As well as having negative social affects, poor hygiene and hand washing causes health problems. Poor hygiene can cause sickness and disease. Poor hygiene can also cause social rejection and may also lead to bullying, low confidence and low self-esteem.
Although your child may not yet be going through any physical changes, it’s never too early to start establishing healthy personal hygiene habits. It’s a good idea to start bringing up these conversations and making sure they establish good personal hygiene habits early on.
How to wash your hands
Handwashing is a essential skill for children and adults of all ages
Washing your hands is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself and others from illnesses such as food poisoning and flu.
If you do not have immediate access to soap and water then use alcohol-based hand rub if available.
When should you wash your hands?
You should wash your hands:
- after using the toilet or changing a nappy
- before and after handling raw foods like meat and vegetables
- before eating or handling food
- after blowing your nose, sneezing or coughing
- before and after treating a cut or wound
- after touching animals, including pets, their food and after cleaning their cages
Washing your hands properly removes dirt, viruses and bacteria to stop them spreading to other people and objects, which can spread illnesses such as food poisoning, flu or diarrhoea.
It can help stop people picking up infections and spreading them to others.
It can also help stop spreading infections when you're visiting someone in hospital or another healthcare setting.
You can help your child to work out what skin type they have. For example, combination/normal, dry or oily. This will help you to identify the best products to use.
Make sure or advise that they:
- Thoroughly wash their face with soap or cleanser in the morning and evening
- Remove any make up before bed
- Hydrate and moisturise the skin
- Drink plenty of water and eat a healthy, balanced diet.
During puberty, the sweat glands start to develop. Body odour occurs as a result of bacteria feeding on and breaking down the sweat on the body.
You can help young people to manage this by making sure or advising that they:
- Shower daily and wearing clean clothing to avoid bacterial build up, particularly after periods of physical activity
- Use deodorant, roll on or spray. Some deodorants are also antiperspirants, which could cause people to sweat less.
Sweaty Facts!
- Sweating isn’t medically dangerous but it can be embarrassing and emotionally distressing
- Sweating doesn’t cause body odour
- Bad body odour is caused when bacteria living on the skin breaks down protein and fatty substances secreted by sweat glands
- People usually sweat in the armpits (underarms), the groin and feet (due to wearing socks and shoes)
- Many teenagers notice that they sweat more than they used to. This is normal throughout puberty (from about 10-18 years old)
If you’re worried about body odour or sweating, then you can speak to your child’s GP for advice.
Good dental hygiene is key to avoiding bad breath and other issues such as gum disease.
This includes:
- Brushing teeth twice day
- Change toothbrushes every 3 months
- Use floss to clean between teeth
- Visiting the dentist regularly
Poor foot hygiene not only causes smelly feet but can cause infections like Athletes Foot
To avoid or manage this you:
- Wash feet properly when in the shower
- Wash feet at the end of every day
- Wear socks made from natural fibres (cotton or wool) as synthetic fibres cause the feet to sweat more
- Completely dry feet before putting on socks and shoes
- Visit a GP if you feel it is getting worse or not getting any better.
Sweating
Sweaty Facts!
- Sweating isn’t medically dangerous but it can be embarrassing and emotionally distressing
- Sweating doesn’t cause body odour
- Bad body odour is caused when bacteria living on the skin breaks down protein and fatty substances secreted by sweat glands
- People usually sweat in the armpits (underarms), the groin and feet (due to wearing socks and shoes)
- When children go through puberty ((from about 10-18 years old)) they notice that they sweat more than they used to. This is normal
- Sometimes, excessive sweating can be caused by obesity or medical conditions (such as diabetes). Occasionally the problem needs to be investigated by a GP
- Avoid things that make your sweating worse (such as spicy foods or alcohol)
- Wash/shower every day to remove the odour causing bacteria
- Wear clean clothes (underwear, shirts) every day
- Use antiperspirant after washing (rather than deodorants)
- Avoid tight, restrictive clothing and man-made fibres, such as nylon
- Wearing white or black clothing can minimise the signs of sweating
- Wear socks that absorb moisture, for example thick, soft socks made of natural fibres or sports socks designed to absorb moisture. Avoid synthetics, and change your socks at least once a day.
- Buy shoes that are made of leather, canvas or mesh rather than synthetic (man-made) material