SKIN care and hygiene are important for longer and healthy living, Red Cross volunteers were told at a workshop in Suva yesterday.
Tamavua Hospital skin specialist Doctor Mohammed Abdul Hamid said people should be more cautious when it comes to basic personal cleanliness. Dr Hamid emphasised the importance of washing hands, taking baths and protecting the skin against the sun.

He said local people were in the habit of living in close proximity, which resulted in the easy spread of skin diseases.
Dr Hamid said many people were unaware that skin diseases were easily spread due to close association with animals as well. He said it was important for people to wash their hands after playing with their pets.

Dr Hamid said it was important to educate people about healthy living so they could make wise choices.
Hygiene, he said, was important because it provided comfort, relaxation, improved one's self image, promoted cleanliness, stipulated circulation and allowed for assessment.

"The skin is a dynamic organ that reacts to various stimuli from the outside and from the body itself. It is not only just for beauty but has very important functions. Proper skin care and hygiene is necessary for it to function well. We should take care of the skin and it will take care of us," said Dr Hamid.

The week-long workshop aims to train a group of 20 volunteers from throughout Fiji in an effort by the Red Cross to provide better service to the public.