You're a snappy dresser sporting a hairdo that is the envy around town. You're groomed to perfection and cool in the extreme. But, just how much thought do you give to personal hygiene?
Personal hygiene can play an important role in preventing the spread of illness and keeps us healthy. In today's world in which infectious diseases can spread among people like wildfire and threaten our health and wellbeing, this is critical.
Just what is personal hygiene? It is those cleanliness practices that assist in keeping us healthy and prevent the spread of infectious diseases such as colds, flu, TB, measles and a number of others. Good hygiene practices can also promote a sense of well-being.
Just a few practices that are considered hygienic include washing your hands regularly, especially before eating; bathing regularly; wearing clean clothing, brushing your teeth; cutting your finger nails and covering your nose and mouth when sneezing.
Your medical scheme of choice, GEMS, will be there to help, especially in times of crisis when you need to have your health taken care of, but by taking ownership of your personal hygiene you will be sick less often.
In order to stay hygienic it is essential to bath or shower on a daily basis using soap to wash away bacteria that we acquire on our bodies during the course of the day and assist in the prevention of body odour. While a certain amount of bacteria on the body is inevitable and even healthy, a build up can be dangerous.
Hands touch so many things during the day and are breeding grounds for germs. We are constantly touching things and come into contact with numbers of germs some of which could potentially infect us and make us ill. Washing your hands is a good way to remove such germs from our hands and one of the best methods of preventing the spread of many kinds of infectious illnesses. Regular hand washing can both prevent you from catching germs as well as passing them on to your family and colleagues.
Hands should be washed regularly throughout the day and especially after you come into contact with objects you may consider dirty or unsanitary. You should wash your hands:
It is best to wash your hands with soap and water as washing with water alone is ineffective, because it does not remove the oils, fats and grime in which viruses and bacteria may lurk. Wet your hands with clean running water and apply soap to them. Using both your hands work the soap into a lather and then scrub them well. Be sure to wash thoroughly between your fingers, under the nails and also the backs of your hands. Rub for at least 20 seconds to ensure a good clean. Also be sure to dry your hands properly with a clean towel.
Clean nails are as important as clean hands. Bacteria often hide underneath the nails, which can cause fungal and other infections. Cleaning your nails with a mild soap, hot water and a nailbrush should keep them nice and clean. Using a hand cream or other moisturiser will also ensure your nails stay hydrated. If you are in the bad habit of biting your nails, it is a good idea to make it a priority to stop doing this. You may have germs on or under your nails and be left open to catching an infection.
Caring properly for your teeth keeps them strong, healthy and white. It is imperative that you keep that smile intact by brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day. Brushing removes plaque that causes teeth decay and cavities, and it ensures healthy gums and a fresh breath.
To clean your teeth well, it is recommended to make use of a toothpaste containing fluoride. This is also added to our water to strengthen teeth and prevent tooth decay. Remember to brush your tongue, as this is where most of the bacteria that cause bad breath hide. Flossing is another important part of dental health because it removes plaque between the teeth where your toothbrush can't reach. Flossing on a regular basis helps avoid cavities and gum disease.
Another sound hygienic practice is to cover your nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing. It is also a good idea to turn away from other people when you cough or sneeze so that you do not blast your spittle or sputum - both of which may contain disease-causing germs such as TB - at them. However, do remember to wash your hands if you have sneezed or coughed into them in order to remove any potential infections.
These simple hygiene tips can help you to avoid becoming sick and having to visit your doctor. Take control of your health today and have more time to spend on things you love doing.
References
http://www.webhealthcentre.com/HealthyLiving/personal_hygiene_index.aspx
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001957.htm
http://www.hygieneexpert.co.uk/nailcare.html
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