8 Habits of maintaining personal hygiene that must be taught to children

Applying a clean and healthy lifestyle (PHBS) is more than just getting children to wash their hands. Teaching children the importance of maintaining personal hygiene in children from an early age can create good habits that will stick with them for the rest of their lives.

Habits of maintaining personal hygiene that need to be taught to children

Here are some personal hygiene habits that you can teach your children from childhood.

1. Wash your hair regularly

Most young children need to be taught to wash their hair two to three times a week. Washing too often is not really recommended because it can make the scalp dry and more prone to dandruff.

When you start to become a teenager, puberty hormones will increase and make hair greasy. At this time, teach children to wash their hair with shampoo often, if necessary, encourage them to wash it every day.

2. Diligently take a shower

Some young children do not like bathing, while others will find bathing a fun activity. You can make the bath a fun activity by letting them soak in the bubble bath. Also prepare warm water to rinse them after soaking.

3. Caring for skin health

Preschoolers still need parental help to take care of their skin. Skin disorders that often occur at this age are red rashes, bruises, and insect bites. You can teach your child to get into the habit of checking their whole body before getting dressed. Teach them to look for any cuts or redness on the skin that need treatment.

As a teenager, hormonal changes will make your child's facial skin oilier. This increased oil production can cause facial problems such as acne. Many children underestimate facial acne by simply washing their face with water and any soap. Teach your children to wash their faces two to three days a day and teach them not to squeeze pimples.

If your child is a girl, let them know that sharing make-up with friends can spread skin infections. In addition, sleeping with makeup on is also not good for facial skin health.

4. Maintain oral and dental hygiene

Clean teeth and gums can prevent various oral health problems, such as bad breath and cavities. Teach children to brush their teeth at least twice a day if not after eating. Older children can be taught to carry a toothbrush in their bag so they can brush their teeth after school meals. Also teach children since childhood, that it takes at least two minutes to clean teeth properly.

5. Clean the armpits

Some teens may be lazy to clean their underarms properly and not use deodorant. Sweating can trigger body odor in teenagers, and often starts as early as 9 or 10 years of age. Teach your children the importance of cleaning their underarm area, especially after exercising. Depending on how much your child sweats, you can recommend antiperspirant deodorants for them. Regular deodorants control bacteria and give off a nice aroma, while antiperspirant deodorants have the added benefit of reducing sweat production.

6. Wash your hands

Washing hands is a very important pillar to build a habit of maintaining personal hygiene. Teach your child to wash their hands before and after eating, after playing in dirty places or touching animals, and after coming into contact with sick people.

Also teach about the importance of washing hands with soap. Wash your hands with hand sanitizer less effective than washing hands with running water and soap. Therefore, make it a habit for your child to use hand sanitizer as little as possible as long as there is running water and soap for washing hands.

7. Nail health

Nails can be a good place for bacteria to grow. The germs lodged in your child's nails can easily transfer to the eyes, nose and mouth. Always get your child into the habit of cleaning dirt under their nails before going to bed. Clipping your nails once a week can also get rid of dirt and lower the chances of developing anchovies.

8. Habits on the toilet

Once your child is able to go to the toilet on their own, you should also make sure that they can keep their intimate parts clean. Teach them to clean their pubic organs from front to back, and get them used to washing their hands afterward. This habit can reduce the risk of irritation and prevent infection.

For girls who are already menstruating, teach them to remember their own menstrual cycles so that they can prepare sanitary pads before menstruation. Tell them that their menstrual cycle may still be irregular in the first two years after their first period.

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