Hygiene and

Health
Introduction
Many diseases and conditions can be
prevented or controlled through
appropriate personal hygiene and by
regularly washing parts of the body and
hair with soap and water. Good body
washing practices can prevent the spread
of hygiene-related diseases.
Keeping Hands Clean
Handwashing is one of the best ways to protect yourself and
your family from getting sick.
How Germs Spread
Washing hands can keep you healthy and prevent the spread of
respiratory and diarrheal infections. Germs can spread from
person to person or from surface to person when you:
Touch your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
Prepare or eat food and drinks with unwashed hands
Touch surfaces or objects that have germs on them
Blow your nose, cough, or sneeze into your hands, and then
touch other people’s hands or common objects
Keeping Hands Clean
Know When to Wash Your Hands Poster
You can help yourself and your loved ones stay healthy by washing your hands often,
especially during these key times when you are likely to get and spread germs:
Before, during, and after preparing food
Before and after eating food
Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea
Before and after treating a cut or wound
After using the toilet
After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
After handling pet food or pet treats
After touching garbage
Nail Hygiene
Appropriate hand hygiene includes diligently cleaning and trimming
fingernails, which may harbor dirt and germs and can contribute to the
spread of some infections, such as pinworms. Fingernails should be
kept short, and the undersides should be cleaned frequently with soap
and water. Because of their length, longer fingernails can harbor more
dirt and bacteria than short nails, thus potentially contributing to the
spread of infection.
Before clipping or grooming nails, all equipment (for example, nail
clippers and files) should be properly cleaned. Sterilizing equipment
before use is especially important when nail tools are shared among
several people, as is common in commercial nail salons.
Infections of the fingernails or toenails are often characterized by
swelling of the surrounding skin, pain in the surrounding area, or
thickening of the nail. In some cases, these infections may be serious
and need to be treated by a physician.
Nail Hygiene
To help prevent the spread of germs and nail
infections:
Keep nails short and trim them often.
Scrub the underside of nails with soap and water (or a
nail brush) every time you wash your hands.
Clean any nail grooming tools before use.
In commercial settings such as nail salons, sterilize nail
grooming tools before use.
Avoid biting or chewing nails.
Avoid cutting cuticles, as they act as barriers to prevent
infection.
Never rip or bite a hangnail. Instead, clip it with a
clean, sanitized nail trimmer.
Facial Cleanliness
Facial cleanliness is important to your health. Use soap and clean, running water to remove
dirt, oil, and unwanted debris from your face.
Many diseases and conditions can be prevented or controlled through appropriate personal
hygiene and by frequently washing parts of the face. Appropriate facial hygiene practices
include not only washing the face but also properly caring for teeth, mouth, eyes, contact
lenses, and ears.
Think Before Touching Your Face
Your hands can make your face dirty. Thinking before touching your face can
help stop the spread of germs. On average, people touch their faces 23 times per
hour. Unwashed hands can easily spread germs to your face after touching
contaminated surfaces or objects.
Protect yourself by:
Washing your hands at key times (such as before touching your face or putting
in contact lenses)
Using a tissue for your nose
Using a tissue to scratch or rub your eyes or adjust your glasses
Preventing itchiness by using facial moisturizer for dry skin and eye drops for
dry eyes
Facial Cleanliness
Keep Your Face Mask Clean
Wearing a mask that covers your mouth and nose can be an important way to prevent
the spread of respiratory illness. Keeping your mask clean will help keep your skin
healthy. Wash reusable masks before wearing them and as soon as they become dirty. If
you use a disposable face mask, throw it away after wearing it once.
Face Washing Is Key in Preventing the Spread of Some Diseases
Respiratory illnesses can be caused by many different bacteria and viruses. Typically,
respiratory infections, like the common cold, flu, and COVID-19, can spread through
droplets in the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. They can also be spread
by direct contact with bacteria, viruses, and other disease-causing germs. When you
touch your face, the germs on your hands can enter your mucous membranes through
your nose, eyes, and mouth, causing infection. Protect yourself by washing your hands
before touching your face.
Pink eye (conjunctivitis) spreads easily from person to person. Good hygiene practices,
such as handwashing, face washing, and not touching or rubbing eyes, are important for
limiting the spread of pink eye.
Coughing and Sneezing
Covering coughs and sneezes and keeping hands clean can help prevent the spread of
serious respiratory illnesses like influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV),
whooping cough, and COVID-19.
Germs can be easily spread by:
Coughing, sneezing, or talking
Touching your face with unwashed hands after touching contaminated surfaces or
objects
Touching surfaces or objects that may be frequently touched by other people
To help stop the spread of germs:
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze
Throw used tissues in the trash
If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow, not your hands
 To help stop the spread of germs:
Remember to immediately wash your hands after blowing your
nose, coughing, or sneezing.
Washing your hands is one of the most effective ways to prevent
yourself and your loved ones from getting sick, especially at key
Coughing times when you are likely to get and spread germs.
Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
and If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based
hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol to clean hands

Sneezing Another sick day with a woman sneezing

For information about preventing the spread of COVID-19, see
CDC’s COVID-19: Prevent Getting Sick web page.
To help prevent the spread of respiratory disease, you can also
avoid close contact with people who are sick. If you are ill, you
should try to distance yourself from others so you do not spread
your germs. Distancing includes staying home from work or school
when possible.
Foot Hygiene
Many diseases and foot problems can be prevented through healthy personal hygiene and taking care of your feet.
Healthy foot hygiene practices include not only washing your feet but also clipping your toenails and wearing well-
fitting, protective footwear.
How to protect your feet:
Wash your feet every day and dry them completely.
Clip your toenails short and keep them clean.
Change your socks at least once a day.
Check your feet regularly for cuts, sores, swelling, dryness, and infected toenails, and apply treatment as needed.
When visiting a salon for foot care, choose a salon that is clean and licensed by your state’s cosmetology board. Make
sure the salon sterilizes instruments after each use (such as nail clippers, scissors, and other tools).
Person wash their feet with soap and water.
Foot Hygiene Is Key in Promoting Good Health
Foot Hygiene
Several foot-related conditions are directly related to hygiene:
Athlete’s foot, or tinea pedis, is an infection of the skin and feet that can be caused by a variety of fungi that thrive in
warm, dark, and moist environments. Although tinea pedis can affect any part of the foot, the infection most often
affects the space between the toes. Good hygiene practices, like keeping your feet and toes clean and dry and changing
your shoes and socks regularly, help to prevent or control tinea pedis.
Diabetes can damage the nerves and affect blood flow in the feet and legs. Poor foot hygiene can put you at an
increased risk for infection.
Fungal nail infections are common infections of the fingernails or toenails that can cause the nail to become discolored,
thick, and more likely to crack and break. Small cracks in your nail or the surrounding skin can allow these germs to
enter your nail and cause an infection.
Hookworm is a parasitic worm (also called a helminth). Globally, it is one of the most common roundworms found in
humans. Hookworm infection is most common in resource-limited settings with poor access to water, sanitation, and
hygiene. The best way to avoid hookworm infection is not to walk barefoot in areas where hookworm is common and
where the soil may be contaminated by human poop (feces).
 Hair and Scalp Hygiene
Maintaining a healthy scalp and hair through good hygiene and proper hair care can help prevent and
control many diseases and conditions. Use soap and clean, running water to remove dirt, oil, and
unwanted residue from your head.
Like the rest of your skin, the scalp produces a natural oil called sebum that moisturizes and protects
your skin from infection. Some people produce more sebum than others. When the body produces too
much sebum, it can build up on your scalp. If you shower less frequently, dead skin, dirt, product residue,
and sweat may also build up on your scalp. This can result in greasy hair, increased risk for infection, and
unpleasant odor.
Practice these habits to improve your scalp and hair care routine:
Use an exfoliator on the scalp to break up the buildup
Select a shampoo and conditioner that work for your hair type
Wash your hair regularly
Brush regularly to prevent tangled hair and to help break apart buildup
 Hair and Scalp Hygiene

Practice these habits to improve your scalp and hair care routine:
Washing Your Scalp Helps Control Scalp Conditions and Infections
Ringworm on the scalp spreads through direct contact with an infected animal or person, or from
the environment. Good hygiene practices, like not sharing combs, towels, or other personal items
and washing your hands regularly, can help protect you.
Head lice spread most commonly by direct head-to-head (hair-to-hair) contact. However, much less
frequently, they can spread through shared clothing or other belongings. This can happen if lice
crawl onto those items or eggs attached to shed hairs fall on the items. Good hygiene practices are
important for preventing and controlling the spread of head lice. For example, don’t share combs,
brushes, or towels. Machine wash clothes and linens used by people with head lice.
 Menstrual Hygiene

Menstruation (also called a “period”) is a normal biological process experienced by millions around the world
each month. A period happens when the uterus sheds blood and tissue from the uterine lining and leaves your
body through the vagina.
Practice Healthy Habits During Your Period
Good menstrual health and hygiene practices can prevent infections, reduce odors, and helps to stay
comfortable during the period.
You can choose many types of menstrual products to absorb or collect blood during your period, including
sanitary pads, tampons, menstrual cups, menstrual discs, and period underwear.
Follow these tips when using menstrual products, in addition to the instructions that come with the
product:
Wash hands before and after using the restroom and before using a menstrual product.
Discard used disposable menstrual products properly: wrap them with toilet paper, a tissue, or other material
and then toss them in a trash bin. Do not flush menstrual products down the toilet.
 Menstrual Hygiene

Use unscented toilet paper, tampons, or pads. Scented hygiene products can irritate the skin and impact
your natural pH balance.
Drink enough liquids. This can help wash out your urinary tract and help prevent infections, like vaginal
candidiasis.
Track and monitor your period. Your menstrual cycle is a valuable marker for your overall health. Irregular
periods can be a sign of conditions like diabetes, thyroid dysfunction, and celiac disease. You can track
your period on a calendar or with an app on your phone designed for this purpose.
Visit a healthcare provider for your annual check-up. An annual well-woman exam is a full check-up that
includes a pap smear, a pelvic exam, and a breast exam. These exams are essential for good reproductive
health as they can catch early signs of cancer or other health issues.
Talk to a doctor if you experience a change in odor, have extreme or unusual pain, or have more severe
period symptoms than usual (such as a heavier flow or longer period).
Menstrual Hygiene

Menstrual Hygiene Day – May 28

Each year on May 28, Menstrual Hygiene Day is observed to highlight good menstrual
hygiene practices during the period and to raise awareness about the importance of
access to menstrual products, period education, and sanitation facilities.
 Avoidable habits for Hygiene and health

1. Poor Hand Hygiene:

Failing to wash hands regularly and properly can lead to the spread
of germs and illness. Hands come into contact with various
surfaces and objects, picking up bacteria and viruses. When hands
are not washed, these microorganisms can be transferred to the face
or other surfaces, leading to infections and illnesses.
2. Not Covering Mouth and Nose When Coughing or Sneezing:
Neglecting to cover the mouth and nose when coughing or
sneezing allows respiratory droplets containing germs to be
released into the air. This can lead to the transmission of infectious
diseases like the common cold, and flu, or even more serious
illnesses like COVID-19.
 Avoidable habits for Hygiene and health

3. Smoking:
Smoking tobacco products exposes the body to harmful
chemicals, leading to serious health issues. Smoking is a major
cause of lung cancer, heart disease, chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD), and various respiratory illnesses. It
also affects the health of non-smokers through second hand
smoke exposure.
4. Poor Diet:
Consuming a diet high in processed foods, added sugars and
unhealthy fats can contribute to obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart
disease, high blood pressure, and other chronic health
conditions. A poor diet lacks essential nutrients required for
optimal health and weakens the immune system’s ability to fight
infections.
 Avoidable habits for Hygiene and health

5. Lack of Exercise:
Physical inactivity increases the risk of obesity, cardiovascular
diseases, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. Regular exercise is
essential for maintaining a healthy weight, improving cardiovascular
health, strengthening muscles and bones, and enhancing overall well-
being.
6. Poor Sleep Habits:
Inadequate or irregular sleep patterns can lead to fatigue, impaired
cognitive function, decreased productivity, and mood disturbances.
Chronic sleep deprivation has been associated with an increased risk
of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and mental health
disorders.
 Avoidable habits for Hygiene and health

7. Stressful Lifestyle:
Chronic stress can negatively impact both physical and
mental health. It can contribute to high blood pressure,
weakened immune function, digestive issues, anxiety,
depression, and an increased risk of heart disease.
8. Substance Abuse:
The misuse of drugs or alcohol can result in addiction, liver
damage, impaired cognitive function, mental health disorders,
and an increased risk of accidents. Substance abuse can have
far-reaching consequences on an individual’s health,
relationships, and overall quality of life.