Personal hygiene vs covid-19

 

What is personal hygiene?

Every day, you are exposed to millions of germs and viruses and hence why personal hygiene is crucial. Personal hygiene is the practice of caring for one self’s body through, bathing, washing your hands, brushing your teeth and more. It can help you and the people around you to prevent illnesses and make you feel good about your appearance.

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Types of Personal Hygienes

 

Shower hygiene

It differs from one person to another how often you wish to shower. Nevertheless, it is recommended to shower at least every other day with soap. The application of soap helps wash out dead skin cells, bacteria and even oils.

It is also advised to wash your hair at least twice a week, as shampooing your hair and scalp rinses away skin build-up and eventually stops major hair concerns like, dandruff and oil that causes unpleasing feeling.

Nail hygiene

Studies show that a large scale of people are habitual of nail biting or best known as “onychohagia” but are you one?
Habits are hard to abandon; nail biting is known as the classical stress reliving habit. So, by regularly trimming your nails, you can maintain personal hygiene. However, it does not guarantee keeping your nails away from your teeth. Hence why it is important to keep your nails short and brush under them to clean little particles of dirt and bacterias. As it helps stop the spread of germs and viruses through your mouth and other body openings.

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Teeth hygiene

Brushing your teeth and getting white teeth will not solely result in a good dental health. Rather looking after your gums and teeth is the optimum way to prevent gum & teeth diseases and cavity. Dentists urges the importance of gently brushing teeth at least twice a day for 2-3 minutes. They also recommend brushing your teeth first thing in the morning before eating and after every meal. Additionally, floss between your teeth regularly and use antibacterial mouthwash. These practices do not only help remove all the food particles in teeth gaps that can potentially cause cavity. But also eliminates gum diseases and keeps your teeth healthy for life.

Hand hygiene

Hand wash is a key pillar of personal hygiene and has become a pattern in the middle of the pandemic. The coronavirus outbreak has normalised the practice of washing hands as a daily routine, children and elders are all now aware of hand hygiene. Yet, you should frequently wash your hands specially, when being exposed to any source of dirt.

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​So, covid-19 can be prevented through attaining the following personal hygiene practices:

​1- Wash your hands frequently and carefully

Use warm water and soap and rub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Work the lather to your wrists, between your fingers, and under your fingernails. You can also use an antibacterial and antiviral soap.

Use hand sanitizer when you don’t have soap. Rewash your hands several times a day, especially after touching anything, including your phone or laptop.

2. Avoid touching your face

SARS-CoV-2 can live on some surfaces for up to 72 hours. You can get the virus on your hands if you touch a surface like:

    – gas pump handle

    – your cell phone

    – a doorknob

Avoid touching any part of your face or head, including your mouth, nose, and eyes. Also avoid biting your fingernails. This can give SARS-CoV-2 a chance to go from your hands into your body.

3. Stop shaking hands and hugging people — for now

Similarly, avoid touching other people. Skin-to-skin contact can transmit SARS-CoV-2 from one person to another.

4. Don’t share personal items

like:

    – phones

    – makeup

    – combs

It’s also important not to share eating utensils and straws. Teach children to recognize their reusable cup, straw, and other dishes for their own use only.

5. Cover your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze

SARS-CoV-2 is found in high amounts in the nose and mouth. This means it can be carried by air droplets to other people when you cough, sneeze, or talk. It can also land on hard surfaces and stay there for up to 3 days.

Use a tissue or sneeze into your elbow to keep your hands as clean as possible. Wash your hands carefully after you sneeze or cough, regardless.

6. Clean and disinfect surfaces

Use alcohol-based disinfectants to clean hard surfaces in your home like:

    – Countertops

    – Door handles

    – Furniture

    – Toys

Also, clean your phone, laptop, and anything else you use regularly several times a day.

Disinfect areas after you bring groceries or packages into your home.

Use white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide solutions for general cleaning in between disinfecting surfaces.

7. Take physical (social) distancing seriously

If you’re carrying the SARS-CoV-2 virus, it’ll be found in high amounts in your spit (sputum). This can happen even if you don’t have symptoms.

Physical (social) distancing, also means staying home and working remotely when possible.

If you must go out for necessities, keep a distance of 6 feet (2 m) from other people. You can transmit the virus by speaking to someone in close contact to you.

8. Avoid groups gatherings

Being in a group or a gathering makes it more likely that you’ll be in close contact with someone.

This includes avoiding all religious places of worship, as you may have to sit or stand too close to another congregant. It also includes not congregating at parks or beaches.

9. Avoid eating or drinking in public places

Now is not the time to go out to eat. This means avoiding restaurants, coffee shops, bars, and other eateries.

The virus can be transmitted through food, utensils, dishes, and cups. It may also be temporarily airborne from other people in the venue.
 

You can still get delivery or takeaway food. Choose foods that are thoroughly cooked and can be reheated.

High heat (at least 132°F/56°C, according to one recent, not-yet-peer-reviewed lab study) helps to kill coronaviruses.

This means it may be best to avoid cold foods from restaurants and all food from buffets and open salad bars.

10. Wash fresh groceries

Wash all products under running water before eating or preparing.

The CDC Trusted Source and the FDA Trusted Source do not recommend using soap, detergent, or any commercially produced wash on things like fruits and vegetables. Be sure to wash hands before and after handling these items.

 

11. Self-quarantine if sick
 

Call your doctor if you have any symptoms. Stay home until you recover. Avoid sitting, sleeping, or eating with your loved ones even if you live in the same home.

Wear a mask and wash your hands as many times as possible. If you seek urgent medical care, wear a mask and let them know you may have COVID-19.