Personal hygiene is the act of keeping yourself clean and well-groomed. In addition to its social implications, personal hygiene plays an important role in preventing both the spreading and contracting of disease. By observing basic rules of good personal hygiene, it is possible to lower the risk of developing certain infections and chronic health conditions.
Types
Personal hygiene affects every aspect of your life, including physical health, social acceptance, appearance and many others. The most important aspects of personal hygiene include good toilet practices, dental hygiene, wound care and general hygiene practices, like bathing and hand-washing.
Personal Hygiene and Infection
Bacteria occur naturally in feces and can cause disease when they enter the mouth via your food, water or hand-to-mouth contact. Improper toilet hygiene can result in serious bacterial infections like hepatitis A and E. coli infection. Viruses that cause gastroenteritis ("stomach flu") can also be contracted following fecal contact, making good toilet hygiene vital to preventing infection.
Recently, the role of dental hygiene in preventing serious inflammatory disease has come to light. According to the Mayo Clinic, poor dental hygiene has been linked to stroke, heart disease and clogged arteries. It can also lead to gum diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis, which may result in tooth loss. Other conditions that may be affected by oral hygiene, include diabetes and pregnancy complications like premature birth.
Tips for Staying Well
The restroom is a primary location for germs of all kinds. Avoid touching things in public restrooms, and wash your hands thoroughly before exiting. Females should wipe from front to back to prevent spreading bacteria from the anus to the urethra, which can result in urinary tract infection, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Brush teeth two to three times daily following meals and floss each night before retiring to rid the teeth and gums of bacteria. Brush teeth from top to bottom and along the gum line, using a gentle circular motion for at least two minutes. Remember to brush the tongue, which is a major source of germs in the mouth.
Wound care is another important aspect of personal hygiene. Wash wounds daily in cool running water and always wash hands before changing dressings. Cover wounds before handling food, and place a plastic bag over the area before bathing to prevent disturbing it.
Prevent the Spread of Illness
As important as it is to avoid contracting infectious illnesses, it is also important to prevent spreading them to others when you are sick. Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing; dispose of used tissue immediately after use. Avoid sharing drinks or eating utensils with others, and stay home from work, school and other public places until well to avoid exposing others to contagious illnesses, like chicken pox or the flu.
Considerations
As the name implies, personal hygiene is a personal issue. People with chronic health conditions, like AIDS or diabetes, may require additional oral hygiene measures and should take extra care to prevent contracting infectious illnesses, like hepatitis and the flu, which can be especially dangerous to those with weakened immune systems.
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