HAIR CARE

INTRODUCTION
Hair wash is a special care of the hair may be required for patients who are in bed for the
prolonged period of time. A person’s appearance and feeling of well-being usually depends on
the way the hair looks and feels. Normal hair and scalp are neither dry nor oily and show no
evidence of flaking. A well balanced diet is essential for the health of the hair. Keeping the scalp
clean by brushing and shampooing will help to relieve the dandruff.

HAIR WASH

DEFINITION
Hair washing defines that is one of general care provided to a client who cannot clean the hair by
himself/ herself.

Or

Cleaning of hair with shampoo or soap to remove dirt, oil and odour on scalp and hair, for a
helpless patient in bed is called as hair washing in hospital setting.

PURPOSE
 To keep the hair clean and healthy.
 To promote the growth of hair.
 To prevent loss of hair.
 To prevent itching and infection.
 To prevent tangles.
 To prevent accumulation of dirt, dandruff and oils.
 To stimulate circulation.
 To observe the scalp.
 To destroy pediculi.
 To provide a sense of well being.

PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT
 Check the physician’s orders to see the specific precautions if any, for the movement and
positioning of the client.
 Assess the general condition of the client, the condition of the scalp and hair and the need
for shampoo.
 Check the client’s preference for soap, shampoo, oil etc.
 Assess the client’s mental state to follow direction.
  Check the articles available in the unit.

PREPARATION OF ARTICLES
ARTICLES PURPOSE

A tray containing
- Bath towels (2) One to protect the pillow and the other one to
dry the hair.
- Face towel To protect eyes.
- Mackintosh (2) One to make a trough and the other one to
protect the pillow and bed clothes.

- Cotton balls To plug in the ears.

- Oils To apply on hair
- Shampoo or liquid soap Shampooing
- Hair comb To comb the hair.
- Kidney tray & paper bag To collect the loose hair and the cotton plug.

- Basin (1) To take water.

- Bucket (1) To collect the dirty water.
- Mug (1) To pour water.
- Jugs (2) One for hot water and the other for cold water.

- Low stool (1) To adjust the height of the bucket.

- Clean linen To change after shampoo.

PROCEDURE
CARE ACTION RATIONALE

1. Perform hand hygiene To prevents the spread of infection

2. Gather all equipments Organization facilitates accurate skill

performance

3. Check the condition of client. Explain the Proper explanation may allay his/her
purpose and the procedure to the client. anxiety and foster cooperation

4. Bring and set up all equipments to the bed-side To save the time and promote effective
care
5. 5. Help the client move his/her head towards edge To arrange appropriate position with
of the bed and remove the pillow from the head. considering your body mechanics
6. Put another pillow or a cushion under the Putting a pillow or a cushion could
 bending knee. Make him/her comfortable prevents from having some pain while the
position. hair washing process

7. Setting mackintosh and towel to the client:

1) Place a mackintosh covered a big towel under To prevent the sheet from soiling
the upwards from the client head to the shoulders of
client
2) Have a big towel around his/her neck To prevent the cloth and the body from
soling
3) Roll another mackintosh to make the shape of a To induce water drainage
funnel, by using the way to hold from both sides in
a slanting way. The narrow end should be folded
and put under the client‟s neck and the free end
should be put into the bucket to drain for the waste
water.
4) Put the folding mackintosh under the client‟s
neck.

8. Washing:

1) Brush the hair. To remove dandruff and fallen hairs, and

make the hair easier washing.
2) Insert the cotton balls into the ears To prevent water from entering into the
ears.
3) Mix hot and cold water or Wet the hair and
wash it roughly
4) Apply soap or shampoo and massage the scalp
well while washing the hair using fingernails
5) Rinse the hair and reapply shampoo for a second
washing, if indicated
6) Rinse the hair thoroughly
7) Apply conditioner if requested or if the scalp
appears dry

9. Wrapping the hair:

1)Remove the cotton balls from the ears into the
paper bag and mackintosh with the towel from the
client's neck.
2) Wrap the hairs in the big towel which are used to
cover the client's neck part
 10. Drying the hair:
1) Wipe the face and neck if needed To prevent him/her from becoming chilled
2) Dry the hair as quick as possible To increase circulation of the scalp and
3) Massage the scalp with oil as required promote sense of well-being
To raise self-esteem
4) Comb the hair and arrange the hair according to
the client’s preference
5) Make the client tidy and provide comfortable
position

11. Clean the equipments and replace them to To prepare for the next procedure
proper place. Discard dirty.

12. Perform hand hygiene To prevent the spread of infection

AFTER CARE OF THE CLIENTS AND ARTICLES

 Spread the hair over the mackintosh and towel placed on the pillow and allow it to dry.
 Position to the client in the center of the bed for comfort and proper alignment.
 Change the linen if wet.
 Offer hot drink.
 Take all articles to the utility room. Clean all articles. Disinfect the towels, mackintosh,
basin and bucket. Send the soiled linen to the laundry. Put back all articles in their proper
places.
 Wash hands.
 Record the procedure in the nurse’s record with time and date. Record the abnormalities
observed if any.
 Return to the bedside. When the hairs are dry, comb the hair and arranged the hair.
 Make the client comfortable.

PEDICULOSIS

DEFINITION
Pediculosis is defined as the state of being infected with lice. Lice or pediculi are small wingless
blood sucking insects which are parasitic on warm blooded animals.

PURPOSE
 To keep the hair clean and healthy.
 To prevent itching and infection.
 To observe the scalp.
  To destroy pediculi.
 To provide a sense of well being.

PARASITICIDES USED IN PEDICULOSIS

 D.D.T. 5% or 10% (add talcum powder to dilute it)
 Carbolic lotion 1:40 (irritant to skin)
 Equal parts of kerosene oil & coconut oil
 Preparations containing gamma benzene hexachloride available in market.

PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT
 Check the physician’s orders to see the specific precautions if any, for the movement and
positioning of the client.
 Assess the general condition of the client, the ability to follow directions.
 Assess the condition of the scalp and the hair.
 Check the articles available in the client’s unit.

PREPARATION OF ARTICLES
ARTICLES PURPOSE

A tray containing
- Bath towels (2) One to protect the pillow and the other one to
protect the shoulders.
- Face towel To protect eyes.
- Mackintosh (1) To protect the pillow and bed clothes.
- A cap To cover the head after the procedure.
- Safety pins To fix the bandage or towel in place.
- Kidney tray with disinfectant e.g. To destroy the lice and to disinfect the comb.
carbolic 1:40
- Paper bag To collect the loose hair.
- Hair comb To remove the tangles.
- Cotton swabs / gauze piece To apply the parasiticide or Vaseline.
- Vaseline To apply at the hair line to prevent irritation of
the parasiticide
- Gown, mask & cap To protect the nurse.
- Bucket with antiseptic solution e.g. To disinfect the gown and towel after the
carbolic 5% treatment.
PROCEDURE
CARE ACTION RATIONALE
1. Perform hand hygiene To prevents the spread of infection

2. Gather all equipments Organization facilitates accurate skill

performance

3. Check the condition of client. Explain the Proper explanation may allay his/her anxiety
purpose and the procedure to the client and foster cooperation

4. Bring and set up all equipments to the To save the time and promote effective care
bed-side
5. Provide privacy
6. Put on the gown. Mask & cap The gown & cap protect the nurse from the
infestation with lice. Mask will prevent
inhalation of the powder (if D.D.T is used)

7. Protect the pillow and bed with a To prevent form disinfectant with lice & towel
mackintosh and a towel. One towel is put is to protect the shoulders and garments.
on the shoulders.

8. Protect the client’s eye with face towel

9. Loosen the hair and comb out the tangles

10. Part the hair into small sections and apply Thorough application of the parasiticides
the parasiticides on the hair and scalp. ensures thorough destruction of the lice.

11. Roll up the hair to the top of the head and Covering the head with the towel prevents the
cover the head with the cap spread of the lice to other areas of the body.

12. Hair is washed in the following morning. To remove lice.

13. Make the client tidy and provide To feel comfort

comfortable position

14. Clean the equipments and replace them to To prepare for the next procedure
proper place. Discard dirty.

15. Perform hand hygiene To prevent the spread of infection

AFTER CARE OF THE CLIENTS AND ARTICLES
 Remove the mackintosh and towels from under the client’s head. Towels are put into the
antiseptic solution.
 Tidy up the bed.
 Adjust the position of the client in bed.
 Remove the gown, mask and cap and put them into the antiseptic solution.
 Take all articles into the utility room. Clean and disinfect the articles. Replace them in
their proper place.
 Wash hands.
 Record the procedure with date and time and the observations made.
 Comb the hair with toothed comb, if living lice are still found on the head repeat the
procedure with other parasiticides.
 Repeat the procedure after 1 week because the nits are both affected by the parasiticides.
 Disinfect all the articles.

SCIENTIFIC PRINCIPLES
1. ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY
 Hair is made of a tough protein called keratin. A hair follicle anchors each hair
into the skin.
 Blood vessels nourish the cells in the hair bulb, and deliver hormones that
modify hair growth and structure.
 Hair serves as a source of heat insulation and cooling as well as protection from
ultra-violet radiation exposure.

2. MICROBIOLOGY
 The nurse must wash her hands before & after procedure to prevent cross
infections.
 Hair care removes the dandruff and microorganisms.
 All equipment used for the care should be clean. Separate articles may be kept for
individual patient to prevent cross infection.

3. PHYSICS & CHEMISTRY

 Soap lowers the surface tension of water & helps it to unite quickly.
 DDT is used as insecticides or removes the pediculosis.
 Shampoo is to treat fungal infections affecting the scalp.

4. PSYCHOLOGY
 Relieve the anxiety of the patient by explaining what the procedure is, what she is
going to do.
  Provide privacy by screening.
 Nurses should do her work as skillfully as possible so that her power has been
done to give the patient comfort & relief.

NURSING RESPONSIBILITY
1. Check the physician’s orders to see the specific precautions for the client’s movements
and positioning.
2. Assess the general condition of the client and the ability to follow direction
3. Assess the condition of the scalp and the hair
4. Check the articles available in the client’s unit
CONCLUSION

Hair washing is a procedure done for maintaining the cleanliness of hair i.e. free from dandruff,
dirt, nits, lice, flakes, dryness and irritation. Cleanliness of hair is essential for good hygiene. An
unclean scalp containing dirt, dandruff, excessive sebum and sweat will allow the growth of
micro organisms and parasites on the scalp. Keeping the scalp clean by brushing and
shampooing will help to relieve the dandruff.
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Smith Evans Pamela Taylors (2005) Clinical Nursing Skills – A nursing Process Approach
(1stedi.) New York, Lippincot Williams Wilkins.    

2. Jacob Annamma & et al. (2007) Clinical Nursing Procedure the art of Nursing practice
(1st Edition) New delhi, Jaypee Brothers.

3. Lillis Carol & et al. (2001) Foundation of Nursing art & Science of Nursing Care (4th
edition) New York, P.P. Lippincott.

4. Rosdahl Bunker Caroline & Kowalski T. Many (2002) Textbook of basic Nursing (8th
edition) New York, Lippincott

5. Corea C. C (2010) Principles &Practice of nursing (2nd edition) new delhi.

6. Kaur lakhwinder (2011) fundamental of nursing(2nd edition ) new delhi.

7. Clement I (2007) Basic concepts on Nursing procedures (2nd edition) New delhi, Jaypee
Brother.

8. Nancy sr. (2013) Principles & practice of nursing (6th edition) Indore, N.R. publishing house
 JABALPUR INSTIUTE OF NURSING
SCIENCES AND RESEARCH
SUBJECT ON –NURSING EDUCATION
PRACTICE TEACHING ON
HAIR CARE

Submitted To Submitted By
Mrs. SURBHI R. KEHaRI miss PREETI SHARMA
Professor M sc (N) 1st year
Jinsar Jinsar