Hygiene is one of the fundamental requirements of any child in any educational establishment, at home, or in hospital.
The skin has many different functions and therefore it is imperative that it is cared for and kept clean. The functions of skin are given below:
- Protects deeper and more delicate organs.
- Acts as a barrier against invasion of micro-organisms.
- Regulates temperature.
- Produces sweat when body temperature rises.
Benefits of good hygiene
- Makes the neonates feel good, giving a positive self-image.
- Washing is like a tonic, making the neonates feel healthy.
- Prevents infection and infestation by parasites.
- Promotes independence, forming good habits later on in life.
- Stimulates the physical, emotional, and cognitive areas of development by involving pouring games.
- Treats skin problems such as eczema, sweat, rash, and sore skin, which can make the child irritable.
Cleaning steps
- Start by washing the face with plain warm water.
- Clean eyes using plain water and wiping from the corner near the nose to the outer corner. Use a washcloth (use a clean part for each eye) or two cotton balls (one for each eye)
- When cleaning the ears and nose, clean only the surface of the ears and nose. Do not put a cotton swab in the ears or nose to clean
- Wash the rest of the baby with mild soap. Do not use a perfumed soap. Rinse with warm water
- Leaving the diaper area for last, make sure to wash all the creases and folds
- Do not be hesitant about cleaning a baby girl’s genitals
- Use a soft cloth and warm water, and wipe gently between the folds
- After rinsing, pat the baby dry with a clean towel
- Shampoo the hair while you hold the baby in the crook of your arm. Put mild soap on the hair, gently scrub and rinse out all of the soap. Don’t be afraid to gently shampoo the soft spots to prevent -yellow, oily, scaly flakes from building up. This condition is known as cradle cap
- Towel the hair dry and then brush it with a soft baby brush
- Do not use any oil or lotions on your baby because they may cause a rash. Most oils and lotions are too harsh for your baby’s delicate skin
Special considerations
When meeting hygiene need, the main areas for consideration are:
- Skin: Some cultures use certain moisturizer creams to soften the skin.
- Nail: Keep short and cut horizontal, not digging into the corners.
- Genitalia: Do not push back the foreskin, simply wash the glans.
- Hair: Comb with a soft brush.
- Mouth: Brush teeth as soon as teeth are apparent and avoid sugary drinks to prevent tooth decay.
- Eyes: Use clean cotton wool balls and clean water; clean eyes from edge of nose outward, using two clean pieces for each eye and clean, dry pieces for drying.
- Ears: To prevent perforation of eardrums and pushing wax further down the ear, do not use cotton buds to clean ears.
- Umbilicus: Use clean water or prescribed cream to clean.
REFERENCES
- Annamma Jacob, Rekha, Jhadav Sonali Tarachand: Clinical Nursing Procedures: The Art of Nursing Practice, 5th Edition, March 2023, Jaypee Publishers, ISBN-13: 978-9356961845 ISBN-10: 9356961840
- Omayalachi CON, Manual of Nursing Procedures and Practice, Vol 1, 3 Edition 2023, Published by Wolters Kluwer’s, ISBN: 978-9393553294
- Sandra Nettina, Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice, 11th Edition, January 2019, Published by Wolters Kluwer’s, ISBN-13:978-9388313285
- Marcia London, Ruth Bindler, Principles of Paediatric Nursing: Caring for Children, 8th Edition, 2023, Pearson Publications, ISBN-13: 9780136859840
- Naveen Bajaj, Rajesh Kumar, Manual of Newborn Nursing, 2nd Edition, 2023, Jaypee Publishers, ISBN:978-9354659294
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