How Much Do You Know About Pre-Teen Hygiene?

Hygiene is about being CLEAN! Here are some tips:

1. Wash your hands with soap and water before eating and after using the toilet.
2. Blow your nose with tissue and throw it in the trash.
3. Cover your mouth when sneezing or coughing to avoid passing germs.
4. Using other peoples' things like a comb, brush, toothbrush or towel spreads germs.
5. Put on clean underwear and socks every day after your shower. Even if you are clean, putting on dirty clothes will smell.
6. Use sunscreen (SPF 15) to protect your skin from getting burned.

Nail Care

1. It's good to clean under your fingernails with soap and water using a nail brush.
2. Remember to cut your toenails and wash your feet.

Eye Care

1. Have your eyes checked every year.
2. Rinse and store contact lenses in clean (sterile) saline solution.
3. Sharing contact lenses spreads germs from one person to another.

Nutrition

1. Drinking milk, eating yogurt or cottage cheese each day helps your bones grow strong.
2. Healthy, low fat food and regular exercise help you look good “head to toe”.
3. Eat fruits, vegetables, bread, cereal, eggs and fish to help your hair grow shiny.
4. Eating healthy food helps your whole body.
5. Try to drink at least 8 glasses of water each day to help keep your skin clear and healthy.

Hair and Skin Care

1. Wash your body with soap and rinse with water every day.
2. It is important to wash the armpits, feet and between the legs. Smelly bacteria like to hide in these places.
3. If you can't take a bath, use a wet towel and soap to clean your body.
4. The body sweats to cool itself off. Cotton clothes help keep you cool and dry.
5. During the pre-teen years, your skin may be more oily, so wash twice a day with a gentle soap.
6. Your hair may also be more oily, so you may need to wash it every 1-2 days.
7. Using a wash cloth, wash behind and inside your ears with soap and water, not a Q-tip.
8. If you run our of soap, rinsing your face with water is OK.
9. Touching your face puts germs onto your skin and may cause sores and itching.
10. When it is hot outside, try using baking soda instead of deodorant or powder to keep your body dry.
11. Putting deodorant on over stinky armpits will not stop the smell.
12. Make sure you clean before visiting the doctor.

For Girls Only…

1. Don't share mascara, lipstick, chap stick or eye makeup - sharing will pass germs.
2. After using the toilet, always wipe yourself from front-to-back to avoid getting an infection.
3. During your period, it is OK to take a bath or shower.

Being clean makes you feel and smell good!