Personal Hygiene

Jan Paul V. Dungo

Personal hygiene is the self-care by which people attend to such functions as bathing, toileting, general body hygiene and grooming, Hygiene is a highly personal matter determined by individual values and practices. It involves care of the skin, hair, nails, oral and nasal cavities, eyes, ears and perineal genital areas. Personal hygiene also refers to having a good personal appearance and protecting ourselves from illnesses.

Parents, teachers and peers can greatly influence the way in which children can have an effect on personal hygiene. Educating children on good hygiene is a way to avoid the spread of infection and to keep them healthy as well. It should be taught at an early age so that it can keep children healthy in later life. The best way for parents to teach their children about personal hygiene is to lead by example. Teachers have the responsibility to educate these children by teaching them the importance of being clean since children spend most of the time in school where they are more prone or exposed to germs while being in school premises or playground.

The best way to keep the body clean and free of infection is to wash on a daily basis. This means taking a shower or bath using soap and warm water to wash away bacteria that build up over the course of the day. Bathing or showering removes accumulated oil, perspiration, dead skin cells and some bacteria, Bathing can be relaxing and refreshing which improves appearance and self-respect. Hand washing is also done to get rid of bacteria since the hands touch many objects as well as familiar objects like the nostrils, mouth and perineal genital areas. Washing hands should be done several times a day and it needs to be wash thoroughly with soup after using the toilet, touching of pets and foreign objects and before handling of food. Washing of hands will prevent bacteria from entering into the body. Clean and trim the nails of both hands because it is where germs like to hide. Nail biting should be avoided, thorough brushing teeth is important in preventing tooth decay. They should brush at least twice a day. Hair should be combed because the hair reflects a person’s feelings of self-concept and socio-cultural well-being. Clothes must be beat and clean. Personal hygiene is to keep you clean and smelling good so you don’t have to worry about bad odors coming from your body or clothes. Being clean can also boost your self-esteem.

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The author is Teacher II at San Vicente Elementary School, Apalit,

Pampanga