HYGIENE
 removes accumulate oil, perspiration, dead skin cells
HYGIENE:
 is the science of health and its maintenance
 personal hygiene is the self care by which people
attend to such questions as bathing, toileting, general
body hygiene, and grooming
 care for the skin, hair, nails, teeth, oral and nasal
cavities, eyes, ears, perineal-genital area
SKIN:
 Largest organ of the body
Major functions:
 protects underling tissues from injury by preventing the
passage of microorganism. It is considered the forst
line of defense.
 regulates body temperature.
 secretes sebum, oily substance that softens and
lubricates the skin and hair, prevents hair from
becoming brittle, decreases waterloss from the skin
when the external humidity is low.
 lessens amount of heat lost
 bactericidal action.
 the normal skin of a person, has transient and resident
microorganism, that are usually not harmful.
 SUDORIFEROUS (SWEAT) GLAND are on all body
surfaces except the lips and parts of the genitals.
Classified as:
1. Apocrine Glands - located largely in the axillae
and anogenital areas, which usually begins to
function during puberty. The secretion of these
glands are odorless, but when decomposed, or
acted on bacteria on the skin, , it takes on a
musky, unpleasant odor.
2. Eccrine Glands - more numerous than the
apocrine gland, which is found chiefly on the
palms of the hand, the soles of the feet, and
forehead. The sweat that they produce cools the
body through evaporation.
GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR SKIN CARE:
1. . An intact, healthy skin is the body's first line of
defense.
2. The degree to which the skin protects the underlying
tissues from injury, depends on the general health of
the cells, the amount of subcutaneous tissue, and the
dryness of skin.
3. Moisture in contact with the skin for more than a short
time, can result in increased bacterial growth and
irrigation.
4. Body odors are caused by resident skin bacteria,
acting on body secretions.
5. Skin sensitivity to irritation and injury varies among
individuals and in accordance with their health.
6. Agents used for skin care have a selective action and
purposes.
BATHING:
and some bacteria.
 stimulates circulation
 produces a sense of well-being
 offers an excellent opportunity for the nurse t o assess
clients.
 can be categorized as cleaning and therapeutic.
 Cleaning baths- are given chiefly for hygiene
purposes, which includes the following types:
 Complete bed bath- washes the entire body
 Self-help bed bath- clients confined to bed are
able to bath themselves with help from the nurse
for washing the back and perhaps the feet
 Partial bath- only parts of the client's body that
might cause discomfort or odors , if neglected are
washed.
 Towel bath- in-bed bath that uses a quick drying
solution containing a disinfectant, a cleaning
agent, and a softening agent mixed with water.
 Bag bath- adaptation of the towel bath
 Tub bath- often preferred to bed baths, because
it is easier to wash and rinse in a tub. Tubs are
also used for therapeutic baths.
 Shower- ambulatory clients are able to use
shower facilities and require only minimal
assistance from the nurse. Clients in long-term
care settings are often given with the aid of a
shower chair.
 Therapeutic bath- given for physical effects, such
as to soothe irritated skin or to treat an area.
Medications may be placed in the water.
o generally taken in a tub 1/3 or 1/2 full.
o client remains in the bath tub for a designated
time, usually 20 to 30 minutes.
PERINEAL-GENITAL CARE:
 Also referred to "Perineal care" or “peri care.” It means
washing the genitals and anal area.
 Peri care can be done during a bath or as a separate
procedure.
 Peri care prevents skin breakdown of perineal area,
itching, burning, odor, and infections. Perineal care is
very important in maintaining the clients' comfort.
FEET:
 Essential for ambulation and needs attention even
when people are confined to bed.
 Each foot contains 26 bones, 107 ligaments, and 19
muscles. These structures function together for both
standing and walking.
COMMON FOOT PROBLEMS:
1. Callus- thickened portion of epidermis, a mass of
keratotic material, usually caused by pressure from
footwear. They can be softened by soaking the foot in
 warm water, and lotions may also help to keep skin
soft and prevent formation of calluses.
2. Corn- keratosis caused by friction and pressure from
a shoe, commonly occurs on the bony prominence.
3. Unpleasant Odors- occur as a result of
perspirationand its interaction with microorganism
4. Plantar Warts- appear on the sole of the foot, caused
by virus, papovavirus hominis, which are moderately
ccontagious.
5. Fissures- deep grooves, frequently occur between the
toes as a result of dryness and cracking of the skin
6. Tinea pedis- also known as ringworm of the foot.
Symptoms are scaling and cracking of the skin,
particularly between the toes, sometimes with small
blisters, containing thin fluid.
7. Ingrown nail- the growing inward of the nail into the
soft tissues around it, most often from the result of
improper nail trimming.
NAILS:
 horn-like envelope covering the tips of the fingers and
toes, usually made of a tough protective protein called
alpha-keratin.
 enhances precise delicate movements of the distal
digits through counter pressure exerted on the pulp of
the finger.
MOUTH:
 Consists of teeth, which has three
parts: the crown, the root and the pulp
cavity. The crown is the exposed part
of the tooth, which is outside the gum.
It is covered with a hard substance
called enamel, and the ivory colored
internal part of the crown just below
the enamel is the dentin. The pulp cavity in the center
of the tooth contains the blood vessels and nerves.
 a complete set of teeth contains 32 permanent tooth
 Dental Caries (cavities) and periodontal diseases are
the two problems that frequently affect the teeth.
 Both problems are associated to with Plaque (invisible,
soft film, that adheres to the enamel surface of the
teeth; ot consists of bacteria, molecules of saliva and
remnants of epithelium and leukocytes), and when
plaque is unchecked, Tartar (visible, hard deposits of
plaque and dead bacteria that forms in the gum lines)
are formed.
 Periodontal disease is characterized by gingivitis (red,
swollen gingiva) bleeding, receding gum lines, and the
formation of pockets between the teeth and gums.
HAIR:
 protein filament that grows from the follicles found in
the dermis.
 the appearance of hair often reflects a person's
feelings of self concept and socio-cultural well being.
People who feel ill may not groom their hair as before,
resulting to a dirty scalp and hair.
COMMON HAIR AND SCALP PROBLEMS:
1. Dandruff- accompanied by itching, diffuse scaling of
the scalp.
2. Hair Loss- hair loss and growth are continual
processes. Some permanent thinning of hair
(alopecia) normally occurs with aging.
3. Ticks
4. Pediculosis (Lice)
5. Hirsutism- growth of excessive body hair
 Hair needs to be brushed or combed daily, and
washed as needed to keep it clean.
 Brushing has 3 major functions: 1. stimulates the
circulation of blood in the scalp, distributes the oil
along the hair shaft, 3. and helps arrange the hair
EYES:
 normally, eyes require no special hygiene, because
the lacrimal fluid continually flushes the eyes. The eye
lids, and the lashes, prevents the entrance of foreign
particles.
 special interventions are needed for unconscious
clients, or those recovering from eye surgery or have
eye injuries or infections.

EYE CARE:
 Dried secretions that have accumulated on the
lashes need to be softened and wiped away. Soften
dried secretions by placing a sterile cotton ball
moistened with sterile water or normal saline over the
lid margins.
 Wipe the loosened secretions from the inner canthus
of the eye, to the outer canthus (to prevent particles
and fluid from draining into the lacrimal sac and
nasolacrimal duct)
 For unconscious clients, who may lack the blink
reflex, or cannot close the eyes completely, drying
and irritation of the cornea must be prevented,
lubricating drops may be advised.
EARS:
 Normally require minimal hygiene because of cerumen

EAR CARE:
 the auricles of the ear are cleaned during bed bath
 excessive cerumen must be removed, visible
cerumen may be loosened and removed by retracting
the auricle tip up and back. If this is ineffective,
irrigation is necessary.

BACK CARE:
 cleaning and massaging the back, paying special
attention to pressure points
 provides comfort and relaxes the clients, facilitating
physical stimulation to the skin
 environmental relaxation
Purpose:
 to improve circulation to the back
 refresh the mode and feeling
 relieve from fatigue
 induce sleep

TYPES OF MASSAGES:
1. Effleurage- type of massage involving circular,
stroking movement made with the palm of the hand.
2. Tapotement- rapid and repeated striking of the body
3. Petrissage- involves kneeding of the body