PRACTISING good hygiene is important for many reasons.
It can reduce your risk of health problems, and positively impact your self-confidence.
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But according to a doctor, there are certain areas of the body you could be forgetting to clean – and missing these could put you at risk of some unpleasant symptoms.
Dr Donald Grant, GP and senior clinical adviser at The Independent Pharmacy, said despite showering, there are still some body parts that don’t get a sufficient wash.
These four areas are:
Read more on fungal infections
He warned: “Not washing these areas could increase an individual’s risks of certain health conditions and illnesses.
“It’s important to address these body parts and ensure every section is getting a wash to reduce the risk of bacteria harming wellbeing.”
Failing to wash your feet appropriately can cause a strong smell due to a build-up of bacteria and dead skin cells.
It also increases the risk of developing bacterial and fungal infections such as athlete’s foot, causing itchiness and peeling skin, warned Dr Grant.
He added: “Unwashed tongues can lead to bad breath and oral thrush.
“If not washed correctly, a dirty tongue can even impact taste quality while increasing the likelihood of developing gum disease.
“Similarly, unwashed belly buttons can also give off a foul odour.
“The warm, moist environment may also lead to bacterial or fungal infections, highlighting the importance of washing this body part appropriately.
“Forgetting to wash behind the ears can cause sweat, bacteria and debris – such as dead skin cells – to build up.
“This can lead to odour, bacterial infections and may even cause eczema.”
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How to clean up your act…
To make sure you’re doing all you can to avoid these health problems, Dr Grant recommends the following…
1. For feet
Standing in the shower is not enough to wash your feet appropriately.
Instead, they should be scrubbed with shower gel and dried thoroughly before putting socks or shoes on.
Dr Grant said: “They should be washed daily to minimise bacteria build-up and avoid infections.
“Moisturising your feet can also protect against cracked skin.”
2. Tongue
For washing tongues, utilise a tongue scraper – a tool that’s effective at removing debris and any harmful bacteria.
Dr Grant said: “This should be done daily when brushing your teeth.
“A suitable mouthwash can provide further protection, ensuring the mouth and tongue are clean.”
3. Belly buttons
Belly buttons can be cleaned using soap and water, before rinsing the area and drying thoroughly.
Dr Grant said: “Belly buttons can be cleaned in the bath or shower and people should be gentle when addressing this part of the body.”
4. Ears
Behind the ears should be cleaned daily with face wash.
Dr Grant said: “Like feet, it’s important to ensure behind the ears are dried thoroughly, while moisturising is an effective way of avoiding dry skin.”
Symptoms of fungal infections
THE symptoms of a fungal skin infection depend on the type of fungus, and where it is.
You may notice changes in your skin, hair, or nails.
The fungus can affect just one area or several areas of your body, and infections can also spread from one area of your body to another.
Fungal infections could result in skin that is:
- Red, discoloured or darker in colour
- Scaly and itchy or have a fine scale, like dry skin
- Sore, with pus-filled spots
Fungal nail infections make your nail look abnormal and discoloured.
Over time, they may cause pain and discomfort, which can interfere with standing, walking, or exercising.
Fungal infections on the scalp can cause hair to become brittle and break off, leaving bald patches. It usually grows back after treatment.
You don’t usually need to see a GP for a fungal infection – they can be treated at home using over-the-counter remedies from the pharmacy.
But you should see a GP if:
- The infection is affecting a large area of skin
- The infection is difficult to control or severe or over-the-counter treatments aren’t helping
- You have a scalp infection
- You’re not certain what’s causing your symptoms
- You have a weakened immune system
Source: Bupa
