Teaching hygiene to (stinky) 5th grade girls

NanaPoo · Oct 29, 2015

EARLY in the 5th grade year is a great time for this talk. The boys need it, too! And sticks of deodorant is an exceptional prize. Girly soap would be a good prize, also.

Everyone says around here the 5th graders leave their own smell cloud when they pass by. And not in a good way.

JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN · Oct 29, 2015

I agree it is both a girls's and boys' issue at that age!

You may also want to touch upon the importance of clean/washing clothing. At my school we wear uniforms and some of the stink I notice as the kids get older is due to the fact that they have been wearing the same uniform shirt all week. [sometimes is it a money issue, which I can help fix. But a lot of the time it is a "I thought that was okay" issue :unsure: .]

SWM2009 · Oct 29, 2015

I'd include something on stinky feet/socks/shoes as well. My 6th grader can clear the room if she doesn't change socks daily and spray her shoes with shoe spray. Her feet sweat so much.

kidzcare · Oct 29, 2015

General Health/hygiene
Hand washing - #1 way to prevent illness! Germs are everywhere; get in through nose, mouth, open skin, eyes
Don't share drinks! - might not feel sick yet, but can still spread germs!
Prevention- sleep, exercise, eat healthy foods with vitamins, drink fluids to flush out system
Sweating
Why do we sweat? It is your body's way of cooling down (like getting sprayed by hose) perfectly normal.
Why does it stink? Bacteria like to live in dark, moist places. They multiply
Why should I wash my gym uniform? Sweat stays on your clothes, bacteria will grow
What can I do about it? Don't wear dirty clothes! Shower daily. Use a deodorant or antiperspirant.
Feet Stink
Why do my feet sweat more? More sweat glands, trapped inside shoes where bacteria multiply
Why do they smell more? More sweat and more bacteria
What is athlete's foot? Not a rash! Fungus that grows on your skin. Like the bacteria, loves to grow in dark, moist places (like shoes). Looks like cracked, peeling skin between toes or on sides. May be red and itchy. Can be passed through direct contact with infection (between people or to yourself) or contact with items such as shoes, stockings, floor/shower surfaces.
What can I do about it? Keep your feet clean and dry. Wash feet with soap and water; don't just let water run over them in the shower. Wear clean/dry socks and shoes. Alternate shoes to allow them to dry out some and avoid growing too much bacteria. If you do get an infection, use an OTC cream from the pharmacy for 1-2 weeks
Teeth
Why should I care? Keeping teeth healthy is very important. Brushing/flossing regularly can prevent all kinds of mouth diseases (gingivitis, gum diseaseâ€”leading to tooth loss!)
What causes bad breath (halitosis)? Bacteria! Again! When you don't brush and floss regularly, bacteria grow on bits of food that get caught on and between your teeth. Gross!
What can I do about it? Brush and floss! For 2 minutes! Brush your tongue too. Mouthwash will only help temporarily. Go to the dentist regularly.
Hair
How often to wash? Every day or every other. Some hair produces more oil. Lots of styling products= washing more often. If you are sweating, you will need to wash (you'll be showering anyway!)
What about lice? No one wants to have lice! It's a myth that only people who don't wash will get lice. Just like us, lice prefer to live somewhere clean! They cannot fly or jump, but they run very fast! Bumping heads, sharing hats/combs, or on a chair back are all ways to spread lice. Identified by seeing one on scalp or seeing the eggs on the hair. If you end up with lice, you will be sent home and have to be treated with a special kind of shampoo and special comb.

Here are my notes from my general talk that they ask me to deliver to all PE classes at the beginning of the year.

NanaPoo · Oct 29, 2015

I'd include something on stinky feet/socks/shoes as well. My 6th grader can clear the room if she doesn't change socks daily and spray her shoes with shoe spray. Her feet sweat so much.

Excellent idea! Something went terribly wrong with my sweet little girl's feet in 5th grade. We had to attack them on all fronts...sweat wicking socks, odor eaters spray, having her wash & dry her feet as soon as she got home then scrubbing them with a pumice stone in the shower, and using a peppermint lotion in the evening. Oops, my OCD is showing again. But it has worked. I just have to stay on her about sticking to the program. :)

She has a v-ball teammate that thinks rubbing a bar of soap on her armpits is enough to combat 6th grade BO. It is not and I occasionally have school nurse/team van-mom chats about combatting body odor with the team. The (male) coach chuckles but always thanks me after.

100kids, BSN, RN · Oct 29, 2015

I teach Health so early in the year we discuss deodorant, brushing teeth, general grooming, showering everyday, changing our clothes everyday, perfume/body spray is NOT the same as soap and how each of you will develop at your own pace but it's better to start these practices BEFORE you stink. Later in the year we discuss the changes in your body and reinforce these needs

Jensmom7, BSN, RN · Oct 29, 2015

They have spent the first 12 years of their lives just smelling like kidsweat and playground dirt-once those hormones start flowing and the apocrine glands wake up, Lordy what a stink.

The problem is, you get nose blind to your own funk.

When my step daughter was 12 she had to be dragged kicking and screaming into the shower. By the time she was 13 and discovered boys, she spent so much time in the bathroom we were seriously contemplating sliding her meals under the door lol.

Bless all the school nurses who attack the issue early. You all have some good ideas.