Poor hygiene can be a sign of self-neglect, which is the inability or unwillingness to attend to one’s personal needs and can lead to various hygiene-related diseases. Do you know Dementia is one of the common causes of poor hygiene? Physical disability can also interfere with one’s ability to care for oneself which may result in an inability to attend to personal hygiene. Various diseases are caused by poor hygiene and can be prevented if taken care of hygiene habits.
Top 15 Diseases Which Are Caused by Poor Hygiene
1. Ringworm
Ringworm is basically a skin which is caused by fungus. It causes a circular rash (shaped like a ring) which is red and itchy, that is why it is called ringworm. Ringworm causing fungi live on skin, surfaces, and on household items such as clothing, towels, and bedding. This can be prevented by keeping personal hygiene.
2. Head Lice
Head Lice are most commonly spread by close person-to-person contact. They are parasitic insects that can be found on the head and neck and survive by feeding on human blood. It can be prevented by avoiding head-to-head contact, using personal clothes, combs, towels, etc
3. Athlete’s Foot
An athlete’s foot is an infection of the skin and feet that can be caused by a variety of different fungi and affect any portion of the foot. It is typically characterized by skin fissures or scales that can be red and itchy. Appropriate hygiene techniques may help to prevent or control this disease like keeping feet clean, dry and cool, etc.
4. Dental caries
Dental caries or dental cavities, often called as tooth decay, are caused by a breakdown of the tooth enamel. It is a result of bacteria on teeth that break down foods and produce acid that destroys tooth enamel. It can be prevented by fluoridated water, good oral hygiene, visiting the dentist for professional cleanings, etc.
5. Lymphatic Filariasis
Lymphatic filariasis is a mosquito borne parasitic disease caused by microscopic, thread-like worms and can be prevented if taken care of personal hygiene like proper treatment of wounds, washing the affected body parts daily with antiseptic soaps, and keeping nails and spaces between toes clean.
6. Chronic Diarrhea
Chronic diarrhea lasts for more than 2-4 weeks which is why it is termed as chronic. It may result in disorder of pancreas, intestinal disorders, disorder of the thyroid, reduced blood flow, etc. It can be prevented by drinking clean safe water, and maintaining good hand hygiene like washing hands properly with soap and water before handling food, etc.
7. Pinworms
Pinworms are small, thin, white roundworms that sometimes live in the colon and rectum of humans because of poor hygiene problems. It can be prevented by strict observance of good hand hygiene like avoiding fingernails biting, scratching the skin in the perianal area, handwashing before eating or handling food, after using the toilet, etc.
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8. Scabies
Human Scabies are caused by an infestation of the skin by the human itch mite and hygiene issues. Its symptoms are intense itching and a pimple-like skin rash. It is spread by direct prolonged, skin-to-skin contact with a person who has scabies. Good hygiene can prevent the cause and spread of scabies.
9. Trachoma
Trachoma is one of the leading causes of preventable blindness of infectious origin which is caused by bacteria and is commonly spread through direct personal contact, shared clothes, towels, and flies that come in contact with the eyes and nose of an infected person. Good personal hygiene and sanitation practices can prevent this disease’s cause and spread.
10. Podoconiosis
Podoconiosis is a type of elephantiasis (swelling of the limbs) that is neither caused by any bacteria, virus or parasite nor is communicable. It looks like Lymphatic filariasis but both are different and their treatment is also different but prevention is the same, i.e. Proper personal hygiene like washing feet carefully with soap and clean water, wearing shoes every day to protect feet from the soil, etc.
11. Body Lice
Body lice occurs when a certain type of lice counters the body and clothing and are spread by close contact with other people and are typically found in areas of poor hygiene and crowding. Common symptoms are intense itching, rash, thickened or darkened skin, etc It can be prevented by Good hygiene and regularly washing clothes and bed linens.
12. Swimmer’s Ear
Swimmer’s ear is basically an outer ear infection of the outer opening of the ear and the ear canal, which connects the outside of the ear to the eardrum and is medically known as otitis externa. It’s common in people who spend a lot of time in swimming and results in swelling, redness, and itching.
13. Hot Tub Rash
Hot Tub Rash is commonly known as Chlorine rash. Chlorine is used by pool owners to disinfect pool water and make it safe for swimming. While it is important but have some disadvantage as well and can result in irritation, skin dryness, and various other skin problem. It can be treated if one contacts a doctor at an early stage.
14. Pneumonia
Pneumonia is basically a lung infection caused by bacteria, viruses, and fungi that can range from mild to so severe that you have to go to the hospital. Its symptoms include chest pain, coughing, fever, and nausea. It can be treated as well as prevented but one needs to have good personal hygiene to stop its spread.
15. Food Poisoning
Food Poisoning is also known as Foodborne illness which is a result of eating contaminated, spoiled, or toxic food and causes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It can be treated at home and in most cases it gets resolved within 3-5 days but during that period one must avoid consuming caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine.
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