Medical professionals across various specialties are making an urgent plea for patients to remember and practice fundamental personal hygiene. These caregivers often encounter intimate details about patient upkeep, and they are speaking out about the practices they wish everyone would adopt before appointments or procedures.

Critical Hygiene Requests from Medical Staff

Concerns Regarding Surgical Preparation

For those undergoing abdominal surgery, cleaning the belly button is a frequently cited necessity. A surgery nurse with 25 years of experience noted that digging out a solid, smelly debris 'bean' from a neglected navel is one of the most gag-inducing experiences.

A robotic abdominal surgeon echoed this, explaining that cleaning years of accumulated dirt, lint, and debris from the 'innie' belly button is often required just to properly sterilize the abdomen before starting the operation.

Importance of Skin Fold and Breast Area Cleaning

Healthcare workers emphasized the need for meticulous cleaning in skin folds, particularly for individuals with larger breasts. One professional stated that the findings underneath these areas are often 'absolutely disgusting' and accompanied by strong odors.

Similarly, an outpatient wound care nurse stressed that larger individuals must diligently clean between and under all skin folds to prevent issues.

Oral Health and Pre-Appointment Courtesy

Dental professionals highlighted the value of regular check-ups, noting that six-month cleanings allow hygienists to remove tartar missed by daily brushing and flossing. They added that consistent oral care can prevent costly, long-term periodontal problems.

A family doctor suggested that patients show similar courtesy before gynecological appointments as they do before seeing a dentist, implying basic cleanliness is expected.

Foot Care: A Matter of Limb Preservation

Multiple EMTs and healthcare workers stressed the critical nature of foot care, especially for individuals with diabetes or neuropathy. Neglected wounds or infections in the feet can rapidly progress to bone infections, often resulting in amputation.

One professional passionately urged people to look at their feet daily, noting that neglected issues can lead to losing limbs, increased mortality risk, and severe complications like erectile dysfunction, strokes, or kidney disease.

Genital Hygiene Specifics

For uncircumcised men, retracting the foreskin to wash thoroughly is essential. Failure to do so can lead to recurrent infections for female partners, as well as urinary tract infections (UTIs) in men.

Another staff member described the unpleasant experience of dealing with 'dick cheese' when attempting to catheterize uncleaned male patients, emphasizing the need for hygiene prior to procedures.

General Patient Conduct and Consideration

Manners and Post-Operative Care

One recurring complaint involved patients forgetting basic manners when ill, such as covering their mouths when coughing, even during the pandemic despite staff wearing PPE.

Patients were also reminded to follow post-operative instructions strictly, rather than relying on 'doctor Google,' especially regarding keeping surgical wounds clean and covered.

Empathy for Limitations, Plea for Basic Efforts

While acknowledging that hygiene can be difficult due to mental health struggles, housing issues, or physical limitations, one professional made a heartfelt request. If possible, patients should at least swipe on deodorant or use mouthwash before an appointment.

A clinical child psychologist noted that poor hygiene in a small office setting can intensify smells, making the environment unpleasant for subsequent patients, urging visitors to shower, clean their undercarriage, and wear relatively clean clothing.