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Personal
Hygiene: Hair
Care
Overview
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Proper hair care is important to
the person's morale and well-being. There is nothing worse than lying
in bed with hair that feels messy and greasy, knowing that he is not well
enough, or able, to get up to comb or wash it himself. Caregivers must
understand that the patient remains aware of his appearance
at all times. Hence, good hair care practices must be done
routinely to meet the person's hygiene needs.
General Hair Care Tips
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Regular
brushing and combing is necessary for the person to feel comfortable
and look neat.
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Brushing helps to keep hair clean and distributes oil
evenly along hair shafts, while combing prevents it from
becoming tangled.
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To keep brush and comb clean, wash them in hot soapy
water.
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Provide
the person with brush, comb and mirror if he can cope.
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Short-tooth combs are adequate for short hair, but
large-tooth combs are preferred for curly hair.
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Parting allows for ease in brushing smaller sections of
hair. First, parts the hair into two sections and
then separates each section into two more sections.
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If
you help the person to comb, put his hair in his usual style.
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Hair should be shampooed as soon
as, and preferably before, it becomes dirty or greasy. Ideally, it
should be washed two to
three times a week.
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Do
not
put strain on hair strands by brushing too much or too vigorously.
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To
untangle hair, use
a wide-toothed comb, starting from the ends. When
all tangled have been removed, the hair may be combed from root to end.
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Do not dry
hair fully with a hair dryer. Let hair dry naturally if
possible.
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Avoid tying or braiding the person's
hair too tightly.
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If
necessary, engage a local hairdresser in the care process.
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Washing Hair in Bed
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If the person is able to take a shower or bath, the
hair can usually be shampooed without difficulty. However,
if physically getting into the bath or shower is just not possible,
then it can be done in bed using dry shampooing or damp washing techniques.
Hair washing and bed-bath are usually performed together.
Dry shampooing: This technique is advisable if confinement
to bed is temporary. Cover the hair with the shampoo
powder and be sure to brush it out thoroughly, following the instructions
on the container.
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Now
there is a convenient shampoo cap: You simply warm it up in the microwave,
put it on your head, massage the outside — your hair is shampooed and
conditioned in one step. There are also numerous specialty products targeted
toward those with sensitive skin, which are particularly gentle, and
free of alcohol and dyes.
Damp washing:
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Close
the windows to prevent the person becoming chilled.
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Prepare all the items you need and bring them to the bedside
so that they are within reach.
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Place
a chair at the bedside near the head of the bed for putting a bucket
to collect water.
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Make
the person comfortable with his head close to the edge of the bed.
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Support
his shoulders on a plastic-protected pillow to ensure that his head is lower
than his shoulders.
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Protect
your bedding from excessive wetting.
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Use a
shampoo tray if you have one. If not, you
can improvise by rolling three sides of the
large plastic sheet to form sides against which
the water will flow down the bucket. Put the
sheet under the person's head so that his head
is surrounded by the rolls and drop the end of
the sheet into the bucket.
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Cover
the patient eyes with a towel prevent water from slipping in.
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Pour
water gently over his head until the hair is wet all over.
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Apply
shampoo and gently massage it into the scalp. Do not hurry as this
is a very pleasant sensation for the person.
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Rinse
the hair thoroughly.
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Dry
the person's forehead with the face towel and wrap it around his head to
absorb the wetness.
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Lift
his head, remove the rolled plastic.
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Remove
the pillow under his shoulders and place it under his head.
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Remove
the face towel and replace with a dry, clean bath towel.
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Use
a hair dryer if possible or rub the hair gently with a towel.
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