Hygiene
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Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/68.218.231.224|68.218.231.224]] to last version by Delicious carbuncle (using [[WP:HG|Huggle]])
{{Expert|date=May 2008}}
'''Hygiene''' refers to practices associated with ensuring good health and cleanliness. Such practices vary widely and what is considered acceptable in one [[culture]] may be unacceptable in another. In medical contexts, the term "hygiene" refers to the maintenance of [[health]] and healthy living. The term appears in phrases such as personal hygiene, domestic hygiene, [[Oral hygiene|dental hygiene]], and [[occupational hygiene]] and is frequently used in connection with [[public health]]. The term "hygiene" is derived from [[Hygieia]], the [[Greek mythology|Greek goddess]] of [[health]], cleanliness and sanitation. Hygiene is also a science that deals with the promotion and preservation of health. Also called hygienics.
== Personal hygiene ==
The following are examples of personal hygiene as practiced in many cultures.
===General===
* [[Washing]] the body and hair.
** [[Bathing]]
** [[Shower]]ing
* [[laundry|Cleaning of the clothes]] and [[Household chore|living area]].
* Changing bedsheets when a different person sleeps on the bed.
* Cutting of nails.
* Cutting of hair.
*Cleaning of nails.
*Cleaning the house.
===Hands===
* Frequent [[hand washing|washing of hands]] and face.
* Washing hands after using the toilet.
* Holding a [[Tissue paper|tissue]] over the mouth or using the upper arm/elbow region when [[coughing]] or [[sneezing]], rather than a bare hand. Alternatively, washing hands afterwards.
* Not touching animals before eating, or washing hands thoroughly between animal-touching and eating.
* Suppression of objectionable habits, such as [[nose-picking]], touching pimples, biting fingernails etc.
* Not sharing toothbrushes, razors, towels, combs, hair brushes, and other personal objects.
===Other===
* [[Oral hygiene]]—taking care of the [[teeth]] and [[gums]], and treating or preventing [[bad breath]]
** Daily [[Tooth brushing|brushing]] (with [[toothpaste]]) and [[Dental floss|flossing]] the teeth, to prevent [[tooth decay]] and [[gum disease]]. This also helps treat and prevent bad breath.
** [[Chewing gum]] or rinsing mouth with antibacterial mouthwashes (such as [[Listerine]]) can also dispel [[bad breath]]
* Avoiding contact with [[bodily fluid]]s, such as [[blood]], [[feces]], [[urine]], and [[vomit]].
* Wearing clean [[underwear]], [[pantyhose]] or [[tights]] and clothing daily. Washing working / social-[[uniform]] / [[clothing]] at a regular time-interval.
* Frequent washing of face.
===Grooming===
{{main|Personal grooming}}
The related term [[personal grooming]]/[[grooming]] means to enhance one's [[physical appearance]] or appeal for others, by removing obvious [[Perfection#Aesthetic perfection|imperfections]] in one's appearance or improving one's hygiene.
Many [[animal]]s groom themselves and each other. Grooming in humans typically includes bathroom activities such as primping: [[Hair washing|washing and cleansing the hair]], [[Hair care|combing]] it to extract tangles and snarls, and [[Hairstyle|styling]].
It can also include [[Cosmetics|cosmetic]] care of the body, such as [[shaving]] and other forms of [[depilation]].
== Food and cooking hygiene ==
: ''Main article: [[Food and cooking hygiene]]. See also [[Food safety]].''
The purposes of food and cooking hygiene are to prevent [[Food contaminants|food contamination]], the [[Disease transmission|transmission of disease]], and to prevent [[food poisoning]]. Food and cooking hygiene protocols specify safe ways to handle and prepare food, and safe methods of serving and eating it. Such protocols include
* Cleaning of food-preparation areas and equipment (for example using designated cutting boards for preparing [[Raw food diet|raw]] meats and vegetables). (Cleaning may involve use of [[chlorine bleach]] for sterilization.)
* Careful avoidance of meats contaminated by [[trichina worm]]s, [[salmonella]], and other pathogens; or thorough cooking of questionable meats.
* Extreme care in preparing raw foods, such as [[sushi]] and [[sashimi]].
* Institutional [[Dishwashing|dish sanitizing]] by washing with soap and clean water.
* Washing of hands after touching uncooked food when [[Cooking|preparing meals]].
* Not using the same [[Kitchenware|utensils]] to prepare different foods.
* Not sharing [[cutlery]] when eating.
* Not licking fingers or hands while or after eating.
* Not reusing serving utensils that have been licked.
* Proper [[Food storage|storage of food]] so as to prevent [[food poisoning|contamination]] by [[vermin]].
* [[Refrigeration]] of foods (and avoidance of specific foods in environments where refrigeration is or was not feasible).
* Labeling food to indicate when it was produced (or, as food manufacturers prefer, to indicate its [[Shelf life|"best before" date]]).
* Proper disposal of uneaten food and packaging.
== Medical hygiene ==
* Proper [[Bandage|bandaging]] and [[dressing (medical)|dressing]] of [[injuries]].
* Use of protective clothing, such as [[Surgical mask|mask]]s, [[Hospital gown|gown]]s, [[cap]]s, [[Eye protection|eyewear]] and [[Medical gloves|gloves]].
* [[Sterilization (microbiology)|Sterilization]] of instruments used in [[surgery|surgical procedures]].
* Safe [[waste disposal|disposal]] of [[hazardous waste|medical waste]].
Most of these practices were developed in the 19th century and were well established by the mid-20th century. Some procedures (such as disposal of medical waste) were tightened up as a result of late-20th century disease outbreaks, notably [[AIDS]] and [[Ebola]].
== Personal service / served hygiene ==
* Sterilization of instruments used by [[hairdresser]]s.
* Sterilization by [[autoclave]] of instruments used in [[body piercing]] and [[tattoo|tattoo marking]]
* Cleaning hands before eating in food outlets, such as using soap to wash or [[wet wipe]] to mop up
==Excessive hygiene==
Excessive hygiene practices may cause allergic diseases. Some parts of the body, e.g. the [[ear canal]], or inside of the [[vagina]] are mostly better left alone for the body's own cleaning systems. Also, excessive application of soaps, creams, and ointments can adversely affect certain of the body's natural processes. For examples, soaps and ointments can deplete the skin of natural protective oils, and some substances can be absorbed and, even in trace amounts, disturb natural hormonal balances.
===Hygiene hypothesis===
{{Main|Hygiene hypothesis}}
In [[medicine]], the hygiene hypothesis states that a lack of early childhood exposure to infectious agents, and later a lack of exposure to [[helminths]] as adults, increases susceptibility to [[allergy|allergic]] diseases <ref>Strachan DP. Family size, infection and atopy: the first decade of the "hygiene hypothesis". Thorax 55 Suppl 1:S2-10.: S2-10, 2000.</ref>.
===External ear canals===
{{See also|Cotton swab#ear hazards}}
The [[ear canals]] have a perfectly functioning cleaning system of their own, and don't normally need assistance. In fact, attempts to clean the ear canals may only do the opposite, since [[earwax]], carrying debris and other material towards to opening, is pushed back inwards.
===Dryness===
The skin has a natural layer of fat, which protects the skin from e.g. drought. When washing, unless using [[aqueous cream]]s, etc., with compensatory mechanisms, this layer is removed, leaving the skin unprotected. By this mechanism, excessive washing may eventually trigger [[eczema]].{{Fact|date=May 2008}}
== History of hygienic practices ==
Elaborate codes of hygiene can be found in several Hindu texts such as the [[Manusmriti]] and the [[Vishnu Purana]].<ref>[http://www.sulabhtoiletmuseum.org/fact.htm Sulabh International Museum of Toilets<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Bathing is one of the five [[Nitya karma]]s (daily duties) in Sikhism, not performing which leads to sin according to some scriptures. These codes were based on the notion of [[ritual purity]] and were not informed by an understanding of the causes of diseases and their means of transmission. However, some of the ritual-purity codes did improve hygiene, from an epidemiological point of view, more or less by accident.
Regular bathing was a hallmark of [[Ancient Rome|Roman civilization]].<ref>[http://www.channel4.com/history/microsites/T/timeteam/snapshot_rom_bath.html Roman bath houses]</ref> Elaborate [[Thermae|baths]] were constructed in urban areas to serve the public, who typically demanded the infrastructure to maintain personal cleanliness. The complexes usually consisted of large, swimming pool-like baths, smaller cold and hot pools, saunas, and spa-like facilities where individuals could be depilated, oiled, and massaged. Water was constantly changed by an [[aqueduct]]-fed flow. Bathing outside of urban centers involved smaller, less elaborate bathing facilities, or simply the use of clean bodies of water. Roman cities also had large [[sewer]]s, such as Rome's [[Cloaca Maxima]], into which public and private latrines drained. Romans didn't have demand-flush toilets but did have some toilets with a continuous flow of water under them. (Similar toilets are seen in [[Acre]] Prison in the film ''[[Exodus (film)|Exodus]].'')
Until the late 19th Century, only the elite in Western cities typically possessed indoor facilities for relieving bodily functions. The poorer majority used communal facilities built above [[cesspool]]s in backyards and courtyards. This changed after Dr. [[John Snow (physician)|John Snow]] discovered that [[cholera]] was transmitted by the fecal contamination of water. Though it took decades for his findings to gain wide acceptance, governments and sanitary reformers were eventually convinced of the health benefits of using sewers to keep human waste from contaminating water. This encouraged the widespread adoption of both the flush [[toilet]] and the moral imperative that bathrooms should be indoors and as private as possible.<ref>''[http://www.amazon.com/dp/193259521X Poop Culture: How America is Shaped by its Grossest National Product]'', ISBN 1-932-59521-X</ref>
===Islamic world===
{{main|Islamic hygienical jurisprudence}}
{{see|Islamic cleanliness|Wudu|Ghusl|Islamic dietary laws|Islamic toilet etiquette}}
Since the [[7th century]], [[Islam]] has always placed a strong emphasis on hygiene. Other than the need to be ritually clean in time for the daily prayer (Arabic: ''[[Salah]]'') through [[Wudu]] and [[Ghusl]], there are a large number of other hygiene-related rules governing the lives of Muslims. Other issues include the [[Islamic dietary laws]]. In general, the [[Qur'an]] advises Muslims to uphold high standards of physical hygiene and to be ritually clean whenever possible.
===Europe===
Contrary to popular belief<ref>[http://historymedren.about.com/od/dailylifesociety/a/bod_weddings.htm The Bad Old Days — Weddings & Hygiene]</ref> and although the Early Christian leaders condemned bathing as unspiritual,<ref>[http://www.wordinfo.info/words/index/info/view_unit/2701 Ablutions or Bathing, Historical Perspectives + (Latin: ''abluere'', to wash away)<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> bathing and sanitation were not lost in Europe with the collapse of the [[Roman Empire]].<ref>[http://www.vlib.us/medieval/lectures/black_death.html The Great Famine (1315-1317) and the Black Death (1346-1351)]</ref><ref>[http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/middle-ages-hygiene.htm Middle Ages Hygiene]</ref> As a matter of fact, [[soapmaking]] first became an established trade during the so-called "[[Dark Ages]]." The [[Ancient Rome|Romans]] used [[scent]]ed [[oils]] (mostly from Egypt), among other alternatives. Also, contrary to myth, chamber pots were not emptied out the window and into streets in the European Middle Ages—this was instead a Roman practice. Bathing in fact did not fall out of fashion in Europe until shortly after the [[Renaissance]], replaced by the heavy use of sweat-bathing and [[perfume]], as it was thought in Europe that water could carry disease into the body through the skin. (Water, in fact, does carry disease, but more often if it is drunk than if one bathes in it; and water only carries disease if it is contaminated by [[pathogens]].) Modern sanitation as we know it was not widely adopted until the 19th and 20th centuries. According to medieval historian Lynn Thorndike, people in [[Middle Ages|Medieval Europe]] probably bathed more than people did in the 19th century.<ref>[http://www.godecookery.com/mtales/mtales08.htm Tales of the Middle Ages - Daily Life<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
== Academic resources ==
* International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, ISSN: 1438-4639, [[Elsevier]]
==See also==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
* [[Carl Rogers Darnall]]
* [[Clean Living Movements]]
* [[Cleanliness]]
*[[Contamination control]]
* [[Oral hygiene|Dental hygiene]]
* [[Feminine hygiene]]
* [[Foodborne pathogen detection]]
* [[Hand washing]]
* [[Hygiene hypothesis]]
* [[Hygiene program]]
{{col-2}}
* [[Islamic hygienical jurisprudence]]
* [[occupational hygiene]], the practice of controlling workplace exposure to harmful agents.
* [[Personal care]]
* [[Public health]]
* [[Public hygiene]]
* [[Sleep hygiene]]
* [[Social hygiene movement]]
* [[Typhoid Mary]]
* [[Toiletry]]
{{col-end}}
==References==
<references/>
==External links==
{{Wiktionary}}
* [http://www.tufts.edu/med/apua/Patients/handwashing.html Alliance for Prudent Use of Antibiotics on hand washing]
* [http://www.cdc.gov/handhygiene/ Centers for Disease Control on hand hygiene in healthcare settings]
* [http://www.educationusa.state.gov/life/culture/customs.htm#personal U.S. State Department information on hygiene customs in the United States].
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[[Category:Medical hygiene]]
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