Latest news with #personalhygiene
CNET
23-07-2025
- Health
- CNET
Say Bye to Excess Ear Wax. Here's How to Clean Your Ears Safely
Keeping your ears clean is an essential part of good personal hygiene, but how you go about it is equally important. Here's how you can do it safely, if and when needed, to keep muffled hearing at bay and any gunk off your favorite earbuds. The truth about Q-tips The cotton swab, better known as the Q-tip, is the most common device used for cleaning your ears. Its shortcomings illustrate the basic problems with using these types of instruments for earwax removal. Thanks to their long, narrow shape, Q-tips are more likely to push earwax into your ear than pulling it out. When you attempt to use one to clean your ear canal, you risk simply compacting the earwax and creating a blockage that makes it harder to hear. Worse still, if you push a Q-tip too hard or too far into your ear canal, you may actually puncture your ear drum. The ear canal is only about an inch (2.5 centimeters) deep, so there's not a lot of margin for error. One ear, nose and throat specialist CNET previously spoke with has even treated patients who seriously damaged their eardrums by answering the phone with a Q-tip sticking out of one of their ears. That's a phone call that can truly ruin your day! In general, it's best to use cotton swabs -- or even just a tissue or damp, clean rag -- to clean the outer portion of your ear, outside the canal. ronstik/Getty Images Ear cleaning 101 As gross as we may think it is, earwax is actually essential to your ear health. According to Harvard Medical School, not only does it lubricate your ear canal and protect your eardrum, it also has antibacterial and antifungal properties. It naturally protects against harmful buildup, gathering dead skin cells and dirt as it gradually moves toward your outer ear on its own. In other words, earwax makes your ears naturally self-cleaning. In most cases, you don't need to dig into your ear canals or do anything to clean them out -- they'll do the job on their own. That said, some people produce more earwax than others, and this can cause excessive buildup leading to discomfort or hearing trouble. Hearing aid wearers, in particular, can suffer from excessive earwax buildup due to the extra vibrations in their ears. Whatever the cause, if earwax is getting to you, it's important to see a doctor and assess the best course of treatment. If your doctor gives the thumbs-up, there are a few DIY ear-cleaning methods that can be done safely and effectively: Wipe with a damp washcloth : This is the safest and best method of all. You can't really get inside your ear canal with your finger, and gently rubbing around the outside of it with a damp cloth is usually sufficient to clear out any earwax buildup. : This is the safest and best method of all. You can't really get inside your ear canal with your finger, and gently rubbing around the outside of it with a damp cloth is usually sufficient to clear out any earwax buildup. Rinse your ear canal: If you think you may have some earwax stubbornly lodged in your ear canal, you can often rinse it out, per Harvard Medical School. Soak a cotton ball in warm water, a saline solution, mineral oil or hydrogen peroxide, then hold it over your ear canal and tilt your opposite ear toward the floor. After you let it drip in and soak into the wax for a minute or so, tilt your head the other way and let the softened wax drip out. If you think you may have some earwax stubbornly lodged in your ear canal, you can often rinse it out, per Harvard Medical School. Soak a cotton ball in warm water, a saline solution, mineral oil or hydrogen peroxide, then hold it over your ear canal and tilt your opposite ear toward the floor. After you let it drip in and soak into the wax for a minute or so, tilt your head the other way and let the softened wax drip out. Try over-the-counter ear drops: These drops serve much the same function of "ear irrigation" as the above method but may also come with a dropper or bulb syringe. Doctors recommend avoiding the syringe if you have damaged your eardrum, as this can let water into the middle ear and put you at risk of serious not to use to clean your ears Although the above methods of earwax removal can be done safely, there are some popular tools and techniques you should avoid. These may be popular on social media, but that doesn't mean they're safe for your ears. Ear candling : Ear-candling kits, which have grown in popularity in recent years, claim to soften the wax and draw it out by lighting a flame on a long funnel that you place in your ear canal. According to Consumer Reports, this method is highly dubious among doctors. The Food and Drug Administration has long recommended against using ear candles due to the risk of burns, punctures and more. : Ear-candling kits, which have grown in popularity in recent years, claim to soften the wax and draw it out by lighting a flame on a long funnel that you place in your ear canal. According to Consumer Reports, this method is highly dubious among doctors. The Food and Drug Administration has long recommended against using ear candles due to the risk of burns, punctures and more. Ear-cleaning kits that can go deep into the ear : Some kits offer tiny spade-like or drill-shaped tools that promise to pull wax out of your ear canal. However, doctors urge caution with these types of instruments. Some of them can go dangerously deep into your canal, while others are sharp enough to cut your ear canal. : Some kits offer tiny spade-like or drill-shaped tools that promise to pull wax out of your ear canal. However, doctors urge caution with these types of instruments. Some of them can go dangerously deep into your canal, while others are sharp enough to cut your ear canal. Any sharp objects: As noted above, it's best to avoid anything sharp, whether it's a store-bought tool or a bobby pins. Cuts can cause bleeding and scabbing, which can obstruct your hearing and expose you to infection. Who shouldn't clean their ears at home? Those with diabetes or who rely on blood thinners should be especially cautious about cleaning their ears. These conditions make it more difficult to stop bleeding, and that's particularly problematic if you get tiny cuts inside your ear from cleaning it too roughly. Those aren't the only people who should think twice before digging into their ears, though. In most cases, it's best to leave ear-canal cleaning to the professionals. They have better tools and a better view and can help you remove earwax safely. FAQs What is the safest way to clean your ears? The safest way to keep your ears clean is to wet a cloth with warm water and wipe around the outer ear. Use warm water is best because it'll help "degrease" the area. You can also use the irrigation method to rinse your ear. While you might feel that the long, narrow shape of a Q-tip makes it the most effective way to keep your ear clean, its design can lead to awful injuries, especially if a Q-tip is pushed in too deep.
The Sun
01-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Never buy deodorant again thanks to a 20p a go Boots buy that STOPS you sweating – yes even in this heat
A BEAUTY whizz has shared her top tip to put a stop to smelly pits this summer. Elle McNamara (AKA Bambi Does Beauty) took to social media to share her summer hack just in time for the hot weather. 3 The 34-year-old revealed that the buy stops your armpits from smelling, and it works even better than deodorant. In the clip, she said: "You know when people say this beauty tip is going to change your life? "Well this one actually will. Personal Hygiene Tip 101. "If you use this face wash on your underarms, you won't even need to wear deodorant." She recommended using a shower gel with 4% Benzoyl Peroxide. She said the product, which is often used to treat bacterial acne, also kills the bacteria which causes your sweat to smell. Instead of using it on your face, Elle recommended applying it to your underarms for a few minutes, like a face mask, before washing it off. She added: "For my sweaty gals who want a non-stanky summer! "Just make sure to use a separate washcloth to remove it cos benzoyl peroxide stains the life out of everything." It's best to use a 4 or 5% product as any stronger may cause a rash under the arms. My nose is permanently red after sunburn She also recommended using it just once a week and it should be enough to keep the smell at bay. You can buy the face wash Acnecide from Tesco for as little as £10 and it will cost less than 20p a go. The clip went viral on her TikTok account @ bambidoesbeauty with over 734k views and 31k likes. People were quick to thank her in the comments. One person wrote: "Yes, it definitely works but you need to wash it off super well otherwise it's going to stain your clothes!" How to keep cool in hot weather Most of us welcome hot weather, but when it's too hot, there are health risks. Here are three ways to keep cool according to the NHS... Keep out of the heat if you can. If you have to go outside, stay in the shade especially between 11am and 3pm, wear sunscreen, a hat and light clothes, and avoid exercise or activity that makes you hotter. Cool yourself down. Have cold food and drinks, avoid alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks, and have a cool shower or put cool water on your skin or clothes. Keep your living space cool. Close windows during the day and open them at night when the temperature outside has gone down. Electric fans can help if the temperature is below 35 degrees. Check the temperature of rooms, especially where people at higher risk live and sleep. Another commented: "They also have a spray that works well." "Tried it - works like charm! especially in the summer," penned a third. Meanwhile a fourth said: "It most definitely works 100%, I only use it like 2 times a week and it's magic." "It's amaaaaaaazing, hands down beats any product for sweat,' claimed a fifth
Washington Post
04-06-2025
- General
- Washington Post
My 11-year-old daughter doesn't wash her hair or brush her teeth effectively
Dear Meghan: Our 11-year-old daughter is not motivated by personal hygiene. She will shower when reminded to, but she does not wash her hair effectively (I still have to wash it for her sometimes to make sure it gets clean). She is in puberty and is starting to get pimples on her face, but she will not wash her face at night unless I basically walk her into the bathroom and do it with her. When she brushes her teeth in the morning, she still has morning breath afterward, so clearly is not doing an effective job. I am at a loss. We have worked with her and, frankly, nagged her for years, and I'm just tired of it. Is this developmentally appropriate? We do not believe she is neurodivergent, and she's a great kid — smart, social and involved in a lot of activities. I don't understand this refusal to do the basics of effective personal hygiene. The approach we've been taking is clearly not working, so I would love some advice. Thank you! — Nagging Not Working Nagging Not Working: Personal hygiene is a sticky issue in these in-between years. Your daughter is no longer a young girl, but she's not quite a teen yet. Hormones, changes in her body and social pressures all take center stage at this age, and three things come to mind when I read this letter. First, parents need to understand the development stage of their child. Second, I am not sure that neurodivergence is off the table. And third, you need to find a new style of communication with her, stat. Developmentally, your daughter is experiencing puberty in her body, but her mind may still be immature. In her book, 'The Crucial Years,' psychologist Sheryl Gonzalez Ziegler says: 'Children in the earlier years of middle school aren't equipped for puberty. Their bodies may be maturing faster, but their brains are not. … This means that kids under the age of twelve aren't ready to understand or process many of the feelings and situations their changing bodies might lead to.' Essentially I am wondering, despite the nagging and helping, does your daughter actually understand what is happening in her body? She needs guidance and support, beginning with flipping through a book (choose one that matches your family's values) with her, detailing what puberty is and isn't. This isn't a moment of shame, 'See, this is why you have more zits and your hair is oily!' Rather, it's a moment to say: 'Hey, everyone goes through this, and here are some ideas for how to take care of your body. Let's figure it out so it works for you.' I know that there is much talk about the autism spectrum these days, but it is worth mentioning that girls go un- and underdiagnosed, often well into adulthood, because of how well they mask (which is the term used for coping to look 'neurotypical' in social settings and even with family). It isn't that people with autism don't 'care' about hygiene, it's that their sensory system is sometimes overwhelmed, clouding how well a task has been completed or even completed at all. Some people hate the feeling of sudsy hair, or the toothpaste is too minty. And some people simply get stuck in their own minds and don't attend to needs right in front of them — which is maddening until you understand that this is not a willpower issue. Finally, I don't know whether your standards of cleanliness are, in fact, appropriate for your daughter. Check with your pediatrician to see whether your expectations are in line with typical hygiene behavior in an 11-year-old. If your expectations are reasonable, use the Ross Greene Collaborative and Proactive Solutions problem-solving method to find solutions that work for both parties (there are books, a website and trained facilitators). Hygiene is important, but your daughter's voice must be centered here, and the Greene model allows for both parent and child to voice their point of view. When the parent is controlling a child's body as much as you are, this problem-solving model may feel slow and frustrating at first, but there's a bigger goal: We want our children to find reliance on and independence with their own bodies. You may have a vision of cleaner hair and fresh breath (understandably), but let's instead focus on helping your daughter grow skills to care for her own body. There are numerous resources available in the Greene approach, and don't be afraid to hire someone trained in the framework to help you. In the meantime, immediately find and praise what your daughter is doing well. She may feel quite ashamed by your fussing over her body, so establish a deeper connection by creating situations where your daughter shines (especially when it comes to self-care). Whether it is her outfit or hair style, find what is working and truly see her, while ignoring the bad breath and skin (for now). Get the support you need, start with her doctor and stay loving. Good luck.
Daily Mail
03-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Truth about 'whole-body' deodorant: Doctors reveal what really makes you smell, where to spray - and the best ways to truly beat body odour
Applying deodorant to the armpits is a morning routine for many – but is a squirt under the arms enough? There is an increasing number of 'whole body' deodorants on the market, designed not only to be applied to the armpits but also the feet, belly and 'underboobs' – even the genital area.
Health Line
21-05-2025
- Health
- Health Line
Anyone Can Get Head Lice — It Doesn't Matter How Often You Wash Your Hair
The myth that head lice prefer unwashed hair has fueled plenty of stigma. In reality, there's no link between these tiny parasites and personal hygiene. Anyone can get them. Getting head lice doesn't mean your hair, or any other part of your body, is 'dirty.' Even though some insects are attracted to unclean places, that's not the case for head lice. These parasites feed on blood, and anyone can acquire them. According to experts, it doesn't make a difference if you recently washed your hair or not. Lice are incredibly common around the world. Estimates suggest that each year, between 6 and 12 million infestations affect kids ages 3 to 11 in the United States. Read on to learn more about head lice spread, how to treat infestations, and what you can do to avoid getting head lice. Who is more likely to get lice? While you can get head lice at any age, lice do tend to affect children more often than adults. This may be because children tend to play closely, with their heads touching, and lice move from one scalp to the next through close head-to-head contact. Lice also tend to be more common in girls. Experts say this may happen because girls are more likely to play with their heads close together. Hair length doesn't have any effect on your risk of getting head lice. That said, you may have a harder time finding lice and their eggs (nits) in thick, long, natural, or curly hair. This has fueled a myth that people with coiled, curly hair can't get lice. In reality, people with any hair type or texture can get lice. How can you prevent head lice? Head lice don't care how often you shower or wash your hair. There's no tried-and-true way to prevent head lice, but you can take steps to lower your risk. Here are some recommendations: Avoid close head-to-head contact: Lice often spreads due to close contact at slumber parties, contact sports, and children's games. Just keep in mind, you won't get lice simply by standing near someone who has lice. Avoid sharing clothing or accessories that touch your hair: It's possible to transmit lice by sharing hats, hair ties, barrettes, scarves, and coats — anything that has prolonged contact with your head and hair. Avoid sharing brushes, combs, or other hair styling accessories: These items may also transmit lice, but this is less common. If you do share these items, you can kill lice by soaking them in hot water (at least 130°F, or 54°C) for 5 to 10 minutes. Avoid lying on communal couches, beds, pillows, and stuffed animals: Lice can live in bedding and furniture for up to 2 days. Always wash and dry bedding, clothing, and other items: If someone in your home has head lice, you can kill any lice in these items by washing them in hot water and drying them on high heat. If you can't wash something, you can dry clean it, or seal it in a plastic bag for 14 days to make sure all the nits (lice eggs) die. Vacuum your furniture and floor: Pay careful attention to carpeted areas, rugs, and furniture like sofas and chairs. What's the best way to treat head lice? You can't kill head lice by washing your hair with shampoo. If you have live lice or lice eggs in your hair, you'll need to use a special lice treatment. Over-the-counter (OTC) options approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) include: Permethrin 1% (Nix): Permethrin 1% is safe for children of all ages, including babies more than 2 months old. If your child under 2 months has lice, consider consulting a pediatrician. Pyrethrins and piperonyl butoxide (Pronto, Rid): You can use pyrethin treatments for children ages 2 and up, but avoid this option if you're allergic to chrysanthemums or ragweed. Both of these treatments kill live lice but not unhatched eggs. A second treatment, roughly a week after the first, can kill newly hatched lice. You can also ask a doctor about prescription treatments, such as: Benzoyl alcohol 5% (Ulesfia): This treatment kills lice but not unhatched eggs. You'll need to treat your hair again about a week later. Ivermectin 0.5% (Sklice): This treatment kills lice and seems to prevent newly hatched lice from living. Malathion 0.5%: This treatment kills live lice and some lice eggs. You may need a second treatment to kill any lice still living 7 to 9 days after treatment. It's only approved for use on those ages 6 and up. Spinosad 0.9%: This treatment kills live lice and unhatched eggs. Re-treatment isn't usually necessary. It's only approved for use on those ages 6 and up. If these methods don't get rid of head lice, your doctor may recommend trying lindane 1%. As this treatment is strong, experts only recommend it if other treatments are ineffective. If you use too much or swallow some by mistake, it may harm your brain or nervous system. Use this treatment once. This treatment isn't safe for: babies or children pregnant or nursing people older adults people who weigh under 110 pounds those living with HIV or seizures people who have sores or skin irritation on the application site Whichever treatment option you choose, consider checking your hair every 3 to 14 days after applying a treatment to ensure its effectiveness. Can you use home remedies instead of OTC treatments? As an alternative to OTC or prescription treatments, you can manually comb out the lice and nits with a fine-toothed comb or a specially designed lice comb. Applying olive oil to the hair can help capture the lice and nits. You'll need to repeat this at least every 2 to 3 days until all lice and eggs disappear — but keep in mind that experts say this may not work as a stand-alone treatment. Learn more about home remedies for head lice. Takeaway Anyone can get lice — no matter where you live, how old you are, or how often you wash your hair. Since lice feed on blood in your scalp, it doesn't matter whether your hair is freshly shampooed or not. If you or your child has lice, washing your hair or your child's hair with shampoo will not help. An effective OTC or prescription treatment can help you get rid of head lice, though certain treatments may require more than one application.
