Personal hygiene does not begin and end with taking a shower and spraying on a perfumed deodorant so as not to offend. It is an ongoing process that requires diligence throughout the course of your day. Proper personal hygiene can keep you from becoming ill and from spreading germs to others. You can take certain steps to maintain an adequate degree of sanitation and cleanliness.
Disease Prevention
A number of diseases and medical conditions can be prevented or managed by frequently cleansing your body and hair with soap and water. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says proper washing can help control the amount of bacteria on your skin and stop the transmission of conditions, such as lice, ringworm, hepatitis A and diarrheal illness.
Facial Hygiene
Good facial hygiene practices can help ward off a number of diseases, including head lice and ring worm. Washing your ears may help prevent swimmer's ear, which is an inflammation or infection of the external ear canal. Make sure you thoroughly wash your hands before handling and inserting contact lenses. Good facial hygiene also extends to your mouth and teeth.
Oral Health
Oral hygiene is important to your overall hygiene. Keeping your teeth and gums clean can help prevent periodontal disease. This oral infection causes bacteria to collect under the gum tissue and can eventually destroy your gums, teeth and bone. The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste. Also, floss your teeth at least once day.
Hand Washing
Frequent hand washing is an easy and effective way to prevent illness. The CDC estimates that washing hands with soap and water can cut the number of diarrheal disease-associated deaths in half. The Mayo Clinic recommends washing your hands before you treat wounds or prepare food. Also make sure to wash your hands after sneezing or coughing, using the toilet, changing a diaper and carrying out the garbage. Hand sanitizers are also effective germ killers.
Precautions
You can help stop the spread of germs by always covering your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough. Coughing and sneezing emit small droplets that contain germs into the air. This is how people commonly catch colds and the flu.
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