSC “CMP” – 2016

State Autonomous Healthcare Institution of the Republic of Tatarstan “Emergency Hospital”

September 10, 2012, Monday

Why is it necessary to observe the rules of personal hygiene and what do they consist of?

What is personal hygiene?
Personal hygiene is a set of rules that help maintain health and also protect a person from disease, premature old age and death. A section of the science of hygiene called personal hygiene is the rules on how to handle your skin, teeth, genitals and those objects that surround us in everyday life. Be sure personal hygiene also affects proper nutrition, daily routine, mental state.

If you eat healthy food, go in for sports and even douse yourself with cold water, this improves the general condition of the body, increases immunity, and prolongs life.
Personal hygiene is an integral part of human culture. It is the observance of the rules of personal hygiene consciously that distinguishes each of us from animals.
One of the most important postulates of personal hygiene is skin care. This must be done not only for an attractive appearance, but also for health.

The skin is one of the largest organs in the human body. Moreover, the skin still occupies one of the first places in the body in terms of the number of functions performed. So, the skin is responsible for thermoregulation, oxygen enters the body through it, nutrients enter the blood through the skin, the skin is the most important of the sense organs. In a healthy person, the skin is clean and smooth. The appearance on the skin of any acne, redness or ulceration indicates the trouble of the whole organism. Therefore, it is necessary to constantly monitor the condition of your skin. Take a warm shower daily using a hard washcloth and soap. Do not wear underwear dirty and unwashed. Do not try to open boils or crush blackheads yourself. Choose underwear and clothes made from comfortable materials. It may not necessarily be pure cotton, many modern materials are not inferior to cotton in all respects. When going out in severe frost, put on mittens and treat exposed skin with special fatty creams.

Separate conversation about facial skin hygiene. Everything is very individual here. Depending on the type of skin and age, you should select both the means for caring for it and the method of care. So, for example, it is easiest to take care of normal facial skin. But this is very rare. With age, the skin often becomes drier. Oily skin should not be washed with hot water. The same applies to oily hair. Hot water stimulates the production of sebum. Owners of dry skin should protect it from exposure to both cold and heat. It is important to moisturize dry skin because it fades faster.

Oral hygiene is a very important component of personal hygiene. If your teeth are not in order, then the whole body suffers. In the presence of foci of caries in the mouth, with periodontitis or periodontal disease, the infection easily spreads to the sinuses, tonsils, and kidneys. Therefore, brush your teeth regularly twice a day. To do this, use a suitable toothpaste and brush for yourself. If you are not able to brush your teeth after the next meal, rinse your mouth with at least clean water. It is advisable to remove food debris using dental floss or a toothpick. You should visit the dentist once every six months.

Personal hygiene is impossible without hair hygiene. Wash your hair as often as necessary to keep it clean. It is only important to choose a shampoo.