PERSONAL HYGIENE

Introduction:-
Personal hygiene is a concept that is commonly used in medical & public health
practices. It is also widely practiced at the individual level and at home. It
involves maintaining the cleanliness at our body and clothes it consist at the
body regarding bathing & washing, care of hair, nails & feet, mouth cleaning &
care teeth, care at nose & ears, clothing, post ours, exercise are creation rest &
relaxation, sleep habits & nutrition. Maintained for a person’s comfort & well
being. The nurse treatment a client’s needs and preferences while providing
hygiene the nurse must preserve as much clients independence as possible
ensure privacy, convey, respect and foster the clients physical comfort.

Definition:-
Personal hygiene is defined as that the healthy practices and lifestyle
helps in the maintenance to promotion of individual health physically
emotionally & spiritually.

Purposes:-
1. To prevent illness
2. To promote good health
3. To improve the standard of health.
4. To maintain quality life of an individual.
5. To promote mental health well being.
6. To promote socially & spiritually health.
7. To improve the self esteem in the society.
8. To maintain resistance and prevent from infection.
 CARE OF HAIR
INTRODUCTION:
»Care of hair is part of the personal hygiene. It is another way of helping the
patient feel good about him and maintain a good mental attitude.
»Hair care means maintaining cleanliness of hair i.e. free from dandruff, dirt,
nits, lice, flakes, dryness and irritation.

DEFINITION:
Hair care in the nursing interventions classification, a nursing intervention
defined as the promotion of neat, clean, and attractive hair.

PURPOSE:
 To keep hair clean and healthy.
 To promote growth of hair.
 To prevent loss of hair.
 To prevent itching, infection, dandruff, lice, flakes, dryness and irritation.
 To stimulate circulation.
 To prevent tangles.
 To promote comfort.
 To observe the scalp and hair.

Types of Hair Care:

1. Daily Care (Hair Combing): The hair should be thoroughly combed
and brushed daily. A woman usually needs more attention to the hair due to its
length.

2. Hair Wash/Bed Shampoo: Shampooing the hair in order to maintain its

cleanliness.

3.Treatment of hair (Pediculosis treatment): It is the treatment given

with DDT 5% of carbolic lotion 1:40 applied thoroughly on the scalp and it is
left for overnight, and the next day a thorough bath is given and the linen is
change.

Factors Influence on Hair:

 General health of a person
  A well-balanced diet
 Light and fresh air
 Daily practices (hair wash and combing)
 Hair brushing and massage
 Endocrine disorder

Factors Affecting Hair:

 Altered level of consciousness
 Physical weakness or disease condition
 Immobility and aging
 Insect bite and infestations
 Accumulated secretions
 Hormonal changes
 Physical and emotional stress
 Poor health practices
 Effects of drugs

Common Hair Scalp Problems:

 Dandruff – sealing of scalp accompanied by itching
 Pediculosis – lice infestation
 Alopecia – hair loss
 Tangled and matted hair
 Dryness
 Flakes
 Irritation

1. DAILY CARE (HAIR COMBING)

The hair can be combed and washed in the morning so that the patient can feel
refreshed and appear well groomed before starting daily activities.

General Instructions:
 Hair need to be brushed daily in order to be healthy.
 Long hair should be comb at least once a day to prevent it from matting.
 Teeth of the comb should be dull to prevent scratching of the scalp.
 Hair must be kept free from snarls, combed and brushed without hurting
the patient.
Preliminary Assessment:
 Doctors order for specific precautions.
 General condition and self care ability.
 Condition of the scalp and hair.
 Articles available in the unit.

Equipment Required:
 Clean comb
 Makcintosh and towel
 Coconut oil in a container
 Kidney tray and paper bag
 Kidney tray with carbolic lotion to destroy the lice and to disinfect the
comb
 One apron

Preparation of the patient and environment:

 Explain the procedure.
 Arrange the article at the bedside.
 Provide privacy and adequate light.
 Make the patient to sit on a bedside chair or stool.
 Protect the bottom sheet and pillow case with a towel.
 Protect the nurse's uniform by wearing aprons.

2. HAIR WASH/BED SHAMPOO

Hair wash/Bed shampoo is a special care of the hair may be required for
patients who are in bed for a prolonged period of time.
Shampooing the hair should be performed whenever the hair and scalp are dirty.

Purpose:
 To keep hair and scalp clean and healthy.
 To promotes sense of comfort and self, esteem.
 To complete the treatment of pediculi.
General instructions:
 The patients are given hair wash at least once a week for bed ridden
patients.
 Avoid hair wash for patients who have just taken meals at least for an
hour.
  Avoid exposure and chilling by keeping the patient covered with top
clothes.
 If the patients are very sick, note pulse before and after the hair wash.

Preliminary assessment:
 Doctors order for specific precautions.
 General condition for the patient.
 Selfcare ability
 Patient preference for soap, shampoo, oil.
 Patient's mental state to follow instructions
 Availabilities of ward article.

Equipment Required:
 A tray contains bath towels-2
 Face towel-1
 Long macintosh-1
 Cotton swabs-2
 Liquid soap or shampoo
 Hair comb
 Kidney tray
 Paper bag and news paper
 Bucket-1
 Mug-1
 Jugs-2 (hot and cold water)
 Safety pins

Preparation of the patient and environment:

 Explain the procedure.
 Arrange the article at the bedside.
 Provide privacy.
 Position the patient [flat] comfortably to the edge of the bed.
 Remove the extra pillows, blanket and back rest.
 Make an improvised through [Kelley pad] and place it under the hand
to facilitate the drainage of water in to receptacle.
 Place the bucket on the low stool close to the side of the bed. The
distal end of the macintosh is received in to it.
 Plug the ear with cotton balls
3. TREATMENT OF HAIR (PEDICULOSIS
TREATMENT)

Pediculosis is defined as the state of being infected with lice. Pediculi or lice is
a small blood sucking parasite.
It is associated with poor personal hygiene. It can be acquired in overcrowded,
unsanitary conditions and exposure to infected persons

Purpose:
 To destroy pediculi and nits
 To prevent its transmission to other
 To promote comfort
 To promote sense of well-being

Dangers of Pediculosis:
 Severe itching
 Scratching and as the result, abscess formation
 Presence of dandruff
 Restlessness and insomnia due to discomfort
 Anaemia
 Presence of nodules at the back of head due to infected glands

Prevention of Pediculosis:
 Proper personal hygiene should be maintained by every person
 Daily hair combing and frequently washing it
 If the patient complains of itching or scratches the head, examine hair and
scalp thoroughly

Medications Used for Pediculosis Treatment:

 DDT powder one part to nine part of talcum powder
 Kerosene mixed with equal parts of sweet oil destroys both lice and nits
 Carbolic acid 1:40
 Readily available lisyl
 Preparations containing gamma, benzene hexachloride available in the
market and can be used according to the instruction on the label
Types of Pediculi:
 Pediculosis capitis: which infest the head
 Pediculosis corporis: which infest the body and is found with its flits in
the clothing
  Pediculosis pubis: this infests the axillary and pubic hair, the eyebrows
and sometimes the eyelashes

General instructions:
 The parasiticides are applied thoroughly on the scalp (to the body if
necessary) and is left for overnight
 On the next day a thorough bath is given and the linen is changed
 The linen should be thoroughly disinfected to remove the lice from the
cloths
 Since, the parasiticides are not effective against the nits (eggs) the
procedure is repeated after a week

Preliminary Assessment:
Check :-

 Doctors order for specific precautions

 General condition of the patient
 Condition of the scalp and the hair
 Assess mental state to follow the instructions
 Articles available in the patient's unit

Equipment:
A tray containing:-

 Mackintosh – 1
 Bath towels – 2
 Wash cloth – 1
 A cap, a triangular bandage or a towel folded diagonally
 Safety pins
 Kidney tray with disinfectant, e.g. carbolic acid 1:40
 Paper bag
 Hair comb
 Cotton swabs or gauze piece in a container
 Vaseline
 Gown mask and cap
 Bucket with antiseptic solution, e.g. carbolic acid 5%

Preparation of the Patient and the Unit:

 Explain the sequence of procedure
 Provide privacy by means of screens
  Arrange the articles conveniently on the bedside
 Place the patient flat if the condition permits
 Bring the patients head and shoulder to the edge of the bed
 Protect the pillow and bed with a mackintosh and a towel
 Protect the patient’s eyes with a clean damp wash cloth
 Pull off the fan to prevent the parasiticide spilling over the face during its
application
 Loosen the hair and comb out the tangles

Note: the treatment is done in the evening and left over night

Procedure:

S. Procedure Nursing Rationale Yes No Remark

No Action
.

01 Check the physicians Patient may be at risk

order for specific
precautions if any for
movement and
positioning of the patient.
for injury while
manipulating the head.
In some cases
physician's order is
required for bed
shampoo

02 Assess the general Determines the presence

condition of the patient of any condition that
the scalp, hair need for may require the use of
shampoo. special shampoo or
treatment.

03 Explain procedure to the Relieves anxiety and

patient. helps the patient to co-
operate.

04 Close windows, pull Provide privacy and

curtains and put off the prevent hypothermia for
fan. the patient.
05 Fan fold the top linen to A sheet or bath blanket
the foot end of the bed prevents patients from
leaving a sheet or bath chilling.
blanket over the patient.

06 Make a trough with the Allows dirty water to

mackintosh or use a Kelly flow into the bucket.
pad if available.

07 Unless contraindicated, Prevent over stretching

move the patient's head to and allow use of good
the edge the bed position body mechanics.
the patient diagonally
with head positioned
inside trough.

08 Place pillow under the Prevents soiling of the

shoulder so that the head bed.
is slightly tilted
backwards.

09 Protect the pillow and bed Prevent soiling of bed

with a mackintosh and and pillow.
towel.

10 Place the bucket on a low Collect the dirty water.

stool close to the side of
bed.

11 Plug the ears with non Prevents shampoo

absorbant entering into the ears
cotton balls.

12 Place a wash cloth or a Prevents shampoo

towel over the eyes. entering into the eyes.

13 Wash hands Prevents spread of

microorganisms.

14 Loosen and remove Warm water is

tangles. comfortable and
 Mix cold and hot water facilitates removal of
and test the temperature dirt and sebum.
with the back of hand.
15 Start cleaning at hairline Shampoo help to
and working towards the remove dirt, sebum and
back of the head dandruff from the scalp.
symmetrically using
shampoo.
16 Rub shampoo and Rubbing and massaging
massage scalp well. of scalp adds to the
comfort of the patient
and effectiveness of
shampoo.

17 Rinse thoroughly with Removes soap and dirt.

water.
18 Repeat washing and Prevents chilling
rinsing until hair is clean
squeeze off water form
hair.
Instruct patient to inform
nurse, if any discomfort or
pain occurs.
Dry hair with second
towel.

19 Remove the trough and

place it in the bucket.
Discard the cotton plugs
used to plug ears into the
K-basin.

20 Reposition the patient in

proper alignment. Enhances patient's
comfort

21 Spread the hair over Enhances patient's

mackintosh and towel comfort
placed on the pillow and
allow it to dry.
 22 Change linen if wet. Enhances patient's
comfort

23 Offer hot drink. Enhances patient's

comfort

24 Take all articles to the Reduces risk of

utility room and clean transmission of
them. Disinfect the towels microorganisms.
mackintosh. Basin and
bucket. Send soiled linen
to laundry wash hands.

25 Return to bed side when Improves self esteem of

the hair is dry. comb and patient
arrange remove
mackintosh and towel
form the bed. Make the
patient comfortable.
26 Record the procedure and Ensure communication
report any abnormalities if between staff member.
present.

After Care:-

1. Place the patients hand, feet comfortably.

2. Replace the articles and equipment.
3. Discard the dirty water in sluice room.
4. Wash the articles used and keep ready for the next use.
5. Wash hands.
 6. Record and report the date, time, procedure and abnormalities noted in
the nurse’s record.

Conclusion:-

 Hair care improves the morale of the patient.

 It stimulates the circulation of the scalp.
 Hair wash/Shampooing removes bacteria, microorganisms, oils, and
dirt that cling to the hair.