Body Hygiene
Body Hygiene For Babies:
Baby hygiene is most important for babies or toddlers. Not only feeding or putting the baby to sleep healthy hygiene habits also need to be a part of the baby’s growth and development.
1. Cloth Diapers: Cloth diapers play a very important role in this. Cloth diapers come in different designs, forms and sizes. Nowadays you get disposable diapers and it comes with Velcro closures or snaps. Other cloth diaper accessories include absorbent liners, diaper covers to protect leaks and double diapers for extra protection at night. Babies are safe with cloth diapers as there are no diaper rash, bottom irritations and other common complaints. Disposable diapers cause these symptoms. Diapers with natural organic materials are preferred since they may reduce discomfort. They are very much baby-friendly. Cloth diapers are cute and are available in fashionable colours and prints. When the baby is born, it is important to clean the umbilical cord before putting on the diaper, you can clean it with cotton dipped in antiseptic. In the case of a male baby, if he is circumcised, wipe the area with soap and water and keep clean.
2. Bathing The Baby: Bathing the baby thrice a week should be good enough. Give the baby a sponge bath with a sponge dipped in warm water till the umbilical cord heals and wipe with a soft towel, use a baby talcum powder to keep the baby smelling sweet and fresh. It is better not to use soap on the baby’s face, a mild baby soap for the body is advisable. Be gentle with the baby while bathing.
3. Ears And Nose: Do not wash the insides of the ears, wash the earlobes with water. Do not use cotton buds to clean the insides of the baby’s ears, it might hurt the eardrum and the baby will have difficulty with hearing. Wipe around the nose of the baby and clean out dirt and mucus from the nose gently, cause this might cause breathing problems for the baby. If you find that the baby is tugging at his ear’s or nose, and is crying, consult your pediatrician.
4. Nails: It is sensible to keep the baby’s nails short and clean. If the nails are long, the baby might scratch himself and get dirt into his mouth. Babies have soft and tender nails, so be careful while cutting. The best time to cut nails is when the baby is sleeping. Use a nail clipper to cut the nails, do not look for alternatives. Also, clean the toenails and keep them clean so that dirt does not accumulate.
Body Hygiene For School Going Children:
Young kids sweat but they do not have body odor until they reach puberty. Principles of body hygiene should be taught to children from a young age. Illnesses are most common among children relating to personal hygiene. They are exposed many germs while they are in the school environment or a play area. There are some precautions which children should follow to have good body hygiene.
1. Clothes: Clothes do get stained and dirty after use, so they should be changed often. Undergarments are close to the skin and collect dead skin cells, stains and sweat. Bacteria starts to work on these stains and the clothes don’t smell good if worn the next day. So if you have to wear your uniform the next day, make sure to remove it when you reach home, hang it out in the air so it will be ready to wear the next day. Stay away from fumes and cigarette smoke as it makes the body and hair smell.
2. Shoes: As you spend a lot of time on your feet, they start to sweat and get moist quite a lot, reason being a lot of sweat glands live around your feet. When you reach home, remove your shoes and air it out so that it will be dry and odorless and ready to be worn the next day. If you have another pair of shoes, you can wear each on alternate days. You should clean your shoes regularly by wiping, polishing, washing or brushing.
3. Hair: The hair follicles produce oil glands which keep the hair smooth. You also hair sweat glands which give a bad odor and dead skin cells too. The hair gets greasy and dirty unless you don’t wash it regularly, using a shampoo or special child products. Rinsing well with water and using a conditioner afterward is useful.
4. Feet: Make sure to wipe between the toes after you have had a bath cause it can cause fungal infection and cuts. It is better to wear slippers if you are using a public shower cause many people walk barefeet in these places and you can easily pick up fungal infection.
5. Using Perfumed Products: There is nothing better than body hygiene. Instead of using body deodorants and perfumes, it is better to keep clean and bathe on a regular basis as perfumes and deodorants are not a substitute for a bath. Using a feet powder after a bath will keep it fresh and sweet smelling. You can also use inner soles for shoes, which can be removed and washed, making the shoes smell less.
6. Keeping Teeth Clean: You must brush your teeth once in the morning after getting out of bed and once at night before going to bed. This removes all the food particles and bacteria which sits in the mouth, giving it a bad odor.
