My Responsibilities
Adolescence brings changes to personal hygiene needs, requiring more frequent baths/showers, use of deodorant, proper hair and scalp care, regular dental hygiene, and understanding wet dreams for boys. Maintaining good hygiene practices is essential for overall health and well-being during this transitional period.
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Year B Module 3: My Responsibilities Lesson 12. Taking care of my body
12. Taking care of my body Taking care of my body In this unit we will: Consider the changes that puberty bring to personal hygiene needs Think about a personal hygiene plan
12. Taking care of my body Personal hygiene becomes more important in puberty. Here are some ideas for how you can take care of your body as you grow towards adulthood.
12. Taking care of my body Regular Washing It is typical for a young child to take a bath once a week. As you get older you will need to wash/shower more frequently. You begin to sweat more during puberty and when sweat reacts with the bacteria on your skin it produces an unpleasant smell body odour or BO. Taking regular showers and using deodorant helps reduce BO, especially after and intense physical activity such as sports or training.
12. Taking care of my body Hair and Scalp Because of increased oil production in the skin, it s very common for teenagers to have greasy hair. Choose a gentle shampoo and wash frequently you might want to skip the conditioner until the oil production balances out. Dandruff happens when the scalp is dry. Some people have sensitive skin on their scalp, and there are special shampoos to help wash your scalp gently and reduce dandruff.
12. Taking care of my body Bad breath You should brush your teeth morning and night, and floss once a day. Bad breath can come from debris in between the teeth that needs to be flossed out, or it could be a sign that there is some tooth decay you should get your teeth checked at the dentist every year, ideally twice a year. Sometimes you can get bad breath even with perfectly clean and healthy teeth it s just whatever bacteria are in your mouth. If you are self-conscious about bad breath and have had your teeth checked, there are different types of mouthwash to help but make sure they are not too harsh on your mouth and gums.
12. Taking care of my body Boys personal hygiene Wet dreams [sometimes called nocturnal emissions] are a normal part of life for boys going through puberty. Make sure to wash any underwear or bedclothes that get wet. Teenage boys tend to produce more sweat than girls, so regular washing is very important to get rid of strong body odour.
12. Taking care of my body Girls personal hygiene Adjusting to having a monthly period and how you can take care of your hygiene takes time so be patient with yourself. The female cycle [your body s natural fertility] is an incredibly awesome thing. Sanitary towels and tampons should be changed every 4-8 hours. Schools always have a supply of sanitary products, so don t be afraid to ask. Be gentle while washing. Use water or a very mild unperfumed shower gel, as strongly scented products can irritate delicate skin. You don t need to wash inside the vagina this part of your body has its own system for keeping clean. Over washing or using harsh toiletries can lead to irritation or can change the balance of bacteria and cause an infection.
12. Taking care of my body Outside of your period, it is normal to have some discharge from the vagina this vaginal fluid keeps the vagina clean and moist. Normal discharge is clear or white in colour, doesn t smell strongly. It can also be a thick clear mucus type substance which is normal. A change in the discharge can be a sign of infection a fishy smell can be a sign of a bacterial infection (called bacterial vaginosis often caused by over washing or using perfumed shower gel), and a thick cottage-cheese-like discharge is a sign of a yeast infection (this is more likely if you ve been on antibiotics). Once you get to know what is normal for you, you can be alert for any changes.
12. Taking care of my body Be aware Sexually Transmitted Infections or STIs are infections that are spread through sexual contact contact with the genitals of another person. We will look at these in more detail next year, but for now be aware that if you have been in sexual contact with another person and develop pain or itch in the genital area, have an unusual discharge, or pain while urinating you should speak to a doctor urgently.
