What happens if …
Just don’t wash anymore – what does that do with the body?
Dirt under the nails, greasy hair, smell of sweat-bad body hygiene is a social no-go. But how does the body react when we fail to wash?
It has become natural that people wash – regularly. And with soap. There were times when that was out of the question. Completely unnecessary and exaggerated behavior! The Romans were constantly in bath houses, but more to chat, because for washing. Louis XIV, he went down in history as an extravagant sun king, did not believe in the cleaning ability of water. He is said to have made it into the bathtub only twice in his life. Instead, he swore onto the overturning force of powder and perfume.
And while in the new world even hotel rooms were even equipped with bathing rooms, Europe was still considered a grubby, stinking juggernach in the 19th century. These times are over. Mostly. In the meantime, a certain body hygiene is part of social interaction, most Germans shower every day. Personal care is important. This goes so far that some really celebrate the daily washes and use an entire arsenal of different products. 15 billion euros in this country are invested annually in personal care products.
Does that really have to be?
What would happen if we just let the washing be? Would the body gradually perish in its own dirt and stench?
This effects have a lack of body hygiene
- Odor
No surprise: a person who doesn’t wash himself stinks at some point. This is mainly due to two things. On the one hand, dead skin collects on the body. This contains a protein that smells uncomfortably. There is also a sweat-bacteria combination. Welding itself does not smell, but it connects to the bacteria that occur naturally on our skin surface, develop molecules through their digestive process. Organic acids are created. Butyric acid and ants are particularly odorless. Studies have shown that the fastest under the armpits occur. Sometimes more than a million bacteria per square centimeter live there. - Rash
The skin itches, becomes red, burns and hurts – rash. This can also be a result of poor body hygiene. Rash often comes quickly and spreads just as quickly. The more dirt and bacteria on the skin also lead to the hair follicles are more sensitive and ignite faster. This increases the risk of acne. - Lump formation
Skin that is not washed greases – especially at the beginning. In combination with dead skin, lumps can lead to the formation of lumps. These become brown over time. The reason for this is the contact with dirt particles and pollutants. - Infection risk
The longer a body is unknown, the greater the risk of infection due to the increased bacterial and fungal infection. Even small abrasions and cracks can then be an entry gate for microorganisms. - itching
When the hair hangs off the head in greasy strands, it is clear that the last hair washing is a while ago. Those who do not free the hair from dead skin and dirt for a long time do not only have to count on scales. Severe itching on the head is also a result of a lack of hygiene. - Mushroom
Feet that are not washed form in the long run – thanks to dirt, bacteria and sweat – a great basis for mushrooms. Foot fungus can cause the skin to itch, burn and scaly.
Actually, the skin has self -cleaning mechanisms, starting with the acid mantle, which protects against unwanted pathogens, until the skin scalching. Every intervention with soap and Co. disturbs these natural processes. In the end, too frequent and too warm washing symptoms can cause similar symptoms to poor body hygiene: the skin can dry out, the risk of redness, itching or eczema increases.
In conversation with “Deutschlandfunk Nova”, dermatologist Yael Adler speaks not to overdo it with hygiene. She says: “If you ask the skin: skin, when do you want to be showered or bathed next time? Then it would think and say: no idea, maybe next week? Because the skin does not need this level of hygiene.”
So how much was it makes sense? There is no rule of thumb for this. That varies from person to person. People with greasy skin who sweat a lot usually have a higher washing requirement than people with dry skin.
Not too much, not too little: how does body hygiene work properly?
It is recommended to adhere to the so-called 3-K rule.
- Kühles water: bad news for warm shower, if you shower or bathe too hot, strain the skin’s acid protection mantle. A temperature of 38 degrees is better.
- KUrz showering or bathing: Extensive splashing is rather detrimental to skin health. It is recommended not to take a shower for more than three minutes and not to bathe for more than 30 minutes.
- KUse Ern soap and other personal care products in moderation. Only five parts of the body have to be treated with soap at all. These are high-sebaceous areas and those that get a lot of dirt- hands, armpits, feet, chest and back in the middle of the back. A skin -neutral care product is recommended for washing. Pure water is sufficient for the rest of the body, soap treatment is usually not necessary.
Source: Stern
I’m Caroline, a journalist and author for 24 Hours Worlds. I specialize in health-related news and stories, bringing real-world impact to readers across the globe. With my experience in journalism and writing in both print and online formats, I strive to provide reliable information that resonates with audiences from all walks of life.
