What is Personal Hygiene?

Personal hygiene may be described as the principle of maintaining cleanliness and grooming of the external body. People have been aware of the importance of hygiene for thousands of years. The ancient Greeks spent many hours Bathing, using fragrances and make up in an effort to beautify themselves and be presentable to others.

Personal Hygiene products are a billion dollar business in the commercial market, with many high profile celebrities endorsing products that aim to keep us looking our best. In fact, hygiene is actually a scientific study.

Maintaining a high level of personal hygiene will help to increase self-esteem and confidence, while minimising the chances of developing imperfections.

Poor Personal Hygiene

Failure to keep up a standard of hygiene can have many implications. Not only is there an increased risk of getting an infection or illness, but there are many social and psychological aspects that can be affected.

Poor Personal Hygiene, in relation to preventing the spread of disease is paramount in preventing epidemic or even pandemic outbreaks. To engage in some very basic measures could help prevent many coughs and colds from being passed from person to person.

Social Embarrassment

Social aspects can be affected, as many people would rather alienate themselves from someone who has bad personal hygiene than to tell them how they could improve. Bullies may use bad personal hygiene as a way of abusing their victims, using social embarrassment as a weapon.

Poor personal hygiene can have significant implications on the success of job applications or the chance of promotion; no company wants to be represented by someone who does not appear to be able to look after themselves.

Many sufferers of mental illnesses like dementia or depression may need extra support and encouragement with their personal hygiene. Their carers should make sure that they have everything they need and assist them when permitted and when possible.

Children and Personal Hygiene

Children should be taught the importance of hygiene as early as possible, with Oral Care, washing, toilet hygiene and hair care being taught as part of everyday routines. Singing songs or making a game out of the activities will help to ensure that they enjoy looking after themselves. Bath time can provide an ideal opportunity for spending quality time together, and for teaching about the importance of cleanliness. Toys such as dolls can be used to educate children in correct bathing techniques.

Food Hygiene

Probably the most important aspect of all, food hygiene is very closely associated with personal hygiene. Poor personal cleansing can have a very significant effect on the start and spread of many illnesses through contact with nutritional consumables, some that can be potentially lethal.

Aspects of Personal Hygiene

There are many contributory factors that make up personal hygiene with the main ones being washing, oral care, hair care, nail care, wound care, cleansing of personal utensils and Preventing Infection.

Personal hygiene is as it says, personal. Everybody has their own habits and standards that they have been taught or that they have learnt from others. It is essentially the promotion and continuance of good health.

Find Out More

For more information on personal hygiene, read our articles Personal Hygiene And Food Preparation and Conditions Affecting Personal Hygiene Maintenance.

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