Personal hygiene includes practices such as washing hands, brushing teeth and changing underwear on a daily basis. In addition, it includes avoiding certain foods which may contribute to yeast infections as well as maintaining a healthy weight by eating in moderation and following healthy nutrition practices.
Regular washing helps prevent body odour, infection and skin irritation, while it also removes sweat from areas like the groin and armpits that could otherwise lead to discomfort if left on the skin for too long.
Brush your teeth
An effective oral hygiene routine includes brushing your teeth at least twice daily and flossing daily, along with using mouthwash.
Everyday we come into contact with millions of germs that can make us sick. Following good hygiene habits can help prevent illness and infection while making people feel cleaner and healthier overall.
Healthdirect experts believe it’s essential to wash hands frequently, using deodorant or antiperspirants as necessary, especially during warm weather months, to reduce sweating. Also important are annual check-ups with a doctor including pap smears and pelvic exams for women.
Healthdirect provides more information on healthy hygiene practices such as covering coughs and sneezes, washing and drying hair, grooming nails without biting them, maintaining safe infant feeding hygiene (cleaning, sanitizing and storing of breast pumps, bottles and breasts), maintaining infant feeding hygiene (cleaning and sanitizing breast pumps, bottles and breasts) or maintaining safe infant feeding hygiene through NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). Registered nurses from Healthdirect are available 24 hours a day/7. For more information regarding personal hygiene practices please refer to Healthdirect’s Personal Hygiene page or call our helpline on 1800 022 222 (known in Victoria as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria) where registered nurses from Healthdirect registered nurses are available 24 hour 7 days a week – for assistance or to contact our helpline registered nurse registered nurses are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week for you!
Wash your hands
Handwashing is one of the easiest and most effective ways to stop germs from spreading. It helps prevent illnesses like colds, flu, gastroenteritis and healthcare associated infections from occurring as well as reduce harmful bacteria on your hands that could be contributing to body odour.
Clean your hands regularly throughout the day, especially before and after handling food or using the bathroom, and before touching any part of your body that involves touching the face, eyes or nose.
Wash your hands with clean running water (warm or cool) until they’re wet; apply soap liberally and rub your hands together until as clean as possible – be sure to get your fingers and nails too.
Rinse your hands thoroughly with water and dry them with paper towels before applying soap (any type will do), either regular or antibacterial; plain soap works as effectively at killing germs as antibacterial varieties do; in lieu of soap and running water, hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol can serve as an effective substitute.
Change your underwear
Unwashed underwear provides the ideal conditions for yeast infections and other skin issues to flourish, and changing it daily is recommended in order to keep sweat, bacteria and oil buildup at bay and ensure healthy skin.
Women wearing fashionable panties, thongs or tight nightwear should regularly switch up their undergarment as this type of underwear may cause irritation to sensitive genital areas. Looser styles that allow more airflow are ideal.
If you use a menstrual cup or tampon, it’s also important to change underwear regularly. Make sure that the lowest absorbency tampon meets your needs, changing it every 4-8 hours; with menstrual cups, be sure to wash it out after each use using hot water to sanitize.
Wash your intimate parts
Though our bodies are capable of cleaning themselves naturally, certain parts must still be washed on a daily basis to remain clean. Washing the vulva and anus with warm water and mild soap helps eliminate odors while encouraging healthy genital skin and protecting from potential bacteria infections.
Avoid fragranced feminine hygiene products as these can irritate sensitive skin near the vulva. Instead, opt for natural intimate washes specially formulated and clinically tested for this sensitive area, such as those specially made to clean out sebum, sweat, urine traces and menstrual blood from around the vulva.
Take care when washing from front to back as this prevents bacteria migration from the anus to vulva and infection, further supporting intimate hygiene practices like wearing breathable underwear, practicing safe sex, and avoiding douching – these practices all contribute to maintaining a balanced microbiota and pH level in vaginal areas.
