CARE OF HAIR AND COMBING – Nurse Info CARE OF HAIR

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.