Why It Is Necessary To Maintain Personal Hygiene

We know that now more than ever, hygiene is something that cant be avoided anymore and should not be taken lightly no more as it is the one thing that have kept us alive since this pandemic begun. Therefore, the priority to daily personal hygiene must be given and it only starts with small small things.

According to Google, Personal hygiene can be defined as keeping the body clean. Cleanliness is broad term that encompasses a person’s particular characteristics:

1. Bathing regularly
2. Change clothes regularly
3. Wash your hands
4. Cut your nails
5. Brushing teeth
6. Washing the scalp
7. Hair removal
8. Exercise

It is important for maintaining both physical and mental health. In people with poor personal hygiene, the body provides an ideal environment for germs to grow, leaving it vulnerable to infection.

Personal hygiene plays an important role in society. Every civilization promotes and maintains the quality and standard of cleanliness. Personal hygiene includes all those unique things, which improve the health and well being of each individual. On a social level, people may avoid a person with poor personal hygiene, which may result in isolation and loneliness

Types of Personal Hygiene

There are many types of personal hygiene. The following list is a good starting point for someone looking to build a personal hygiene routine:


Dental hygiene involves more than just having white teeth. A good dental hygiene routine can help prevent issues such as gum disease and cavities. It can also prevent bad breath.


Several million sweat glands cover the human body. When bacteria break down sweat, the process creates a smell or body odour.

Washing the body will help prevent skin irritation,as well as removing the bacteria that cause body odour. Washing the hair removes oil and keeps a person looking clean and fresh.

Hand washing

Regular hand washing is one of the best ways to avoid spreading communicable diseases.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source recommend washing the hands at certain times:

1. Before, during, and after preparing food

2. Before eating food

3. Before and after looking after anyone who is vomiting or has diarrhea

4. Before and after treating a cut or wound

5. After going to the bathroom

6. After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet

7. After blowing the nose, coughing, or sneezing

8. After touching garbage or dirty surfaces or objects

9. After handling pets or pet-related items, such as food


Fingernails may harbour dirt and germs, contributing to the spread of bacteria. It is easier for dirt and germs to collect under longer nails, so keeping them short can help reduce the risk of spreading infections.

The main objectives of maintaining a good personal hygiene is to improve quality of life, to defend oneself from sickness, to improve health itself.

Side effects of poor personal hygiene

Good personal hygiene habits are directly related to less illnesses and better health. Poor personal hygiene habits, however, can lead to some minor side effects, like body odor and greasy skin. They can also lead to more troublesome or even serious issues.

For example, if you don’t wash your hands frequently, you can easily transfer germs and bacteria to your mouth or eyes. This can lead to any number of issues, from stomach viruses to pink eye.

Not brushing your teeth can lead to teeth issues and plaque buildup. Poor dental care is also a risk factor for several serious health issues, including heart disease.

Poor hygiene habits can also affect your self-esteem. Looking and feeling presentable can give you a confidence boost and a sense of pride in your appearance.

Other conditions may be prevented or the risk minimized by practicing good personal hygiene. These are some examples:

1. Scabies

2. Pubic Lice

3. Head Lice

4. Body Lice

5. Diarrhea

6. Athlete’s Foot

7. Ringworm

8. Pinworms

9. Hot Tub Rash

Benefits of Personal Hygiene

a) Contribution to the (environment) atmosphere for health and environmental protection

b) Improves the immune system

c) Various diseases are controlled

d) Improvement in health status

e) Saves the strength and spirit of each individual through his daily activities.

f) Regular hand washing is an effective way to keep germs from spreading.

g) Regular bathing will help to remove impurities from skin and allow the pores in the skin to sweat more freely

h) Good hygiene and cleanliness enhance human communication

i) Employments such as; pharmacists and other health professionals must use high hygiene to prevent any spread of disease to the consumer.

Some avoidable habits

1. Eating at working desks

2. Leaving the dirty dishes around the public locations

3. Sneezing and not covering mouth with tissue

4. Not flushing the toilet

5. Not washing hands properly after using toilets

6. Using dirty spoons and utensils

7. Nail biting

8. Not brushing your teeth daily

Things that are mentioned above might sound like some cliched advice from your grandparents but from a different perspective it can be taken as a gentle reminder to preach these habits in your daily life to avoid any disease that can cause harm to you or your family members.

Written By - Chavi Goel

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