Bad personal hygiene habits and their dangers

From early childhood, parents teach their children the rules of personal hygiene. Everyone knows that you need to take a bath regularly, brush your teeth, wash your hands and put on clean clothes. Such habits have become part of the daily lives of most people. But at the same time, there are also bad hygiene habits, which many often forget about.

1. Do not cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing

Always remember how important it is to close your mouth when you sneeze or cough. This is necessary to prevent the spread of germs. But, unfortunately, not everyone follows this rule. Approximately every fourth person, being in a public place, does not cover his mouth at the time of sneezing.

It is not so difficult to cover your mouth with a handkerchief or hand every time you want to sneeze or cough. It’s not just good manners. This step helps prevent outbreaks of infectious diseases. To prevent germs from remaining in the palm of your hand, it is advisable to wash your hands immediately, or use a bent elbow instead.

2. Not taking care of your toothbrush

When it comes to oral health, it is very important to follow the rules for caring for your toothbrush. Most people just rinse it after use and put it in a glass with peace of mind. In fact, a wet toothbrush is a breeding ground for germs that subsequently enter the oral cavity. According to many studies, more harmful bacteria can be found on a toothbrush than on a toilet seat.

Microbes lurking on the bristles cause not only bad breath, but also all kinds of gum disease. After rinsing the toothbrush, it is very important to shake off all the moisture from it and store it in a special container that will protect the bristles from air penetration. Drying your toothbrush in the sun from time to time is helpful. In shared bathrooms, it is recommended to keep the brush away from the toilet (at least 2 m). A new brush is bought every three to four months.

3. Neglect to shower after exercise

Regular exercise at home or in the gym is a great way to keep yourself in good shape. But after playing sports, do not neglect the shower. First of all, water procedures after training help rid the body of sweat and odor. If this is not done, then sweat particles become an excellent environment for the development of bacteria, increasing the risk of skin diseases.

The shower stimulates blood flow, which gives the skin a healthy glow and reduces muscle pain. After active training, it is important not only to stand under running water, but also to thoroughly wash your body with soap and a sponge. During exercise, one should not forget about the timely change of sweaty clothes to clean and dry ones.

4. Don’t wash your hands after going to the toilet

Washing your hands is indispensable. This is an effective way to avoid the spread of harmful microorganisms. Most people only wash their hands after returning home from the street and after doing dirty work in the garden or garage. But not everyone pays attention to washing their hands after going to the toilet, or do it without using soap. However, this habit is necessary. In this case, it is not necessary to use active antibacterial agents — they can do more harm than good, causing dryness and irritation of the skin of the hands.

5. Brushing your teeth incorrectly

Proper oral hygiene is very important for the health of not only the teeth, but the whole body. One toothbrush is hardly enough. Dental floss must be used at least once a day, otherwise the growth of bacteria on the gums is irreversible, which subsequently leads to various diseases in the oral cavity. No matter how carefully brushing is done, the bacteria under the gums still remain, and subsequently gingivitis and bad breath appear. However, frequent use of dental floss, for example, two or three times a day, leads to accelerated erosion of tooth enamel and to caries.

6. Exfoliate frequently

In modern stores, many different exfoliating products are sold that help cleanse the skin and rid it of old dead cells. But dermatologists do not advise to get involved in peeling. It is better to refuse the habit of exfoliating the skin daily. Otherwise, it can lead to sad consequences: the skin will get severe irritation and lose its natural protection, which will quickly make the skin dry and vulnerable. Sensitive and problematic skin is especially susceptible to aggressive and frequent peeling. It is advisable to clean it with a scrub no more than 1-2 times a week. After peeling, it is very important to treat your face with a moisturizer.

7. Have a habit of cleaning your ears with cotton swabs

The easiest way to clean the ears from the accumulated sulfur in them is with the help of cotton swabs. So many do. But how safe is this method? According to the latest research by scientists, cleaning your ears with chopsticks is wrong and harmful. The wax that is in the ear helps protect it from foreign particles, dust and small insects, as well as to avoid infections. When cleaning the ears with cotton swabs, wax is often pushed deeper into the ear canal and can damage the eardrum. With careless handling, the wand itself can also hurt her. Excessive accumulation of wax and dirt in the ear can only be properly removed by a doctor.

8. Wash hands and body often

Habits of frequent bathing and washing your hands multiple times throughout the day can do more harm than good. Taking a shower or bath daily is good for removing dirt and bacteria from the surface of the skin. But there is no need to overdo it with washing. Immunologists believe that exposure to certain bacteria has a positive effect on maintaining normal immunity. People who wash their bodies several times a day have a higher risk of eczema and asthma. After excessive hand washing, the skin becomes dry, irritated and susceptible to various diseases.

9. Forget about cleaning household items

Regardless of the frequency of cleaning in the house, we must not forget about the regular cleaning of household items and electronics: door handles, faucets, shower head, remote controls, smartphones, laptops, etc. Over time, a lot of microbes accumulate on their surface and get on the body human, and then inside the body. Proper and thorough cleaning of household items helps protect the entire family from infectious diseases. In addition, it is not recommended to use gadgets when visiting the bathroom and toilet. Before sitting down at a computer or tablet, it is advisable to always wash your hands with soap and water.

10. Wrong disposal of feminine hygiene products

Women have their own bad personal hygiene habits. For example, some of the fairer sex prefer to send used tampons and sanitary pads down the toilet. Regardless of what manufacturers write on the packaging, these products can cause blockage of the drainage system. But at the same time, throwing used gaskets in the trash is also wrong. Before disposing of hygiene products, be sure to wrap them in newspaper or toilet paper so that they do not become a breeding ground for bacteria. At the same time, it is important to ensure that the trash can is cleaned daily.