Poor hygiene can lead to harmful conditions.

While for some illnesses, poor hygiene could be a contributing factor, in most cases it is the main reason.

Poor domestic hygiene includes : not cleaning the toilet, not getting rid of rubbish, not washing clothes and bedding frequently, and failing to store food properly.

Poor personal hygiene can also lead to illness.

This includes:

• not showering

Here are 5 illnesses caused by poor hygiene:

1. Food poisoning

This is a result of eating contaminated food. Symptoms include cramping, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

2. Scabies

This is a highly contagious skin infestation that is caused by a mite. It makes the skin very itchy and is transmitted by skin-to-skin contact. It causes a pimple-like rash.

3. Hepatitis A

This is a viral liver disease that is caused by eating contaminated food or water. It can also be caused by close contact with an infected object or person.

4. Skin infections

Boils are infections caused by a bacteria that live on the skin but when they accumulate and penetrate the skin they result in a large pimple like abscess.

Ringworms are an itchy scaly coin-sized rash caused by fungi. This is caused by contact with an infected person.

5. Pediculosis

This is an infestation of lice in the scalp or any other hairy body parts. Symptoms include itching, visible lice on the scalp and lice eggs on the hair shafts.