UPDATED 2024
CARE OF HAIR
Care of hair is part of the personal hygiene. It is another way of helping the patient feel good about him and maintain a good mental attitude. A patient’s hair should be combed daily. In addition, other care is necessary to enhance morale, stimulate circulation of the scalp and prevent tangled, matted hair
Purposes of Hair Care
- Hair care improves the morale of the patient
- It stimulates the circulation of the scalp
- Shampooing removes bacteria, microorganisms, oils, and dirt that cling to the hair
Objectives
- To maintain cleanliness of the scalp and hair
- To prevent matting of hair
- To promote comfort and to stimulate circulation of the scalp
- It gives an opportunity of observation of the scalp and hair
- It maintains a glossy and healthy appearance of hair and gives satisfaction to the patient
Scientific Principles
- Well-combed and attend hair provide comfort to the patient and make appearance more attractive
- Neglected hair and scalp contain dirt and microorganism and also produce infection of the scalp
- Unbroken skin acts as a barrier to infection
Types of Hair Care
- Daily care: the hair should be thoroughly combed and brushed daily. A woman usually needs more attention to the hair due to its length
- Hair shampoo: shampooing the hair in order to maintain its cleanliness
- Treatment of hair: pediculosis treatment – it is the treatment given with DDT 5% of carbolic lotion 1:40 applied thoroughly on the scalp and it is left for overnight, and the next day a thorough bath is given and the linen is change
MAINTAINING HAIR CARE
Care of hair means maintaining cleanliness of hair, i.e. free from dandruff, dirt, nits, lice, flakes, dryness and irritation
Purpose
- To keep hair clean and healthy
- To promote growth of hair
- To have a neat and tidy appearance
- To prevent itching, infection, dandruff, lice, flakes, dryness and irritation
- To prevent loss of hair
- To prevent accumulation of dirt
- To stimulate circulation
- To prevent tangles
- To promote comfort
- To have a sense of well-being
Three Aspects of Hair Care
- Daily care by brushing and combing
- Head bath in order to maintain to cleanliness
- Treatment of hair for lice infestation
Factors Influence on Hair
- General health of a person
- A well-balanced diet
- Light and fresh air
- Daily practices (hair wash and combing)
- Hair brushing and massage
- Endocrine disorder
Factors Affecting Hair
- Altered level of consciousness
- Physical weakness or disease condition
- Immobility and aging
- Insect bite and infestations
- Accumulated secretions
- Hormonal changes
- Physical and emotional stress
- Poor health practices
- Effects on drug
Common Hair Scalp Problems
- Dandruff – sealing of scalp accompanied by itching
- Pediculosis – lice infestation
- Alopecia – hair loss
- Tangled and matted hair
- Dryness
- Flakes
- Irritation
HAIR COMBING
The hair can be combed and washed in the morning so that the patient can feel refreshed and appear well-groomed before starting daily activities
General Instructions
- Hair needs to be brushed daily in order to be healthy
- Long air should be combed at least once a day to prevent it from matting
- Teeth of the comb should be dull to prevent scratching of the scalp
- Hair must be kept free from snarls, combed and brushed without hurting the patient
Preliminary Assessment
Check
- Doctors order for specific precautions
- General condition and self-care ability
- Condition of the scalp and hair
- Mental status to follow directions
- Articles available in the unit
Preparation of the Patient and Environment
- Explain the procedure
- Arrange the article at the bedside
- Provide privacy and adequate light
- Make the patient to sit on a bedside chair or stool
- Protect the bottom sheet and pillow case with a towel
- Protect the nurse’s uniform by wearing aprons
Equipment
- Clean comb
- Mackintosh and towel
- Coconut oil in a container
- Kidney tray and paper bag
- Kidney tray with carbolic lotion 1:20 to destroy the lice and to disinfect the comb
Procedure
- Wash hands and take required articles at bedside
- If possible as patient to sit on a stool otherwise side lying or fowler’s position
- Place the Mackintosh under the head of the patient
- Each half of the hair is treated separately without causing strain on the patient
- Separate the hair in small strands. To prevent pulling hold strands above the part being combed, so that there will be no pain to the patient
- Comb the tangle out from the ends first and then go up gradually. Use oil to remove tangles
- After combing the hair thoroughly, use ribbon to tie the hair
- Discard loose hair into the paper bag
After Care
- Place the patient comfortable and tidy
- Replace the articles to the utility room
- Wash hands thoroughly
- Record and report the procedure in nurse’s record sheet
Problems of Neglected Hair Care
Neglected hair care cause sticky and heavy and acquires a sour, unpleasant odor, which may be quite distressing the patient. Pediculosis is associated with poor hygiene, crowded living condition and exposure to other individuals.
The people with pediculosis have complaints of severe itching of the scalp and scratch the head continuously giving rise to abscess formation. The lice are blood suckers and cause anemia. They also spread disease, e.g. typhus fever, relapsing fever, trench fever.
HAIR WASH/BED SHAMPOO
The patient confined to bed will require a cleansing shampoo at least every two weeks. With the approval of the medical officer, plan the shampoo for a time when the patient feels rested and has no conflicting treatments or appointments. If the patient can be moved to a stretcher, do so and take him to a convenient sink. If this is not possible, do the shampoo in bed
Definition
Hair wash/bed shampoo is a special care of the hair may be required for patients who are in bed for a prolonged period of time
Shampooing the hair should be performed whenever the hair and scalp are dirty
Principles of Shampooing the Bed Patient’s Hair
- The supine position is preferred for weaker patients
- Patients with significant heart or lung disease will not tolerate being supine; they must be in a sitting position
- Hair care should be given regularly during illness, just as it would be normally
Purpose
- To keep hair and scalp clean and healthy
- To promotes sense of comfort and self-esteem
- To complete the treatment of pediculi
General Instructions
- The patients are given hair wash at least once a week for bedridden patients
- Avoid hair wash for patients who have just taken meals at least for an hour
- Avoid exposure and chilling by keeping the patient covered with top clothes
- If the patients are very sick, note pulse before and after the hair wash
- Do not let the patient exert and try to avoid exertion to the patient as far as possible
Preliminary Assessment
Check
- Doctors order for specific precautions
- General condition for the patient
- Self-care ability
- Patients preference for soap, shampoo, oil, etc
- Patients mental state to follow instructions
- Availabilities of ward article
Preparation of the Patient and Environment
- Explain the procedure
- Arrange the articles at the bedside
- Provide privacy
- Position the patient (flat) comfortably to the edge of the bed (if condition permits)
- Remove the extra pillows and back rest
- Make an improvised through (Kelly’s pad) and place it under the hand to facilitate the drainage of water in to receptacle
- Place the bucket on the low stool close to the side of the bed. The distal end of the Mackintosh (trough) is received in to it
- Plug the ear with cotton balls
Equipment
- A tray contains bath towels – 2
- Face towel – 1
- Long Mackintosh – 1
- Cotton swabs – 2
- Liquid soap or shampoo
- Hair comb
- Kidney tray
- Paper bag and news paper
- Bucket – 1
- Mug – 1
- Jugs – 2 (hot and cold water)
- Safety pins
Procedure
Following is the procedure for administering a shampoo to a patient in bed
- Place a newspaper on the chair and the bucket on the newspaper. Place the patient of water, shampoo, comb, brush, and one of the two bath towels on the bedside cabinet
- Move the patient to the near side of the bed. Lower the bed to a level position
- Pull the pillow down under the patient’s shoulders to assisting extending the neck. Fold one bath towel around the neck
- Place the narrow side of the rubber sheet under his head and over the edge of the pillow. Roll the sides of the sheet to improvise a trough, and place the free end in the bucket
- Give the patient a washcloth for his eyes and face
- Check provisions for water drainage before pouring any water
- Wet his hair and apply shampoo. Lather and rinse it
- Reapply shampoo and rinse the hair again repeatedly until his hair is “squeaky clean”. (a woman will require more rinse water than a man, but otherwise the procedure is unchanged)
- Slip a dry towel under the patient’s bed. Then roll and remove the rubber sheet. Pull the pillow up into its normal place
- Dry the hair by gently rubbing it with a clean towel
- Remove the equipment and wipe up any water spilled on the floor
- Assist the patient to comb and brush his hair with a clean comb and brush
After Care
- Place the patient in comfortable position
- Dry the hair, comb and arrange hair when completely dry
- Change linen if wet
- Replace the articles into utility room
- Wash hands thoroughly
- Record and reporting the procedure in nurses record street
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TIPS TO MAINTAIN HEALTHY AND BEAUTIFUL HAIR
Here are some general hair care tips to help maintain healthy and beautiful hair:
- Regular Washing:
- Wash your hair regularly to keep it clean and free from excess oil and product buildup. The frequency may vary depending on your hair type.
- Use a Mild Shampoo and Conditioner:
- Choose a shampoo and conditioner that suits your hair type and is free from harsh chemicals. Avoid excessive use of styling products with strong chemicals.
- Avoid Hot Water:
- Wash your hair with lukewarm or cool water. Hot water can strip the hair of natural oils, leading to dryness and damage.
- Proper Conditioning:
- Use a good-quality conditioner to keep your hair moisturized and manageable. Focus on the tips and mid-lengths of your hair while applying conditioner.
- Protect Your Hair from Heat:
- Limit the use of heat-styling tools such as flat irons, curling irons, and blow dryers. When using them, apply a heat protectant spray to minimize damage.
- Regular Trims:
- Schedule regular haircuts to prevent split ends and keep your hair looking healthy. Trimming every 6-8 weeks is a good rule of thumb.
- Gentle Towel Drying:
- Pat your hair dry with a soft towel instead of rubbing vigorously, which can cause breakage. Avoid using a towel on wet hair, as it is more prone to damage.
- Protect Your Hair from the Sun:
- UV rays can damage your hair. If spending extended periods in the sun, consider wearing a hat or using hair products with UV protection.
- Balanced Diet:
- A nutritious diet rich in vitamins and minerals contributes to healthy hair. Include foods high in protein, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids.
- Avoid Tight Hairstyles:
- Avoid hairstyles that pull on the hair, such as tight ponytails or braids, as they can cause breakage and damage the hair shaft.
- Use a Wide-Toothed Comb:
- Detangle your hair gently using a wide-toothed comb, especially when it’s wet to prevent breakage.
- Hydrate:
- Stay hydrated as it also contributes to the health of your hair. Dehydration can make your hair dry and brittle.
- Limit Chemical Treatments:
- Minimize the use of chemical treatments like coloring, perming, or straightening, as they can weaken the hair structure.
- Choose Silk Pillowcases:
- Silk pillowcases can reduce friction, helping to prevent tangles and breakage.
- Manage Stress:
- High stress levels can contribute to hair problems. Practice stress management techniques like meditation or yoga.
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