Personal hygiene activities include showering or bathing, wearing clean clothes, brushing and flossing teeth and washing and combing hair. When someone practices these activities regularly, he avoids some of the complications associated with poor personal hygiene. Those with poor hygiene should take steps to improve their habits. Improving hygiene habits eliminates some of the major effects of personal hygiene choices.
Infection
Proper hand washing reduces the spread of infection, according to the World Health Organization. Those who do not wash their hands regularly have an increased risk of transferring bacteria and other organisms from their hands to other parts of their bodies. This results in eye infections, skin infections and respiratory infections.
Employment Issues
Body odor caused by poor hygiene choices makes it difficult to obtain or maintain employment in some cases. Someone with body odor makes the work environment uncomfortable for other workers. Those workers may complain to supervisors or human resources representatives. Body odor also gives a bad impression to the customers of a company, making it necessary to resolve the issue quickly. More frequent bathing or the use of an antiperspirant may eliminate body odor and improve employment conditions.
Teasing
Children with poor hygiene habits often face bullying by their peers. In the case of J. Daniel Scruggs, his tormentors kicked him, spit on him and pushed him off of the school bleachers because he looked and smelled unkempt. Rebecca Leung of “60 Minutes” reports that one bully even threw Scruggs down the stairs at school. Bullying because of hygiene choices leads to absenteeism, inability to concentrate on assignments and emotional stress.
Mental Status
Personal hygiene choices play a role in mood and behavior. Those with good hygiene feel good about their choices, while those who have poor hygiene habits may struggle with depression and other mood problems. Poor hygiene also contributes to a lack of confidence and low self-esteem, which Kids Health from Nemours defines as a measure of self-worth and value.
Relationship Stress
People who do not bathe regularly and maintain a minimum standard of grooming may have difficulty maintaining normal friendships and intimate relationships. Because intimate relationships require close physical contact, it is difficult for someone with hygiene issues to find and keep a partner. Body odor and other hygiene issues are off-putting to those who have to come into close contact with the person. Body odor also makes it uncomfortable for friends to spend time with a person who has poor hygiene.
References
- World Health Organization: Infection Prevention and Control in Health Care for Confirmed or Suspected Cases of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 and Influenza-Like Illnesses
- "60 Minutes"; Suicide of a 12-Year-Old; Rebecca Leung; Oct. 29, 2003
- Kids Health from Nemours: The Story on Self-Esteem
- HRPeople: Handling Body Odor
- Center for Problem-Oriented Policing: Bullying in Schools
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