Keep your hands clean

A number of infectious diseases can be spread around from one individual to another by contaminated hands, particularly gastrointestinal infections and hepatitis A. Washing them thoroughly and drying afterwards help remove germs. This is a habit that you must practice after you expose your hands to touching your pets, preparing food and many other daily and routine activities.

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Soaping and rinsing should cover the areas between fingers, nails and back of the hand. Hands should be dried with a clean towel after wash. The towel at the wash stand has to be washed and changed every day. Use a good hand cream after washing them if they become dry. Pay attention to your fingernails when you wash your hands. Remember to trim your finger and toe nails.

Eliminate Bad Breath

Bad breath is caused by food trapped in cavities after eating. Garlic and onion are two of the usual contributors to bad breath. Other causes of bad breath are tobacco, beer, plague deposits and gum disease. This can be taken care of by paying proper attention to your basic personal hygiene. Brushing your teeth at least thrice daily, proper gargling or rinsing after meals etc can help get rid of bad breath problem.

Body Odor

Body odor makes you feel uncomfortable and insecure in the company of others.  Body smells are caused by a number of factors such as:

• Chemicals in sweat, including pheromones, which are made by the body.
• The actions of bacteria that live on the skin and feed on dead skin cells and sweat.
• Wastes excreted through the skin, such as metabolised alcohol.
• Unwashed clothes, such as undergarments and socks.

To control strong odor wash daily with an anti-bacterial or antiseptic soap and after bath, dust yourself with a fine talcum powder. Wear clean clothes that are free of staining and sweat. Use a body deodorant that is also an antiperspirant, which will dry up moisture in the armpits. Always drink plenty of water, both to flush your system of toxins and to regulate your bowels.

Clean your feet

Grooming of the feet may be of last concern to worry about for many of us. It is important to take care of the cleanliness of your feet to keep problems such as bad foot odor and foot diseases at bay.  Foot odor is caused when the sweat does not evaporate and bacteria feed on it. A few tips to prevent bad foot odor:

• Wash the soles of your feet and in between your toes with water and antibacterial soap regularly.
  
  
• Soak your feet in kosher salt solution.
  
  
• Use antiperspirant or foot deodorant.
  
  
• Give your feet a good scrubbing with a pumice stone or mildly abrasive brush when taking a bath, and before you put on your socks, dry carefully between your toes.
  
  
• Use clean and comfortable socks. Wash and change them daily. Try wearing a clean pair of cotton socks every day; this will pamper your feet and keep them dry and not smelly.
  
  
• Take care of your feet and your shoes. Choose the right shoes. Wash and air them. Sprinkle your shoes to absorb moisture. If you have more than one pair then use them on alternate days to give them a better chance of drying out.
  
  
• Switch to wearing open toed sandals or thongs especially in public showers or swimming pools. Lots of people walk in bare feet in these places and you can easily pick up fungal infections or other problems for your feet, such as warts.

Hair Care

Hair is referred to as your crowning glory. It is best to keep your hair at a length and style which is easier to maintain. Wash your hair at least once a week using soap or mild shampoo. Avoid shampoos with borax or alkalis. Rinse well as this is more important than working up a head full of lather. Carefully towel-dry your hair after you wash it, and be cautious with the blow dryer. Avoid direct blow hair-dry as direct heat can cause damage to your hair.

Especially if you have long hair, brush your hair three to four times a day with a soft bristled brush or a wide toothed comb for wet hair. Wash your brush and comb every time you wash your hair. Oil the scalp, once a week, preferably an hour before hair wash. Avoid hair coloring dyes since there are no completely safe or permanent hair dyes as of now. Most of them contain chemicals which can seep into your scalp and even cause premature hair loss.

• Dental Hygiene

• Cleanliness of Skin

• Personal Hygiene Care