Tips and tricks for skin hygiene. More about personal hygiene

The skin of a child protects the body much worse from fluctuations in ambient temperature, exposure to sunlight, various injuries and mechanical damage, as well as from the effects of various bacteria than the skin of an adult. Therefore, it is very important for the normal condition of the skin and the functioning of the body to observe the hygiene of the skin of children, daily care for it and the prevention of possible damage to it.

Remains of sweat, sebum, dead epidermal cells, bacteria, and dust accumulate on the surface of the skin. All these layers pollute the skin, clog the openings of the sebaceous and sweat ducts. Sebum and organic sweat residues, decomposing, create an unpleasant odor. Contaminated skin creates favorable conditions for the development of pathogenic bacteria, resulting in various skin diseases, eczema, etc.

Bacteria, as well as eggs of worms located on the surface of the skin, can easily get, especially from the skin of the hands, into the mouth and cause serious illnesses (dysentery, scarlet fever, typhoid fever, helminthic infections, etc.). Especially a lot of pathogenic bacteria accumulate in the folds of the skin. That is why it is so important to take care of the cleanliness of the skin, both its open parts and those covered with underwear. Change bed linen weekly.

Children need to be taught how to wash properly. During the morning washing, you must first wash your hands, washing not only the hands, but also the forearms. Then wash your face, neck, ears. It is necessary to wash with soap, as water alone cannot completely remove dirt from the skin. Soap dissolves fatty acids that accumulate on the surface of the skin as a result of the activity of the sebaceous and sweat glands. Soap also softens the epidermis and facilitates the process of removing its dead tissue. Wash your face with water at normal room temperature. Before going to bed, you should wash your face and wash your feet with lukewarm water and soap. Hands should always be washed before eating, after work, in particular after returning home from school, and after going to the toilet.

At least once a week, children should take a bath or wash their entire body under a hot shower. Only hot water with soap and a washcloth or sponge can completely cleanse the skin of dirt, dust, particles of desquamated epidermis, sebum deposits and decay products excreted with sweat, as well as clean the excretory ducts of the skin glands.

On clean skin, germs die much faster than on dirty skin. Washing the body with hot soapy water improves blood circulation in the skin. This increases the work of the heart and respiratory organs, increases metabolism. But using hot water to wash your body more than twice a week is not advisable, as this leads to excessive degreasing of the skin and leads to its dryness.

To wash your hair, it is best to use the so-called "soft" water (rain or river), which is low in lime and magnesium salts. In soft water soap lathers better and it is easier to remove dirt from the skin and hair. It is better for boys to cut their hair short. Then dust accumulates less in them and it is easier to wash them. Long hair in boys and braids in girls should be combed regularly with a fine comb.

Nails on the hands and feet should be cut short and washed thoroughly so that dirt does not collect under them. It is necessary to fight the bad habit of children biting their nails, because this is often the cause of infection with worms and infectious diseases.

The skin must be protected from frostbite and burns. Frostbitten skin is more common on the nose, ears, fingers and toes. With frostbite of the first degree, the skin turns pale, severe pain occurs. With frostbite of the second degree, the skin swells, dark red spots form and sensitivity is lost; with frostbite of the third degree, necrosis of the frostbitten area begins. In severe frosts, children should wear hats with headphones, and warm gloves on their hands. In very severe frosts, it is recommended to lubricate the exposed parts of the face with a thin layer of petroleum jelly before leaving the room. It is useful to drink warm tea, milk or coffee.

If you find signs of frostbite, you should immediately consult a doctor. But first it is necessary to restore blood circulation in the frostbitten areas of the body - move the child to a warm room, remove the frozen things, rub and massage the frostbitten areas very gently, wrap with a soft warm cloth or fur and let the body gradually warm up. Drink warm tea and call a doctor.

With frostbite of the second and third degree, rubbing should not be done, you should immediately consult a doctor. With any degree of frostbite, hot food, tea is useful. It should be remembered that frostbite most often occurs with a relatively slight frost, but with a strong wind. In frosty, windy weather, you need to be very careful, take timely precautions against frostbite in children.

Burns. You can get burned by a flame, boiling water, hot metal, the rays of the sun, alkali, acid, and the like. A first-degree burn is accompanied by redness, slight swelling of the skin, and pain. With second-degree burns, blisters form, with third-degree burns, the deeper layers of the skin are damaged, with fourth-degree burns, the affected area is charred.

You can not treat the damaged surface of the child's skin with improvised folk remedies, try to clean the wound on your own, apply bandages. You can not pierce the blisters and tear off clothes stuck to the wounds. It is necessary to remove the tissue from the damaged area, carefully cut off the adhered tissue around.

For burns of the 1st and 2nd degree, pour cool water on the affected area for 5-10 minutes, and wrap the child himself in order not to bring the body to hypothermia. Treat with an aerosol Panthenol or Olazol (one of them should always be at home) and apply a bandage of several layers of gauze or bandage. Let the child drink as much water as possible. The sterile dressing is changed once a day. If it sticks, pre-moisten it with a solution of furacilin or pale pink potassium permanganate. If after a few days the skin around the blister turns red and pus forms inside, you should see a doctor.

For 3rd and 4th degree burns, apply a clean, damp cloth, call an ambulance, and give as much water as possible to drink. An ambulance should also be called for a burn of 1-2 degrees, if the lesion has affected a large area of the body, there are open wounds, the groin, head, nose, mouth, and respiratory organs are affected.

Proper skin care contributes to the normal functioning of the body and is a basic requirement of personal hygiene. The skin performs various physiological functions. Due to the huge number of nerve endings embedded in it, it serves as the primary analyzer of external stimuli that we perceive. Skin receptors are in close multilateral relationship with the central nervous system that regulates physiological processes in the body (IP Pavlov).

The skin protects the body from mechanical, physical and chemical damage and the penetration of microbes. Great is the function of the skin as an excretory organ. By sweating, the body is freed from excess heat and many harmful metabolic products formed in the blood and tissues. The secret of the sebaceous glands protects the skin from drying out, protects it from excessive wetting with sweat, increases its elasticity and ability to withstand mechanical stress. The skin is involved in the gas exchange of the body and has some bactericidal ability due to the acidic reaction on its surface.

In the process of work and life, the skin is constantly polluted both from the outside and as a result of the physiological activity of the skin itself. The layer of dirt formed on the skin can cause mechanical blockage of the skin glands and thereby disrupt their functions. The penetration of bacteria into clogged sebaceous glands leads to the formation of folliculitis. Skin contamination rich in organic substances decomposes under the influence of microorganisms, forming fatty acids that have an unpleasant odor and irritate the skin. As a result, favorable conditions are created for the occurrence of dermatitis, pustular, fungal and other diseases.

Keeping the skin clean is achieved by regularly washing the body with hot water and soap and a washcloth. However, the daily use of hot water and soap can cause excessive degreasing, laxity, effeminacy, congestion in the skin vessels and reduce resistance to cold. The free alkali present in the soap has a degreasing effect. In laundry soap it contains up to 2%, in toilet - no more than 0.05 %.

Once a week, you should take a bath treatment at home or in the bath, and the best way is to wash in the shower with continuously flowing clean water. Bathing has long been widespread. The Russian steam bath, which is also credited with therapeutic and prophylactic significance, is very famous. In recent years, Finnish folk baths (saunas) have also been used in our country, which are distinguished by a higher air temperature in the steam room and low humidity. If in a steam bath the air temperature is maintained within 45-60 ° C, and the humidity reaches 90-100%, then in the sauna these figures are 80-90 ° C (sometimes more, which is inappropriate) and 5-15%. Due to the low humidity of the air, the sauna is better tolerated than the steam bath. It is widely used in sports practice to accelerate the recovery of strength after physical exertion and increase efficiency (A.A. Minkh, K.A. Kafarov, V.A. Kalnibolotsky).

The most polluted areas of the body need additional care: hands, face, neck and legs.

Significant bacterial contamination is often found on the surface of the hands. The role of dirty hands in the spread of intestinal infections, helminthic invasions and other diseases has been proven. From the hands, germs get on food, dishes, household items, furnishings, etc. Therefore, it is necessary to wash your hands frequently. It should also be borne in mind that up to 95% of all microbes accumulate under the nails, and their removal is achieved only with a brush. After washing, hands should be dried with a towel or, as is done in the toilet rooms of many public buildings, dried with a current of dry air - an electric towel.

Care of the hands of surgeons and dentists requires special attention.

It is enough to wash the face and neck in the morning and before going to bed. When washing the face, hot water and frequent use of soap should be avoided because of the danger of degreasing the skin. Dryness can appear from frequent rubbing with cologne. For dry skin, it is recommended to use baby or spermaceti soap. The head should be washed no more than once a week, using toilet soap. Massage, combing with a fine comb, a special brush contribute to the improvement of hair growth, since a slight pressure causes blood flow to the hair roots and enhances their nutrition.

Soiled feet and often excessive sweating require more frequent washing with soap or even water alone. To combat sweating, you should use general hardening measures that strengthen the nervous system. Of the local remedies, in addition to washing the feet with cool water at night, it is recommended to wipe the plantar surface of the feet and the spaces between the fingers with a cotton swab moistened with a 5% formalin solution, no more than 1-2 times a week. It is necessary to change socks more often, avoiding nylon and nylon products.

When sweating hands and other parts of the body, it is recommended to scrub with cologne or powder with special powders.

Skin receptors are in close multilateral relationship with the central nervous system that regulates physiological processes in the body (IP Pavlov).

If in a steam bath the air temperature is maintained within the range of 45-60 ° C, and the humidity reaches 90-100%, then in the sauna these figures are 80-90 ° C (sometimes more, which is impractical) and 5-15%. Due to the low humidity of the air, the sauna is better tolerated than the steam bath. It is widely used in sports practice to accelerate the recovery of strength after physical exertion and increase efficiency (A.A. Minkh, K.A. Kafarov, V.A. Kalnibolotsky).

The most polluted areas of the body need additional care: hands, face, neck and legs.

Significant bacterial contamination is often found on the surface of the hands. The role of dirty hands in the spread of intestinal infections, helminthic infestations and other diseases has been proven. Microbes from hands get on food, dishes, household items, furnishings, etc. Therefore, it is necessary to wash your hands frequently. It should also be borne in mind that up to 95% of all microbes accumulate under the nails, and their removal is achieved only with a brush. After washing, hands should be dried with a towel or, as is done in the toilet rooms of many public buildings, dried with a current of dry air - an electric towel.

Care of the hands of surgeons and dentists requires special attention.

When sweating hands and other parts of the body, it is recommended to scrub with cologne or powder with special powders.

Human skin hygiene

To maintain good skin condition, it is necessary that the gastrointestinal tract functions normally, and nutrition is complete. With a lack of vitamins A, B, D, C, PP, the appearance or exacerbation of certain skin diseases, including psoriasis and eczema, may occur.

To cleanse the skin of sweat, dirt, sebum, microorganisms and scales, it is necessary to regularly follow the rules of skin hygiene. It is recommended to take baths, the duration of which should not exceed 15 minutes, at least once a week. It is desirable to take a daily shower without the use of soap, while the water should be at room temperature.

Regardless of your skin type, it needs to be moisturized and nourished. When choosing cosmetics, it is necessary to take into account their composition and effect on a specific skin type.

Nourishing creams contain numerous additives that have a beneficial effect on the vital activity of cells. Such additives include vitamins, extracts, beeswax, lanolin, plant juices, stone oil. Fats and oils, which are included in the composition of cosmetic preparations, as a rule, are well absorbed, they reduce the return of water to the skin, which prevents it from drying out. In addition, they prevent microbes from penetrating the skin, and also have a protective effect on the skin from irritating environmental factors.

The importance of skin hygiene belongs to maintaining the water balance in the skin cells. To do this, you need to regularly use moisturizing lotions and creams. Moisturizing cream is universal, because its use is suitable for oily skin, and dry, especially fading, because thanks to it the skin is not only moisturized, but also vitamins, fats, biologically active components and other useful substances are added to its layers.

Hygiene of the skin of the face and neck includes washing with warm water. In the case of thin and dry skin, which is sensitive to sunlight and atmospheric influences, it is advisable not to use soap, but to use soft water - boiled, tap or rain, adding ¼ teaspoon of baking soda to 1 liter of water.

For proper skin hygiene, it is useful to take a contrast shower, which helps relieve fatigue, has a beneficial effect on the skin, and also improves its blood supply due to the fact that blood vessels periodically narrow and expand. Taking a shower is recommended to start with warm water, gradually increasing its temperature. Then you need to quickly douse yourself with cold water. Repeat the procedure 2-3 times and finish it with cold or cool water. Hypothermia should be avoided and scalding ice water should not be used.

Of no small importance is the protection of the skin from injuries, which act as a gate for pyogenic infection. For this purpose, if necessary, you need to use overalls, protective paste and special detergents.

Observing the rules of skin hygiene, it must be taken into account that the skin has a beneficial effect on the sun's rays in case of their moderate exposure, fresh air, the adoption of water procedures, including sea bathing. With the help of these measures, the resistance of the skin to external stimuli increases. In addition, it is useful to engage in physical education or sports.

Skin hygiene is the basis of personal hygiene. In order for the skin to be young and beautiful, you need to properly and regularly care for it.

For the prevention of skin diseases, it is very important to strictly observe skin hygiene rules and, if possible, eliminate harmful professional and domestic factors.

Often for new parents, caring for a baby is a certain difficulty. But the rules of child hygiene are not so complicated and easy to master.

Wash the child every time after a chair with warm running water. Before a night's sleep - evening bathing at a water temperature of 36.0-37.0 degrees. You need to use baby soap or special products for children. To care for the genitals, potassium permanganate and herbs should not be used to avoid dry skin and allergies.

After water procedures, the baby should be covered with a towel and gently blotted, but not rubbed. Without special need, do not abuse baby cream, talcum powder, oil, etc. It is recommended to wear a diaper for no more than 3 hours.

The usual hygiene of a child is also different from the hygiene of adults. The face, hands and eyes are washed with cotton wool soaked in warm boiled water. It is impossible to wipe the child's mouth, so as not to injure the delicate mucous membranes. Ears are washed during bathing.

The buttocks and armpits should be examined daily. In the formation of diaper rash, lubricate the skin with special baby oil, but you can also boiled sunflower oil.

Teaching a child the rules of personal hygiene is the most important task of parents, ensuring the full-fledged upbringing of a child. The child hygiene rules and regulations outlined below should be known to every adult in order to teach them to their children.

Regular care of the body, teeth and oral cavity is an essential element of a child's personal hygiene. It contributes to the avoidance of various health disorders, including many infectious diseases.

Washing the body with warm water with soap and a washcloth is necessary every 4-5 days. If the child attends the sports section or goes in for sports on his own, then after class you should take a warm shower. It will cleanse the skin well and have a calming effect on the cardiovascular and nervous systems, improve metabolism and speed up recovery processes.

Particular attention should be paid to open areas of the skin of the body. Adults should make sure that when washing, the child cleans not only the face, but also the neck and ears. After water procedures, you need to carefully dry yourself with a towel, as in wet places the skin can become weathered, cracks will appear.

Warm water is more suitable for washing. Hot makes the skin loose. Cold water disrupts the normal nutrition of the skin due to vasoconstriction and delayed discharge of sebaceous glands, which reduces the skin's ability to self-cleanse and contributes to the formation of acne.

The hygienic qualities of clothing depend on the physical properties of fabric fibers. Clothing serves a person to protect his body from adverse environmental factors - too low or too high temperature, wind, rain, snow, excessive solar radiation and other meteorological damage to the skin. Clothing also protects the surface of the skin from dust, dirt and microorganisms. The main purpose of clothing is to create an optimal artificial microclimate around the human body. With rationally selected clothes, a person is in a comfortable state at an air temperature of 30-33C and a relative humidity of 20-40% with a carbon dioxide content of not more than 0.8%.

So, clothing hygiene determines its main purpose - protecting a person from the adverse effects of the external environment and maintaining the required body temperature. Clothing should quickly absorb and release moisture, be sufficiently porous and easily cleaned of dirt.

Tight belts, narrow armholes, encircling elastic bands should be excluded from children's clothing. The main weight of clothing must be carried on the shoulders. Too loose, large clothing also makes it difficult to move. In accordance with the age standards of physical development, standard sizes of children's clothing have been established. One clothing size can be used for children with a height difference of no more than 10-12 cm.

The child's body is characterized by imperfection of the thermoregulatory function, the more pronounced, the younger the child. The child's clothing should have high heat-shielding properties, protect the body from cooling, but at the same time it should not contribute to overheating. Only with strict conformity of clothing to the temperature conditions of the environment, optimal conditions are provided for maintaining a constant body temperature without stressing the mechanisms of thermoregulation.

Clothing for children aged 2-3 years and for preschoolers has no significant differences. Thermoregulation at this age already reaches significant development, and the body copes better with temperature fluctuations in the outside air. There is a great opportunity to carry out hardening. The cut of clothing should provide a large access of air to the body. Pants are sewn to the knee, bottom shirts are with a large neckline. Hardened children indoors in winter can walk in socks. It is advisable to sew underwear and dresses for children of this age from cotton fabrics that have high hygienic properties and are well tolerated by washing.

Tips and tricks for skin hygiene. More about personal hygiene

More on Skin Hygiene:

Human skin hygiene