Skin hygiene and infection prevention
Hygiene is more than just cleaning our body. It includes the practices that help us stay healthy. Good hygiene not only saves us from many diseases but also makes us feel good about ourselves and our bodies. Good hygiene includes regularly washing the body, hair, brushing and flossing the teeth. While a certain amount of bacteria is harmless to our body, a buildup of bacteria can lead to many diseases. So, good hygiene is necessary for us to stay healthy. The skin is made up of two layers. The outer layer consists of dead skin which shed from time to time and the inner layer made of blood vessels, glands etc. the oil glands secrete oil to keep the skin from drying out. Washing of the skin makes it free of the dirt, excess oil and dead skin.
When children grow up they experience physical and mental changes due to certain hormonal changes. It becomes extremely important for them to give more time and care in cleaning their body while dealing with bad breath, acne or a stronger body odor.
Skin hygiene particularly of the hands, has been accepted as a primary mechanism to control the spread of infectious agents through fecal -oral transmission. In industrialized countries due to changes sociological patterns (eg. frequent consumption of commercially prepared foods, expanded childcare facilities) the risk of exposure to infectious agents has increased many folds.
Washing hands can prevent the common cold bacteria from spreading and infecting others. Though most of the people wash their hands they generally do not follow the proper washing procedure. Wash your hands with mild soap and warm water. Rub both the hands against each other, work up the leather and then rinse off. Wash the back and front of your hands and the wrists as well. However washing a damaged skin is less effective is reducing bacteria than the normal skin.
During puberty sweat glands especially those near under arms become very active as a result the person perspires more. When he perspires more he gets stronger body odor. Generally taking bath regularly is enough to control the body odor still some people who are prepared to go beyond that can use deodorants and antiperspirants. Deodorants work to cover up the body odor, while antiperspirants work to control, or dry up, perspiration. Some people even prefers to use perfume, cologne, or a scented soap, While there’s nothing wrong with these products, it’s important to be careful about irritating sensitive skin. During adolescence the hormone triggers the oil glands and makes them more active. They produce more sebum which results in clogging of skin pores and acne breakouts. So, keeping your skin clean can prevent the frequent occurrence of acne.
For good care of the skin it is recommend that a person washes his face two times a day with a mild soap or gentle cleanser. It is best to avoid washing too often, as the skin will become dry out. If the natural oil of the skin is washed away, the skin may become very dry and begin to itch and flake. When the skin’s natural process is interrupted, the skin may begin to produce more oil than usual, which can cause more breakouts of acne. Dermatologists also recommend that people avoid sharing makeup as it can increase the spread of bacteria. There are certain scalps problems which occur even though one’s hair is clean. However, good hygiene can prevent infection. Head lice are one of them. These parasites causing itching on the scalp and can lead to bacterial infection due to constant itching. Head lice are spread through personal contact and through sharing things such as combs, brushes, and hats. So, avoid sharing combs, brushes and hats with others. However, the problem is treatable by using a cream, lotion, or shampoo, all of which are available at pharmacies. Dandruff is another scalp problem which needs much attention. It causes swelling on the upper layer of the scalp. Dandruff can be treated using medicated shampoos and lotions available in the medical stores. There are shampoos available for all hair types. How often a person shampoos varies and depends upon that individual’s hair type. Proper oral care is also necessary to prevent tooth decay, gum diseases and bad breath.
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