Personal hygiene is often overlooked as part of our basic self care needs, but we must remember that it helps us to stay physically and mentally healthy. When we are not in balance, hygiene is often one of the first things to go. By breaking down what hygiene is and understanding how changes in our body can impact our body odour, we can make sure we are putting our health first. Poor hygiene provides the ideal environment for germs to grow, leaving our bodies vulnerable to infection. It can also lead to social isolation and loneliness.
Hygiene Tips
Behaviour that improves our cleanliness will lead to good health. We should all know the basics, but sometimes we overlook some things. A moisturizing soap and water are your tools to most washing needs, rinse well, and use clean towels to dry the area off completely. Here are a few reminders of what good hygiene looks like:
Regularly wash your hands
At the very least, wash your hands after going to the bathroom, after changing a baby, after touching pets or other animals, after coughing or sneezing into your hands, before eating food, before preparing food, and especially after handling raw foods like fish, meat, or poultry.
Regularly wash your body
Washing your body can be a shower or a bath. Most people do it daily, but at the very least it should be 2 or 3 times a week. How often you wash your body is up to you, but the key areas should be done daily to maintain your health. These include your genitals (including the anal area), armpits, feet, and skin folds. Use a moisturizer on your skin after washing up if you are prone to dry skin or live in dry climates to maintain your skin’s health. Dry skin can lead to premature aging, which could impact your self-esteem.
Facial hygiene
All genders should have a routine for facial hygiene. The face is the first thing people see when they look at us. Eye styes, flaky or oily skin, and clogged pores can all impact how we are perceived by others, and that can impact our self-esteem. They also put us at risk for disease and infection. Gentle, non-abrasive cleansers are best, and remove any makeup that is applied daily. Replace your makeup products regularly as bacteria thrives on them and replace or disinfect applicators regularly. This will reduce the possibility of infections or skin reactions.
Oral hygiene
Brushing your teeth twice a day helps to reduce the bacteria in our mouths, maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Flossing daily also helps to keep the plaque down. Dental check-ups can review your bite for alignment, optimizing your digestion, screen gums for disease, tooth decay which would need to be rectified, and address halitosis (bad breath). An infection in your mouth can lead to other health problems like cardiovascular disease or strokes. Our systems are all connected, and the inverse is possible too. Oral health can be compromised by diseases like diabetes. Good oral health boosts your confidence. It makes you more comfortable to smile, get in close to people when you are talking to them, or lean in for that kiss.
Hair hygiene
Find a shampoo and conditioner that work for you hair type: thin, thick, curly, straight, or chemically treated. Exfoliate your scalp to break up buildup from excess skin cells, dandruff, natural oils, hair products, and the environment. Exfoliation can be a treatment with scrubbing compounds or as simple as brushing your hair. Do your research before using any chemical products to know the risks, and ensure you have no open wounds or diseases on your head before exfoliating. Buildup can damage the hair and impact its ability to grow. Your hair can sustain a lot of damage from products, styling aids that radiate heat, and styling.
Use buildup and oil to help you determine how often you need to wash your hair, some people do it as little as once a week, while others do it daily. Sulfate-free shampoos help moisturize and reduce irritation. If you are prone to sensitive skin, this may be the route for you. Oils penetrate and serums coat to provide needed hydration for the scalp and hair.
Healthy hair looks shiny, feels smooth to the touch, and has minimal breakage versus hair that is dull, feels rough, and has split ends. Unhealthy hair can also be an indicator of underlying health issues so if you’ve had a dramatic change in your hair for the worse, consult your doctor.
Nail hygiene
Clean and trim your fingernails and toenails regularly. Grime can build up under your nails, from dirt, bacteria, dead skin cells, and more. The longer the nails, the more likely you will see buildup. By keeping your nails clean, you prevent the transmission of disease. Artificial nails are also great hosts for bacteria to thrive in. Yes they can look fabulous and make you feel good, but ensure to keep an eye on your nail health.
Are you a nail biter? Reading about nail hygiene might remind you to kick the bad habit. Chronic nail biting can damage your nails and the surrounding area, making you vulnerable to infection. Nail biting is often attributed to stress and anxiety so getting to the root cause of the behaviour is also beneficial for your self care.
Your toenails can also be a flag for other conditions. Keep an eye out for fungus, flaky nails, or infections. Seek the help of a medical practitioner if your nails on your fingers or toes don’t look right.
Feminine hygiene
A clean and healthy vagina is vital to women’s health. The vagina has an acidic pH value, and disrupting that balance can lead to bacterial or yeast infections. Wipe from front to back when going to the bathroom, even if you just urinated. Wear cotton underwear (at least the crotch insert) to minimize the risk of bacteria entering the vagina. Change pantyliners/pads/tampons frequently even if they look clean. The recommendation is every 4-8 hours, but base it on your flow, the type of product you are using, and what feels comfortable to you. It is not hygienic to wear them for long periods of time, you run the risk of bacteria and infection. Ensure to have a regular screening with your family doctor or gynaecologist, and book an appointment if you are itchy down there, feel pain, or experience a change in smell.
Do I Smell?
Yes, we all smell! Some just smell better than others. Our body odour is caused by a mix of bacteria and sweat on our skin. Our smell can change due to hormones, the food we eat, an infection, medications, or underlying medical conditions. Anxiety causes us to sweat, which makes us smell. It can also cause us to breathe through our mouths, which can increase bacteria and give us bad breath. The beauty industry has made a fortune on our natural stink. You can find an array of scented products to deal with or mask your body odour. From soaps, body washes, deodorant, body sprays, toothpaste, mints, perfumes, colognes, and more, there is a product out there for you.
Contributors to Your Natural Odour
Your Natural Scent
Humans are attracted to the scent of others and hormones impact how we smell. The change in female hormone levels affects how they smell to a potential mate, making them more attractive to men when they are ovulating. Women are also attracted to men that have a different immune system to that of their own, which is unconsciously detected through scent. As we age, our natural scent changes too. If you have kids, when they hit puberty is when you most likely start smelling some funkiness!
Scent Flags
Physical and chemical changes in our bodies due to illness can also impact how we smell. A person with diabetes or kidney disease tends to have sweat that smells like ammonia. Fishy smelling urine can be a sign of a urinary tract infection or kidney problems. Highly processed foods rich in refined sugars mess up the chemical composition of your blood. When some of these chemicals are excreted via sweat, they smell really bad. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies can also alter the smell of your sweat.
Foods
Foods like garlic and onions are notorious for causing bad breath. They are also released through your skin’s pores, adding to your overall stink. Other foods that have a similar effect are eggs, and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts. This is because of the sulfur they contain, and the more you eat, the more you smell. The same goes for foods high in spices, you can smell them on the skin. Staying hydrated is key to reducing your bad smells. Drinking plenty of water helps replenish the sweat you lose, and keeps your mouth fresher.
Good hygiene
Regular hygiene and choosing products that have a scent that appeals to you will help keep you smelling good throughout the day. Be aware that in certain settings, fragrances are not welcome, and be cognizant of your colleagues sensitivities. Opt for deodorants free of aluminum and parabens to reduce health risks, but not everyone needs to wear them. Some people are genetically predisposed to not have armpit stink. And finally, wearing clean clothes will make you smell better. Especially if you choose lighter fabrics in warmer temperatures, and loose-fitting clothes year-round that don’t make you sweat more.
What is your hygiene routine?
Look at your hygiene practices and see if anything needs to change to optimize your self care. Make sure you book your annual check-up with your health team, not just physical, but oral and mental too. Ladies, don’t forget to incorporate your gynaecological practitioner as well. Screenings help with early detection of medical conditions, and book appointments when an issue arises. Be aware of what is normal for your mind and body, only you can be the best advocate of your own health. A change in your odour can be a flag to guide you in knowing if something is wrong, or if you need to step up your hygiene. Having a positive mindset about hygiene can help you see it as a ritual to nurture your mind and body.
IMAGE CREDIT: Unsplash | Melissa Jeanty.