theChat.scot

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Talking about Personal Hygiene (including looking after my private parts)

At this age young people are likely to be mostly independent with the daily tasks of personal hygiene – although they might still need reminders and help. If your child needs specific help, you will know what that is and you and they can use some of the suggested conversation starters and resources that work for you.

An occasional reminder of what we mean when we talk about personal hygiene might help. Also, a reminder that some things are daily, some regular. There might be some discussion about what level of independence or privacy they want with managing laundry/bedding.

What is personal hygiene? Hygiene is about keeping clean so that you can keep healthy. So, what do you need to do every day? Or regularly? What do you like to do on your own? Anything you like to get some help with?

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What’s going on because of puberty?

Changes with puberty may now be evident or just starting for some young people. When it comes to Keeping Clean here are a few things worth thinking about together.

Oily hair: Each strand of hair has its own oil gland that keeps the hair shiny and waterproof. During puberty, when the glands produce extra oil, it can make your hair look too shiny, oily, and greasy. Washing your hair regularly can help control oily hair.

Spots: This can be called acne or pimples. You get spots with puberty because your skin gets oily. You can get spots on your face, chest, back and bottom. You need to keep your skin clean. Try not to squeeze your spots, they will get dirty and infected.

Sweat and body odour: When puberty begins you will sweat more. Your sweat glands produce a new body odour with a stronger smell. Sweat can cause our body or clothes to smell bad. This is called body odour (or B.O.) You will notice sweat and new smells under your arms and maybe your feet and genitals (private parts). If you keep your body and your clothes clean, including changing your socks and pants, then bacteria (the stuff that smells) is less likely to grow.

Try to wash regularly.

Oral hygiene: Puberty doesn’t make a different to your oral hygiene so just keep brushing your teeth.

There is more on Talking about: Menstruation in this section of the resource.

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Hygiene and genitals (private parts)

Both girls and boys can begin to learn some good routines for the care of their genitals. Here are some reminders and tips you can give.

For girls:

You should be quite gentle when you wash around your vulva, don’t scrub.
Don’t use very hot water.
Try not to use shower gel, shampoo or bubble bath to wash that area of your body.
When you dry yourself, just pat gently.
If your underwear becomes wet with sweat or other fluids change your underwear.
If you are ever uncomfortable or itchy please tell me and I can help. 

For all boys:

Wash around your penis gently, using the soap/shower gel you use.
Don’t use very hot water.
Rinse off the soapiness from your penis and scrotum/testicles.
When you dry yourself, just pat gently.
If you are ever uncomfortable or itchy please tell me and I can help. 

And for boys with a foreskin:

If you foreskin comes back gently then you can wash there, but don’t be rough and pull it back. It will come back over the head of your penis once you have cleaned and rinsed it. If you have any problems with the foreskin coming back talk to me – don’t be embarrassed.

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Safety and public toilets.

Young people this age will be increasingly independent, out with friends in public spaces.  You should talk about using toilets safely if they go to a toilet in a public place like a supermarket, café, cinema, library or shopping mall – with safety tips like going with a friend or not going in if lone adults are using the toilet. If you are with them, you can supervise from a safe distance.

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Books

These books might be of interest. Maybe you could both read them and chat. Your library might have them, or you can ask them if they will order a book for you.

This book is a guide for mastering all the essentials of personal care.

Navigating teenage years can be challenging, but good hygiene shouldn’t be. This easy-to-follow guide provides 23 essential hygiene tips for boys and girls, covering everything from skincare and oral care to hair maintenance and personal grooming.

This book is a practical guide for teenagers who want to level up their hygiene, covering everything from showers to deodorant to laundry and changing clothes regularly.

This inclusive, body-positive puberty workbook for girls covers everything your daughter needs to know about teenage years. 

Hands-on activities with repetition and reinforcement. Suitable for children and young people with learning and developmental disabilities.