With the current pandemic caused by Covid-19, our lives have changed radically, but so have our hygiene habits. How have they changed? Will these habits be maintained over time? Can excessive hygiene be harmful?
Dr. Pablo Odeley, a renowned specialist in Family Medicine, answers all these questions on World Hygiene Day, which is celebrated today, September 3.
What hygiene habits have we acquired with the pandemic, and why are they important?
In the past we used to wash our hands before eating or when we went to the bathroom, but with Covid this has changed drastically. Now we tend to do it very frequently, usually whenever we have the opportunity, when we touch any surface, or simply when we get home before touching any object.
Another notable example is the use of hydroalcoholic gel. This was rarely used before the pandemic, not to say that it was exclusively for use by doctors and hospitals, or people who traveled regularly. Currently its use is widespread, it is difficult to get to a place and not find gel at our disposal, even in most businesses and offices is required its application before entering, in cabs is also common to see that there is for use by customers, and some private transport companies even promote it as a technique to attract customers. In addition, we also tend to carry it with us all the time, in small format.
Another measure that we can consider hygienic to a certain extent is the incorporation of face masks, which we can consider another hygienic measure nowadays, as it prevents the spread of germs and viruses, such as the flu. In fact, the incidence of influenza and other respiratory diseases decreased considerably after the pandemic. So we can say that these hygienic measures have contributed significantly.
Have we become obsessed with hygiene?
We can say that we have developed an obsession with hygiene products. In the case of daily bathing, according to studies by various institutions, there has been a considerable increase in general, from showering once a day before the pandemic to three times a day now, in some cases. At the same time, there has also been a considerable increase in the consumption of water for domestic use, which supports the above statement.
Can excessive hygiene be harmful (for the skin, for some parts of the body…)?
All these measures also have negative consequences. The excessive use of chemical products for hygiene, such as hydroalcoholic products, has led to a number of skin conditions, such as dermatitis, which were previously less frequent. Dermatologists also report an increase in the number of consultations for skin conditions due to the use of products that are not suitable for this purpose. In fact, in some patients chemical burns can be perceived, others have simply developed some types of allergies related to the excessive use of alcohol or other chemical products without having passed the due safety process.
We have modified our habits and our brain has incorporated, as a defense mechanism, the desire to stay cleaner at all costs. Unfortunately, this is not entirely beneficial. In women, for example, vaginal and urinary infections appear more frequently due to excessive hygiene in the intimate parts. In other cases, there has been an increase in hair loss, which is usually attributed to stress, but the main cause may be the improper use of products. Some health centers worldwide also report a significant increase in chlorine and other cleaning product intoxications.
Importance of verifying that hygiene products have quality certifications
The production of hand gels has also skyrocketed worldwide and, often, the high demand means that the production process is not always the most appropriate, or that products are used that are not intended for this purpose. That is why it is also important to know what kind of products we use for our hands, to verify that it is a certified quality product can help us to avoid greater evils in the future.
On the other hand, special attention should be paid to which products are used on children. As they have thinner skin, they tend to be more affected by improper use of skin care products or simply overuse. Some brands only test on adults, so if the product does not indicate that it is suitable for children, it should not be used on them.
In conclusion, we could say that the new general hygiene habits acquired during the pandemic are here to stay. No matter how much the general measures are relaxed in the face of Covid-19, we have already incorporated these habits into our daily routine. But it is important to keep in mind that excessive hygiene is not always the most advisable thing to do; we must keep in mind that proper application can be more effective.