Body hygiene (personal hygiene)

Most people develop a daily routine of the throughout their lives personal hygiene. This process usually begins in childhood and is copied and internalized by parents and other adults. Personal hygiene is primarily an end in itself, but it also has to do with the social environment. It thus fulfills various functions equally, whereby under the area of Personal hygiene different types of cleaning and care can be summarized.

What is the personal hygiene?

The health task that underlies personal hygiene is preventing disease. Poor personal hygiene can e.g. lead to fungal attack and an accumulation of bacteria.

In the broadest sense, the term is understood to mean the cleaning of skin and teeth. In addition, there is the care of the so-called skin appendages, which include not only toenails and fingernails but also hair.

Taking care of your teeth encompasses all of your oral hygiene, which includes not only brushing your teeth, but also the use of dental floss and other possible treatments.

Caring for the fingernails and hands is called a manicure, and caring for the feet and toenails is called a pedicure. In addition, shaving, removing body hair or trimming the hairs of the beard are also part of the body care routine. In addition to washing your hair and scalp, the same goes for cutting your hair. This can also include the use of deodorants and other fragrances to influence body odor as well as decorative cosmetics (e.g. make-up).

In addition to soap, there are various aids that serve body hygiene. Shampoos, conditioners and hair treatments are used for hair care. But hair styling products such as sprays, gels and hair foams can also be included. In the most distant sense, besides cutting the hair, this also includes the coloring of the hair.

Nail care involves cutting and filing the nail with the help of nail scissors and nail clippers, but there are also nail oils and hand creams on the market. Decorative cosmetics include make-up and hair color, as well as nail polish.

There are many different products for skin care, such as creams that serve different purposes, oils, lotions and different types of washing gels. The high number of products shows the importance of personal care in the last century.

Function & task

Body hygiene fulfills various functions that can be found in different areas. One part of personal hygiene is used to maintain health, another to increase personal well-being. In addition, a well-groomed appearance conveys a corresponding image. So the task of personal hygiene is also a socio-societal one.

In most cultures, strong body odors are perceived as unpleasant, even though they are part of non-verbal communication. They send out messenger substances to which other people react instinctively, for example pheromones.

Regular washing of the body and the use of perfumes and deodorants serve to keep these body odors as low as possible. Many products influence and regulate the body's own perspiration. In the industrialized countries, the cosmetic function has become much more important than the medical one. It ensures a feeling of well-being in your own skin and a correspondingly pleasant, appealing image that is conveyed to the outside world.

The health task that underlies personal hygiene is preventing disease. Poor personal hygiene can lead to fungal growth and a build-up of bacteria, which can cause infections. Hence, daily personal hygiene is important to keep the body healthy and prevent inflammation. This is especially true for more sensitive parts of the body such as the genital area or the oral cavity.

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Illnesses & ailments

In industrial societies, however, the problem of excessive personal hygiene is becoming more common, which in turn is not healthy. Frequent washing or the use of the wrong products can destroy the protective acid mantle. The body's own bacteria, which are supposed to fend off external attacks, are killed or weakened. This makes it easier for pathogens to penetrate the skin and also cause inflammation.

In addition, excessive washing dries out the skin. Eczema can be the result. It is similar with excessive care of teeth and hair. Too frequent brushing of the teeth can attack the substance of the tooth and cause discomfort. Too strong hair care not only affects the hair, but also the scalp. People with greasy hair quickly get themselves into a vicious circle from which it is difficult to escape: Frequent washing of the hair stimulates the production of fat in the scalp, which makes the hair greasy faster. In addition, daily washing dries out the scalp and can lead to dandruff and itchy scalp.

Apart from that, there are people who suffer from compulsive washing. This obsessive-compulsive disorder can lead to serious skin conditions and its importance can be attributed to today's society. The reason for obsessive-compulsive disorder is often the neutralization and washing away of unwanted thoughts or actions that the person concerned wants to get rid of or forget.

To a certain extent, personal hygiene is extremely important for maintaining health, but if it is exaggerated it can also lead to illness and should therefore be used consciously.