Hygiene BY THE CHILDREN’S COALITION FOR NORTHEAST LOUISIANA
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areas of healthcare including ICU, surgery, and ygiene is the practice of home health. She has been able to serve and maintaining health and work in many different states and received her preventing disease through licensing in many states. During her 22 years in cleanliness. Healthy hygiene nursing, she has been able to explore different practices can be a touchy types of nursing settings, including travel subject with your pre-teen and teen children. nursing and contract nursing. As they grow, their bodies are maturing faster than their She is currently working as a Reproductive Health Instructor grooming practices. As parents, we want to offer support, while with The Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana making it clear that personal hygiene is their responsibility. teaching a variety of health As they begin to experience topics to students in Northeast Louisiana. puberty or some of the changes that happen when their bodies change from a child to a young Q: What does it mean for my adult, these changes typically teen to have good hygiene? A: Good hygiene is begin around the ages of 10 and 14. While some may start earlier achieved through a few simple PAIGE SMITH tasks. Washing hands often, and some begin later, everyone eventually will go through it! bathing with soap, properly brushing their teeth, wearing clean clothes, Forming these healthy habits are important for and using anti-perspirant daily are a few your teen’s physical, mental, and emotional examples. Teaching your child to take special health. Paige Smith has a Bachelors of Arts in care in doing these things is the first step in Psychology and Sociology and a Bachelors of them learning to be responsible for their overall, general health. Science in Nursing. She has been a Registered Nurse for 22 years working in many different 140 JULY 2021 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM
Q: How does my child going through puberty affect their hygiene practices? Everybody goes through puberty at their own pace. Hormones, the body’s chemical signals, tells their body to begin changing. Some people may experience a growth spurt sooner than others, while other teens may get a deeper voice later than others. Their bodies will go through puberty at the exact right time for them, and there is no way to speed it up or slow it down. It is important to know that their hygiene will begin to change as they begin to start puberty. As your child is going through puberty, it is important to understand some ways in which their bodies are changing. Hormones may be causing their skin and scalp to become oily, producing acne and the appearance of greasy hair, and body hair in general. Their sweat glands are becoming more active and are now causing strong odors under their arms. Their feet and groin will also begin to have noticeable odors. With a little encouragement and guidance, your pre-teen and teen can navigate the hurdles of good hygiene practices. Q: What can my teen do daily to practice good hygiene?