1. The Care and Cleaning of You
Sharon Fickley
BSN, RN
Martha Jefferson Hospital

2. Why are We Here Tonight?
Talk about changes affecting the care of your body between the ages of 10 and 18
Understand why personal hygiene becomes more important (and maybe challenging) during these years

3. What’s Happening Here, Anyway?
Puberty brings many changes to your body. These changes are caused by a complex interaction between your brain, hormones, and all of your body systems.

4. Why Does Personal Hygiene Matter to Me?
As your hormones change, it is sometimes harder to keep a neat, clean appearance
You’ll notice changes in your hair and skin, and may notice body odor, especially after exercise

5. Why Hygiene Matters (con’t)
Proper body care is important to maintain healthy hair, skin, and nails
Kids who don’t keep clean may have trouble making or keeping friends
Parents, teachers, and other adults appreciate good personal hygiene

6. Some Interesting Facts
Many adolescents don’t seem to respond to their own bodily changes
May be reluctant to shower, wash hair, brush teeth, clean nails, etc.
Often becomes battle ground between parents and children
Most teachers say there’s a real need for more emphasis in this area

7. Some Hygiene Basics
Don’t share personal items such as combs, brushes, lipstick, chap stick, mascara, and earrings, just to name a few.
Why?
Germs
Lice
Dandruff (although not contagious)

8. Wash Those Hands!!!
Hand washing is the single best way to prevent transmission of germs and the consequent illness.

9. Wash Those Hands!!!
One of the most common ways to get a cold is to rub your nose or eyes with unwashed hands
Just think about all the things you’ve touched today!
1 in 5 people don’t wash hands after using bathroom!

10. Germy Business
Only 32% of people in a 2005 survey said they wash hands after sneezing or coughing
21% washed hands after handling money
42% washed hands after handling animals – just think about what goes in their mouths!

11. It’s More Than Just a Quick Rinse
Use warm water
Use soap
Rub hands together hard for 15 seconds – can sing “Happy Birthday”
Rinse under warm water
May want to use paper towel to flush or to open door in public bathrooms

12. All About Hair About 100,000 hairs on your head
Sebum is the natural oil in hair
Covers straight hair better than curly
Makes straight hair appear shinier

13. Still More About Hair
Different hair types need different types of care
Type and amount of shampoo and styling product should be right for your hair type
Treat all hair types gently, especially when wet – prevents breakage

14. Head to Toe Changes Hair may seem oily and hard to keep clean
Sebaceous glands make more oil – maybe too much!
Hair may appear greasy soon after washing

15. What Will Help? Wash hair at least once a day
May need to be more often if active
Use shampoo and/or conditioner for oily hair
Be sure to rinse hair very well
Keep hair off face, especially during sports activities

16. Other Hair Treatments Keep hair cut often enough to prevent split ends
Hair style to fit lifestyle!
Be careful if coloring or perming hair
Use other chemical treatments carefully

17. What if My Hair is Dry? Don’t wash daily Use proper shampoo
Avoid heat styling products and harsh chemicals
Try not to color hair too frequently

18. Dandruff? UGH! Not contagious of dangerous – just embarrassing!
Recent evidence suggests fungal cause
Can try non-prescription shampoos
Consult your doctor if doesn’t get better

19. Skin
All About Skin

20. Why do I Have to Deal With Acne?
Almost all teens, and many adults, develop acne at some time or times during life.

21. Why Now?
Pores in the skin contain sebaceous glands which make sebum (remember, it coats the hair!)
As your body changes and develops, glands may become overactive, causing pores to clog.

22. Why Does This Have to Happen?
Too much sebum and many dead skin cells clog pores
Bacteria becomes trapped inside pores and leads to swelling and redness – ACNE!
Acne can be painful, embarrassing, annoying, and downright hard to get rid of.

23. Myths About Acne Tanning clears up skin Chocolate causes acne
Greasy foods cause acne
Sun actually dries skin, leading to more irritation and breakouts. Sun’s rays can cause premature aging of skin. Always use sunscreen on the face, even if you have dark skin.
High Sugar, high fat foods are not a great idea for other health reasons, but there is no evidence that they cause acne. Some people may notice increased breakouts if they eat a lot of one food or another. If so, don’t eat it!

24. Acne Myths (con’t)
The more you wash your face, the less you’ll break out
Popping pimple makes them go away faster
Don’t wear makeup if you want clear skin
Using more medicine helps stop breakouts faster
Face washing does help remove dirt and oil, BUT, like the sun, too much washing causes dryness and irritation. Generally, just wash face twice a day with mild soap and water. Don’t scrub hard, as this is irritating to the skin
Squeezing zits may actually push the bacteria and other debris further into the skin, causing further irritation and breaking out. May also cause scars
Choose make-up marked “nonacnegenic” or “noncomedogenic”. Can now get concealers with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, which may help treat acne.
Too much medication dries out the skin, leading to more irritation and further breakouts.
If acne not clearing up with over the counter meds, see your doctor. Wide variety of medications available that may help
CAUTION: Follow instructions with prescription meds very carefully – particular danger of increased sensitivity to sunlight with some meds.

25. What Should I Do? Use MILD soap and water to wash face twice a day
Choose makeup labeled “oil-free” or “nonacnegenic”
Remove all makeup daily
Keep hairsprays and gels away from face
Wash face well after exercise

26. What Else Can I Do?
Use over the counter acne medications to treat periodic breakouts
Remember that acne won’t last forever
Remember that you probably notice more than others do
Ask your parents to take you to the doctor if acne persists
Remind parents that this is a very self-conscious age, and that there’s a fine line between just being “normal” and being socially affected by rapid and noticeable bodily changes.

27. Do I Smell Something in Here?

28. Bathing and Other Daily Tasks!
Kids are not used to “smelling” when they sweat
Body odor may begin to appear in the middle elementary years
During puberty, hormonal changes cause body odor to become stronger and often offensive

29. Why DOES This Matter?
Many adolescents don’t notice that they have body odor
Can become a daily battle to have them shower

30. Keep it Simple
Kids – try to believe that your parents have your best interests at heart
Parents – set ground rules and stick by them

31. Smelling Better Every Day!
Bathe or shower daily using mild soap and warm water
Apply deodorant or antiperspirant & deodorant after showering

32. Keeping it Clean
Change your underwear, socks, and clothes each day or after exercising
Wear cotton material if you find that you’re sweating a lot
Remember to allow shoes time to air out, especially after exercise or if they get wet

33. Shaving

34. How to Eliminate Unwanted Hair
Ask your parents if it’s ok for you to shave
Ask your parents to help you choose and buy the type of razor they think is best
Use a shaving cream or gel that’s right for your skin type

35. Shave Safely Razor should have relatively new, sharp blade
GO SLOWLY!!!
Be careful
Girls – don’t try to shave your lip! If you have concerns about hair here, talk to an adult you trust about what’s best to do

36. Troubles with Shaving Folliculitis - “razor bumps” Can be painful
Ingrown hairs
Try Safety Razor
May need to talk to dermatologist if severe

37. Take Care of Those Teeth
You Only Get One Set
Take Care of Those Teeth

38. Floss and Brush, but Don’t Rush!
Often said that tooth and gum health is picture of overall health
Plaque causes decay, which leads to cavities – and this is only the beginning!

39. Twice a Day Keeps Holes Away
Brush 2 times a day to prevent decay
Brush from where tooth and gum meet to the chewing surface, with brush at 45-degree angle
Floss carefully and gently
If you have braces, try to brush teeth or at least rinse mouth at school

40. What About the Paste? Fluoride the most important ingredient
Whitening agents fine, but may not noticeably change color of teeth.
Tooth color has much to do with genetics
Smoking, coffee can change tooth color
Talk to your dentist if you are self-conscious about the color of your teeth

41. See that Dentist A few facts:
Prevention is the best route for dental care
Cleaning should be twice a year
Checks teeth, gums, and bone structure
84% 17-year-olds have cavities
60% 15-year-olds have gingivitis
Cavities not treated can lead to pain and tooth loss
Prevention and early treatment much less costly and damaging than trying to treat long-standing cavities
Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease. Left untreated, can eventually lead to other kinds of illness and may progress to bone damage.

42. A Few Words About Piercing
Talk to your parents!
Some places on body can be very irritated by piercing
Some places tend to more infection
Tongue piercings may damage teeth
Tongue, cheek, lip piercings may cause gum problems

43. To Pierce or Not to Pierce?
Body piercing is a personal decision between you and your parents. The same is true for tattooing. Please understand that while piercings do not have to be permanent, tattoos, in most circumstances, are. There can be significant health risks, especially with tattoos, so parents and kids, PLEASE TALK!!!

44. Piercing Safety Investigate piercing salon first
Be absolutely sure that the shop you choose:
Is CLEAN
Has personnel who practice good hand washing
Personnel use disposable gloves
Uses disposable or sterilized instruments

45. Piercing Safety (Con’t)
Does not use a piercing gun – not sterile
Uses only new needles with each client
Disposes of sharp needles in special container

46. More on Piercing Watch for allergic reactions
Be sure jewelry is made of non-toxic metal, such as surgical steel, solid 14 or 18-karat gold, niobium, or titanium

47. Piercing Risks
Most piercings performed and cared for properly do fine. But there are risks, and if you choose to pierce one or more body parts, you need to know these risks.

48. Piercing Risks Chronic Infection Significant Bleeding Scarring
Hepatitis B or C
Tetanus
Allergic Reactions to Jewelry
Local Infection/abscess
Inflammation or nerve damage

49. Resources for Teens and Parents