Bathing

[Lote-Tree]

On the way to work I was listening to BBC Radio 4 (best radio station in the world ;-) :D) and they were debating about bathing. It appears that we bathe too much and as result there has been a epidemic of skin allergies.

I don't know about you but I like bathing. I bathe daily. I love the feel of water on my skin because I am water-philic ;-)

But what about you?

Do you bathe?

Do you think bathing has caused this epidemic of skin allergies?

1. Yes. I bathe twice daily - morning and evening.
2. Yes. Daily.
3. Yes. Twice a week.
4. Yes. Once a week.
5. Yes. Once very two weeks.
6. Yes. Once a month.
7. Yes. Once a year.
8. No. Never. I am a renaissance man/woman.
9. No. Never. I am water-phobic!

[Pensive]

Once every two weeks in winter. The record has been of a month and a half too I think. In summer, it's too hot here that you can't live without it. So nearly about everyday during this hot weather or at least once in a week.

I love water too but you know how mighty and influential our dear laziness is. I guess I am the only lazy one here... (is there anybody else too?)

[ClaesGefvenberg]

It appears that we bathe too much and as result there has been a epidemic of skin allergies.There is no denying that. It is not good for the skin to soak it too often. Yet I do, every day. I have my reasons, though: My joints are not exactly in good shape, and they probably never will be, due to arthritis and general disagreement with our climate. Warm water has a very soothing effect.


I guess I am the only lazy one here... (is there anybody else too?)You have got to be joking... I, for one, qualify with the greatest of ease. :lol:

/Claes

[Dori]

Daily during the week (Mon.-Fri.) and not so often during the weekend. I'm a very athletic person
(right now I'm on a track team; two hours of practice each day), so unless I wanted to walk around smelling horrible, it is necessary for me to shower almost daily. ;)

[Virgil]

I don't understand where this is coming from that it's not healthy to bath frequently. Where's the scientific evidence that it's not healthy? All I can tell you is that life expectancy has gone up with society frequently bathing. Sanitary conditions has led to better health and regular bathing is one of the reasons. Yes, I understand that one might actually be killing good germs along with bad germs. It's probably hard to find a perfect balance, but on balance more bathing I think is a good thing. Just go to any hospital (at least in the US) and you will find hand sanitizers to kill germs all over. Bathing does that across your body.

I bath roughly daily. I may skip a day on a weekend depending on what i've got going on or the lack of getting dirty. By the way I take showers, not a bath, mostly because it's quicker and easier.

[SleepyWitch]

I take a shower every day on average (sometimes I only do it every other day, and sometimes I shower twice a day in summer when it's really hot) and take a bath about once a week.

[Lote-Tree]

Yes, I understand that one might actually be killing good germs along with bad germs.


Yes. That is the problem. And skin drying up too much etc.

And the data comes from number of people with skin allergies. It has gone up by epidemic proportions compared to 1920s etc...

It looks like we have developed aversion to smelling humans as they are. Human's natural smell has become abohrent to us that is why the deoodrant companies are making billions out of us in making us smell like lemons, mangos and guavas :D

[Virgil]

Yes. That is the problem. And skin drying up too much etc.

And the data comes from number of people with skin allergies. It has gone up by epidemic proportions compared to 1920s etc...

It looks like we have developed aversion to smelling humans as they are. Human's natural smell has become abohrent to us that is why the deoodrant companies are making billions out of us in making us smell like lemons, mangos and guavas :D

We're also using various materials such as latex that were not used in the past. How do we ascribe it to dry skin rather than new products? And if we do suffer from dry skin, I would think that's a better trade than allowing germs all over us. Shouldn't we just use more lotions to compensate for dry skin? I've never heard of anyone dying from being too clean.

[TheFifthElement]

I don't understand where this is coming from that it's not healthy to bath frequently. Where's the scientific evidence that it's not healthy? All I can tell you is that life expectancy has gone up with society frequently bathing. Sanitary conditions has led to better health and regular bathing is one of the reasons. Yes, I understand that one might actually be killing good germs along with bad germs. It's probably hard to find a perfect balance, but on balance more bathing I think is a good thing. Just go to any hospital (at least in the US) and you will find hand sanitizers to kill germs all over. Bathing does that across your body.

I don't think Lote was saying it was not healthy but rather that excessive bathing can be damaging to the skin. My high school chemistry is a bit wooly but as I understand it there are two issues, one resulting from the use of soap, the other dependent upon the temperature of the water you bathe in. Soap works as a surfectant which, in laymans terms, makes grease combine with water, therefore when you use soap or other detergents in the bath/shower it effectively lifts the grease from your skin, combines it with the water and in the process lifts the dirt with it. However, your skin contains, and in fact needs a certain amount of grease (or natural oil, if you prefer) and therefore constantly removing it can be damaging to the skin, both because it can dry it out or because it over-stimulates grease production in the body and makes the skin greasier. Information about how detergents work here : http://chemistry.about.com/od/howthingswork/f/detergentfaq.htm

With regard to the temperature of the water, water that is too hot can also remove natural oils from the skin resulting in damage/dryness. It is also believed that long term effects can be a loss in elasticity, which is why the Romans and the Turks (I believe) incorporate a cold bath into their bathing techniques. Information about the affect of hot water here : http://www.newsweek.com/id/72663

Soap does not kill bacteria unless it is an antibacterial soap.


I've never heard of anyone dying from being too clean.
my brother contracted Hep A because he was too clean (medical diagnosis, not mine) and the immune system learns to deal with bugs and other bacteria by being exposed to bacteria. Overuse of antibacterial agents is resulting in deficits in people's immune system which, ultimately, will damage people's ability to fight infections - especially those 'super bugs' which our current antibiotics and antibacterial agents are unable to fight. Ultimately being too clean could well be damaging to people's health. It's a matter of balance.

There's an interesting article here :http://health.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=266081

[Lote-Tree]

I don't think Lote was saying it was not healthy but rather that excessive bathing can be damaging to the skin. My high school chemistry is a bit wooly but as I understand it there are two issues, one resulting from the use of soap, the other dependent upon the temperature of the water you bathe in. Soap works as a surfectant which, in laymans terms, makes grease combine with water, therefore when you use soap or other detergents in the bath/shower it effectively lifts the grease from your skin, combines it with the water and in the process lifts the dirt with it. However, your skin contains, and in fact needs a certain amount of grease (or natural oil, if you prefer) and therefore constantly removing it can be damaging to the skin, both because it can dry it out or because it over-stimulates grease production in the body and makes the skin greasier. Information about how detergents work here : http://chemistry.about.com/od/howthingswork/f/detergentfaq.htm

With regard to the temperature of the water, water that is too hot can also remove natural oils from the skin resulting in damage/dryness. It is also believed that long term effects can be a loss in elasticity, which is why the Romans and the Turks (I believe) incorporate a cold bath into their bathing techniques. Information about the affect of hot water here : http://www.newsweek.com/id/72663

Soap does not kill bacteria unless it is an antibacterial soap.

My sweet lord Supreme Being - when did you become an expert on these things ;-)

It's the excessive washing that is causing the problem.

But what do you think about we humans don't like to smell other humans.

We prefer them smelling like mangoes and apricots?

[TheFifthElement]

My sweet lord Supreme Being - when did you become an expert on these things ;-)

Actually we learned it in high school chemistry!


But what do you think about we humans don't like to smell other humans.
We prefer them smelling like mangoes and apricots?

See, this is all about women. Women want to eat the food but can't eat the food (because we'll all get enormously fat) so instead we want to smell like food. It's a compromise, but a poor one ;)

[Lote-Tree]

Actually we learned it in high school chemistry!


It must have been a good school.

In my school we learnt the art of survival as making to the class in one piece ;-)




See, this is all about women. Women want to eat the food but can't eat the food (because we'll all get enormously fat) so instead we want to smell like food. It's a compromise, but a poor one ;)


But fruits makes no one fat Supreme Being?

[TheFifthElement]

But fruits makes no one fat Supreme Being?

Depends how much you eat ;)

[Virgil]

I don't think Lote was saying it was not healthy but rather that excessive bathing can be damaging to the skin.
Oh I wasn't accusing Lote. Sorry if that's what it seems. I was responding to a general criticism of bathing that seems to becoming popular in some quarters.


My high school chemistry is a bit wooly but as I understand it there are two issues, one resulting from the use of soap, the other dependent upon the temperature of the water you bathe in. Soap works as a surfectant which, in laymans terms, makes grease combine with water, therefore when you use soap or other detergents in the bath/shower it effectively lifts the grease from your skin, combines it with the water and in the process lifts the dirt with it. However, your skin contains, and in fact needs a certain amount of grease (or natural oil, if you prefer) and therefore constantly removing it can be damaging to the skin, both because it can dry it out or because it over-stimulates grease production in the body and makes the skin greasier. Information about how detergents work here : http://chemistry.about.com/od/howthingswork/f/detergentfaq.htm

With regard to the temperature of the water, water that is too hot can also remove natural oils from the skin resulting in damage/dryness. It is also believed that long term effects can be a loss in elasticity, which is why the Romans and the Turks (I believe) incorporate a cold bath into their bathing techniques. Information about the affect of hot water here : http://www.newsweek.com/id/72663

Soap does not kill bacteria unless it is an antibacterial soap.
Good explanation Fifth. Thanks. I do understand all that. I did say there is needs to be a balance. It's not clear to me where that balance exists. Is a daily shower too much? I can tell you lots of people take a daily shower that I know and no one I know has had an issue that i know of. I've been taking a daily shower most of my life and i've never had an issue. People in the medical profession have to sanitize their hands regularly, perhaps dozens of times per day. Do they have issues?


my brother contracted Hep A because he was too clean (medical diagnosis, not mine) and the immune system learns to deal with bugs and other bacteria by being exposed to bacteria. Overuse of antibacterial agents is resulting in deficits in people's immune system which, ultimately, will damage people's ability to fight infections - especially those 'super bugs' which our current antibiotics and antibacterial agents are unable to fight. Ultimately being too clean could well be damaging to people's health. It's a matter of balance.
Interesting. How clean was your brother? And how come you didn't get it? Define too clean. Is a shower a day too much?



There's an interesting article here :http://health.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=266081
Yes, that was interesting. But does taking a shower per day prevent one from picking up germs and getting immune to them? Frankly given all the plagues around the world and through the middle ages, i would lean on the balance of more cleanliness than less.

[LadyW]

I love bathing, I do it every single day without fail :D Otherwise I just don't feel fresh and clean...
Wow I sound like I'm on one of those shower gel adverts :lol:

[SleepyWitch]

hmhurumpf, I suppose I could be persuaded to shower less in order to save water etc. but if I couldn't wash my smelly bits (e.g..... armpits, feet...) everyday I'd go crazy.
Lote, I won't go into the details of not liking the smell of other humans because whatever I could say would turn out gross :blush:

well.. when I was on that 4 weeks field trip in Mongolia, we couldn't bathe for 4 days in a row sometimes and nobody stank.. that is everyone stank so you don't notice it at all. but then we didn't stick our noses into each others' ...armpits, so that's different.
(we bathed in rivers, by the way, in case anyone was wondering. nope, there is no hotel and no shower in the Mongolian steppe).

[TheFifthElement]

I did say there is needs to be a balance. It's not clear to me where that balance exists. Is a daily shower too much? I can tell you lots of people take a daily shower that I know and no one I know has had an issue that i know of. I've been taking a daily shower most of my life and i've never had an issue. People in the medical profession have to sanitize their hands regularly, perhaps dozens of times per day. Do they have issues?

I think the short answer to that one Virgil is...I don't know!!! I wouldn't have thought a daily shower would be a problem, I'd imagine soaking in the bath every day would probably have a cumulative effect over time, but I'm guessing. It'd be interesting to know if the medical profession have a problem with the constant handwashing - I know after my son was born because I washed my hands fastidiously multiple times a day I ended up having to take off my wedding ring because it was causing an irritation (and it never went back on, hehehe!). Perhaps the hand sanitizer they use in hospitals is designed specifically so it doesn't lift grease but instead just kills the germs? I tried to dig around a bit, but all I found was this which does seem to indicate that hospital handwash does cause a problem (at least in UK) http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/1951512.stm

there was also this extract from an NHS advice sheet :


Apply an emollient hand cream regularly to protect skin from the drying effects of regular hand decontamination. If a particular soap, antimicrobial handwash or alcohol product causes skin irritation, seek occupational health advice.



How clean was your brother? And how come you didn't get it? Define too clean.

I didn't get it because I wasn't born! This happened when my parents were living in Australia with my older brother and sister. My brother was pretty fastidious, played 'clean' games, whereas my sister liked to play in the dirt, and eat food which had been on the floor (or in other peoples' or dogs' mouths - I jest not!). There was an outbreak of Hep A which my brother contracted but my sister did not, and when my Mum asked the doctor why this was, his view was that my sister had a stronger immune system because she was exposed to more contaminants and therefore her immune system had been better tested. I think this is quite important in children in establishing their immune system early on. I wonder, often, if the current trend towards using an increasing amount of antibacterial products in the home will ultimately have the reverse effect in causing more infections in children rather than less?


But does taking a shower per day prevent one from picking up germs and getting immune to them? Frankly given all the plagues around the world and through the middle ages, i would lean on the balance of more cleanliness than less.

Oh, I wouldn't have thought a shower would prevent you from picking up germs, unless you're using an antibacterial shower gel in which case, probably! I think I've probably confused two issues here, being the possible affect of washing on the skin (which was Lote's point), and the 'sanitization' of the home environment, and it's affect on overall health. On the whole, washing alone isn't going to have a damaging affect on your overall health (the only exception here being, perhaps, being over fastidious in relation to children) however it can damage the skin because, unless you wash with water alone (in which case you might not get 'clean') the products, whether it is soap or shower gel, are potentially damaging to skin. Again, it probably depends what you wash with, and how sensitive your skin is, as to whether any damage would result.


well.. when I was on that 4 weeks field trip in Mongolia, we couldn't bathe for 4 days in a row sometimes and nobody stank.. that is everyone stank so you don't notice it at all. but then we didn't stick our noses into each others' ...armpits, so that's different.
(we bathed in rivers, by the way, in case anyone was wondering. nope, there is no hotel and no shower in the Mongolian steppe).

hehehe, interesting point Sleepy. I've been camping and either nobody smells that bad or we all smell that bad! How was Mongolia? Sounds like an interesting trip.

[SleepyWitch]

hehehe, interesting point Sleepy. I've been camping and either nobody smells that bad or we all smell that bad! How was Mongolia? Sounds like an interesting trip.

we went in 2005... I should really post some pics! I didn't take any nice ones because I only had an old camera but my colleagues took loooooaaaads.
Mongolia is great. there's nothing much to see outside Ulaanbaatar and Charakorum (sp?), but that's what makes it so relaxing... there is just endless space, space, space, some grass, a handful of sheep, camels, salty lakes, dunes... and lots of blu e sky! you should really change your mind about travelling and go there some day! :)
edit: the Mongolians are really cool, too. They are very hospitable, and really laid-back about every day things. they can be really childish and funny, too, but the do have their pride and honour when it comes to it.

[Pensive]

Oh and I just remember something. When I was in a relatively very moist place (Karachi) compared to which my homeplace is very dry, I just had to take a bath everyday. Sometimes even twice a day because it felt all smelly and bad without it....it was just like how it happens when it rains over where I live (and we get really few days of rain here)....but here as I mentioned before it happens that I don't sometimes take a bath even for once in a whole week in winter (when there are rainy days once in a blue-moon) and nothing happens. I haven't heard any friend or someone complaining about it....Does it have anything to do with the weather? What do you guys think? I personally feel it's all about weather!

[manolia]

Good explanation Fifth. Thanks. I do understand all that. I did say there is needs to be a balance. It's not clear to me where that balance exists. Is a daily shower too much? I can tell you lots of people take a daily shower that I know and no one I know has had an issue that i know of. I've been taking a daily shower most of my life and i've never had an issue. People in the medical profession have to sanitize their hands regularly, perhaps dozens of times per day. Do they have issues?


My mom is in a medical profession. They surely wash their hands a lot. But most of the time they use a blue stuff (it is everywhere in the hospital) which kills germs and you don't have to wash it off...I'll ask her.

But fifth is right. My brother washes his hands a lot..i do too (this is how you end up having been brought up by a medical mom :lol: )..most of the times his hands are so dry that they bleed ;)

[papayahed]

I've always been suspicious of all the anti-bacterial soap/hand sanitizers that have been flooding the market lately. I think it's ploy by pharmecutical companies. Lower our resistance to germs then sell us the antibodies to fight the germs we were once immune too.

[SleepyWitch]

But fifth is right. My brother washes his hands a lot..i do too (this is how you end up having been brought up by a medical mom :lol: )..most of the times his hands are so dry that they bleed ;)

my hands always chap very badly and bleed a lot in winter. my mum thinks it's because I'm a veggie, but I even had it as a kid when I ate lots of meat. maybe I wash my hands too often? but then I'd have it in summer too?

[Shalot]

I shower every dayat least once. Rarely, on the weekends, I may skip a shower on Saturday, or something. But if I workout, i might actually take two showers. I take baths maybe once a week to soak in Epsom salts but a really prefer showers with the detachable head to get all the conditioner out of my hair so that it doesn't look all greasy. I don't use Antibacterial soap in the shower anymore, because I read somewhere that it's bad to do that all the time.

As far as handwashing goes, you're supposed to use warm water and lather and rub your hands for at least 20 seconds (I think) to get the germs off. The soap doesn't necessarily need to be anti-bacterial. I used to work for a hospital and we were all required to do a handwashing learning module (even though I was not involved in direct patient care) and direct care givers had to wash their hands after every patient contact. And if there was an instance where the hands became visibly soiled (I guess you can all guess what that means), then they had to wash and scrub their hands with soap and water and finish up with a hand sanitizer.

And, at work, when I sneeze I always use my hand sanitizer. At my old job (the one I hated) there was a lady who did NOT wash her hands after using the pot. I saw her on several occasions emerge from the stall, bypass the sink and walk out of the room, touching her nasty pee hands on the door knob. :sick:

[kilted exile]

In general I shower rather than take a bath (uses a fraction of the water & energy for heating). I only take a bath if I have been overlifting and caused my shoulder to pop out (something that happens all too frequently)

[stephofthenight]

wow, i take one when i get up, when i get home from school/work, and one before bed.

[Niamh]

I shower practically everyday...sometimes twice a day, but thats when i'm doin a late to early shift in work. Cant have the shower going at 4am and waking the house now can i!:p but sometimes when i decide to have a PJ and Duvet day, i dont.

[Dori]

And, at work, when I sneeze I always use my hand sanitizer. At my old job (the one I hated) there was a lady who did NOT wash her hands after using the pot. I saw her on several occasions emerge from the stall, bypass the sink and walk out of the room, touching her nasty pee hands on the door knob. :sick:

Hand sanitizer for sneezing? I just let my germs disperse into the air (why should I put all those germs all over my hands?). :lol: If I manage to sneeze into my hands, a simple brush on the pant leg would do the trick. :p Also, I think it's forgivable for a man to wash his hands only half the time when going to the bathroom. ;)


wow, i take one when i get up, when i get home from school/work, and one before bed.

:eek:

[SleepyWitch]

Also, I think it's forgivable for a man to wash his hands only half the time when going to the bathroom. ;)

why should that be more forgivable for a man than for a woman? because he only uses toilet paper half the time, too, so.... *ironic* I'll spare you the details ....grrrrrr


And, at work, when I sneeze I always use my hand sanitizer. At my old job (the one I hated) there was a lady who did NOT wash her hands after using the pot. I saw her on several occasions emerge from the stall, bypass the sink and walk out of the room, touching her nasty pee hands on the door knob.
I knew a girl at school who'd smoke (which makes your hands stinky anyway), then go to the loo, then rush out past the sinks and dash to welcome her boyfriend (by patting him all over the face :sick: )

[Chava]

Developping a natural resistance has been covered, so there goes my main point.
One of my friends developed a disorder some years ago which forced her to clean her hands after touching anything.... she opened doors with elbows if she'd eaten chips, just to avoid spreading germs. The point was that she completely destroyed her hands. They look awful today.

I grew up in Indonesia under conditions that can hardly be considered sanitary, and i'm immune to pretty much anything! I never have upset stomachs, and i have no allergies. I shower mostly regularily :) at least every two days, but again it depends on level of activity.

[stephofthenight]

what your failing to note, it how conveint hand sanatiser has gotten. i have some that clips to my keys and you push a button and it sprays, therforth there is no reason to get your hands wet, you walk out handle the germy door, then when you get outside spray hand sanatizer like crzy. see washing your hands then handling the door defeats the purpose, but the handsanatizer gets both germs, in a quick conveint way :D

[Chava]

I don't get the hand sanitizer thing. What could you possibly be doing that requires you sanitize your hands all the time? i get it if you're going out into some deserted are with no water or soap, but really.... I can't imagine exposure to chemicals like that all the time, and the killing of all your natural bacteria can be good for your skin.

[SleepyWitch]

wow, this whole hand sanitizer thing sound a tiny bit exaggerated to me..
I don't know anyone over here who uses this stuff, except doctors, nurses, and my best friend, who works at a nursing home. I've never heard of anyone getting ill because they didn't use it.
we do have one at the Red Cross Youth, but that's because we share the loo with the paramedics.

I read in Newsweek that even tramps (hobos) in the New York subway lug around sanitizers to spray the seats before they sit down!!! :eek: this is insane... I mean, tramps are tramps because they are filthy, right?

[stephofthenight]

lol, im a major jermaphobe.... just thinking of the creepy jermy things makes me want to run and grab the sanatizer...but you have to remeber i still go to a public school, germs are bad, and i have a weak immune system, so sanatizer is a must. i can look at somone who sneezes and ill have the flu...

[Chava]

lol, im a major jermaphobe.... just thinking of the creepy jermy things makes me want to run and grab the sanatizer...but you have to remeber i still go to a public school, germs are bad, and i have a weak immune system, so sanatizer is a must. i can look at somone who sneezes and ill have the flu...

Aha! and thus we return to the point of this thread, is your immune system weak because you have not been exposed to enough germs or...?
Why should germs be any worse in a public school?

[SleepyWitch]

Aha! and thus we return to the point of this thread, is your immune system weak because you have not been exposed to enough germs or...?
Why should germs be any worse in a public school?

I can imagine what steph means... at least over here we have some public schools where you can look for a bar of soap with a magnifying glass and the loos are really yucky. but then, you could still bring your own soap, it doesn't need to be sanitizer...

Chava, I guess us Europeans are stinky cavemen/women :)

[stephofthenight]

becasue you get a 500$ truency fine for missing 3 days of school, so when kids are sick they go to school anyway... or thats how my school is, and no ive always been frail and sickly. but i can see how some germs could be okay to build immunity, my point was mostly the bathroom thing, i mean i get weird looks for not using the sink, but i carry sanatizer around and use that. so its always possible others do the same. AND go hobos! lol when i went to austin i carried over 100 little bottles with me and just randomly gave them out to the homeless, they need protection from germs to! i mean they have to eat and all and it spreds desies if they cant clean there hands at least, and its pretty cheap its like 3 for a doller here.

[stephofthenight]

also, our school doenst belive in soap, tere are too many possiblitys of allergies to the brands... so its just water, and towels. ick!

well if you just bring soap, then like at lunch right before i eat after handling my money and stuff i couldnt just spray, i would have to go to the bathroom wash my hands, handle the nasty door,,,

[SleepyWitch]

becasue you get a 500$ truency fine for missing 3 days of school, so when kids are sick they go to school anyway...

what about sick notes? your school sounds weird :confused:

[stephofthenight]

too many parents lie for there kids, and there easy to forge, plus in texas the state gives schools money if there attendance is 98.6% trust me, that number is preached on....

[Chava]

That's just bizarre... why would the parents not want their kids to go to school? why is funding based on attendance rate? What!?! thank goodness for the Danish system....

[Virgil]

I don't get the hand sanitizer thing. What could you possibly be doing that requires you sanitize your hands all the time?

Shaking hands, picking up objects handled by people, touching doorknobs. Flu viruses live for several hours on surfaces. I keep a bottle of hand sanitizer on my desk at work. I'm not sure if it has anything to do with it, but I haven't gotten the flu in the couple of years I started using it.

[Oniw17]

I only bathe if I have a headache, but I shower daily. I can't go to sleep sweaty

[papayahed]

blech, I despise that hand sanitzer stuff, I use it occasionally when I'm traveling or when the use of a "port-o-john" is required. I think it's over kill to use it more often. There is good good bacteria on our skin and it's there for a reason.

[TheFifthElement]

blech, I despise that hand sanitzer stuff, I use it occasionally when I'm traveling or when the use of a "port-o-john" is required. I think it's over kill to use it more often. There is good good bacteria on our skin and it's there for a reason.

Yes I agree, there seems to be a very big move towards more and more use of antibacterial/antiviral agents in the domestic environment, but what will we all do when the bugs have evolved and our current 'anti' products don't kill them anymore.

[sprinks]

Well after the germs and bugs have adapted and are immune to the antibacterial products then people will just go use MORE chemicals to find new ways to kill them.... of course :idea:
and then once they become immune to THOSE chemicals, they'll just go experiment with even MORE chemicals....:rolleyes:

[Virgil]

Well after the germs and bugs have adapted and are immune to the antibacterial products then people will just go use MORE chemicals to find new ways to kill them.... of course :idea:
and then once they become immune to THOSE chemicals, they'll just go experiment with even MORE chemicals....:rolleyes:

I agree. I don't understand the fears. Personally I think we should all stop reading newspapers and listening to news. Their whole motivation in life is to project fears and a possible apocalyspe. I've grown to hate the news media. Whenever they put out a story that I'm knowledgble on, either a local news event in my neighborhood or a technical issue that I've worked on or know more than the typical person, I find innaccuracies in every story. Every single one. Journalist are not knowledgable. They just write. Sorry if I've offended any journalist.

[Chava]

Well it may be a problem. A lot of anti-biotica has lost it's effect due to ecessive use. They have yet to find some good alternatives, so yeah. I can understand the fears.

[papayahed]

I don't consider it a fear, I just think all this anti bacterial stuff is unnecessary.

[Lote-Tree]

We have once person who bathes once a month!!!

That must be ladyW! ;-)


But it seems we are daily bathers here!

Bueno!

My conscious is clear :D

I try to use minimum amount of water...

Anyone volunteering to say they bathe once a Year ? or do I dare say Never!? :D

[TheFifthElement]

Well after the germs and bugs have adapted and are immune to the antibacterial products then people will just go use MORE chemicals to find new ways to kill them.... of course :idea:
and then once they become immune to THOSE chemicals, they'll just go experiment with even MORE chemicals....:rolleyes:

If only it were that simple! Antibiotics have only been in widespread use since the second world war and already there is a growth in the strains of bacteria becoming resistent. Resistence is, ultimately, inevitable but the speed at which bacteria are evolving into resistent strains is increasing due to inappropriate use of antibiotics both in terms of their overuse and inproper use (i.e. not finishing the course) in humans, as well as their use in livestock. Information here, if you're interested : http://www.fda.gov/Fdac/features/795_antibio.html

On the other side, development of new antibiotics is slow to non-existent so whilst we're speeding along the development of strains of bacteria resistent to our current antibiotics the development of something to take their place isn't anywhere near as quick. Information about this here : http://www.americanscientist.org/template/AssetDetail/assetid/17238


I agree. I don't understand the fears. Personally I think we should all stop reading newspapers and listening to news. Their whole motivation in life is to project fears and a possible apocalyspe. I've grown to hate the news media.

Virgil, I couldn't agree with you more regarding the media (I don't read newspapers anymore) but the potential problem with regard to overuse of antibiotics has been a well appreciated issue within the medical profession for years - see the articles above (one of which is from the FDA). I'm not sure how hand sanitizers fit into the equation as I'm not sure if they use antibiotic agents or exactly how they work, but what I don't quite understand is why people feel the need to use them. I'd be pretty gutted if someone sanitized their hands after shaking mine ;)

Oh, I was mooching around trying to look into my brother's Hep A infection a bit more and found this : http://www.lpch.org/newsEvents/NewsReleases/cleanlinessHepatitisAsthma.html

[Virgil]

Well it may be a problem. A lot of anti-biotica has lost it's effect due to ecessive use. They have yet to find some good alternatives, so yeah. I can understand the fears.


Virgil, I couldn't agree with you more regarding the media (I don't read newspapers anymore) but the potential problem with regard to overuse of antibiotics has been a well appreciated issue within the medical profession for years - see the articles above (one of which is from the FDA). I'm not sure how hand sanitizers fit into the equation as I'm not sure if they use antibiotic agents or exactly how they work, but what I don't quite understand is why people feel the need to use them. I'd be pretty gutted if someone sanitized their hands after shaking mine ;)

You both mean from use of anti-biotic medicine, not anti-bacterial soaps and/or sanitizers. Right?

[Virgil]

Anyone volunteering to say they bathe once a Year ? or do I dare say Never!? :D

I'm surprised. With all the global warming people around i would have thought one would truly revert to cavemen days, just like their pushing the rest of us to do. :p ;)

[TheFifthElement]

You both mean from use of anti-biotic medicine, not anti-bacterial soaps and/or sanitizers. Right?

Yes, although the benefits of antibacterial soaps and sanitizers are questionable, and the potential detriment is that the antibacterial action has a 'blunderbuss' approach and destroys both harmful as well as helpful bacteria. It also depends, I think, on the type of antibacterial agent in the soap/sanitizer. Information on triclosan (a common antibacterial agent) here: http://www.health-report.co.uk/triclosan.html

To be fair, I'd expect that if I investigated everything used around the home there would be potentially harmful effects. What worries me about antibacterial products in the home is twofold, one that they are advertised as being something that you 'need' and something which would be good for your health, albeit that the medical advice is that you're as well to use soap and water, and that the destruction of 'good' bacteria could actually be damaging to your health (especially in children); and the other is back my old favourite subject, is the human body really that terrifying?!! Perhaps I have a different perspective because I have children, but I find the human body, and all it's functions, intensely fascinating.

Again, I suppose it all comes down to balance. There's nothing wrong with being clean, and if you're smelly you probably need a shower...speaking of which my feet are really smelly. Showertime :D

[kratsayra]

I am going to admit it here and I don't care if I gross you all out - I bathe every other day. I chose #3 to differentiate myself from everyone who bathes every day. Most people find this gross, I figure. Oh well. If it's hot out or something, well that's different. But otherwise, I'm just lazy I guess. And I take showers at night, not in the morning, so I never became one of those people who doesn't feel awake unless they take a shower in the morning or whatever. I'd rather the extra 20 minutes of sleep. ;)

[Virgil]

I am going to admit it here and I don't care if I gross you all out - I bathe every other day. I chose #3 to differentiate myself from everyone who bathes every day. Most people find this gross, I figure. Oh well. If it's hot out or something, well that's different. But otherwise, I'm just lazy I guess. And I take showers at night, not in the morning, so I never became one of those people who doesn't feel awake unless they take a shower in the morning or whatever. I'd rather the extra 20 minutes of sleep. ;)

You grossed me out. :p :D Only kidding Kratsy. ;)

[Lily Adams]

I cannot see myself bathing less than once a day at least. Euuughhh.

[Granny5]

I'm amazed at this thread. I can't imagine NOT bathing everyday, especially when working around other people. Have you ever gotten behind someone in a store who hasn't bathed in a while? The stench is horrible and I, for one, wouldn't want anyone to think the things about me that I think about stinky people. I've had to actually sit people down at work and talk to them about personal hygiene because of complaints from customers and other associates. We work hard and sweat. Clean clothes every day and a bath are part of our work uniform.

[warm feeling]

;)
its nice topic to talk about ..

i am bathing three times or more every week ..

i think that good for my hair ;)

[Granny5]

I have to wash my hair every day. My head sweats so it really needs it. I use a good conditioner everyday too. Now, I will admit that if I am not working I may skip a day, but never two days in a row even if I am not working. If I go camping, I will take a bath in the creek if I have to. Where we usually camp they have hot showers though.

[Koa]

Uh? I take showers, haven't bathed in real ages, I mean years and years. Takes too long and by the time there's enough water in the bath, I'm bored already :D

I also wash my hair every day but I'm trying to do it every other day because I believe one reason why I need it so much is that I got it addicted.. But sometimes I skip a day and feel really paranoid that I look like some homeless person, even if the rest of myself is well showered :S

[Dori]

I'm amazed at this thread. I can't imagine NOT bathing everyday, especially when working around other people. Have you ever gotten behind someone in a store who hasn't bathed in a while? The stench is horrible and I, for one, wouldn't want anyone to think the things about me that I think about stinky people. I've had to actually sit people down at work and talk to them about personal hygiene because of complaints from customers and other associates. We work hard and sweat. Clean clothes every day and a bath are part of our work uniform.

Although I'm often around people who smell, I tend to go all out in gym class so I end up drenched in sweat for chemistry class. :D I imagine I smell pretty bad at that point (lucky for them we only have gym every other day :lol:).

[Taliesin]

Okay, it depends what one takes for "bathing".
In my case, it depends on the season - at summer, I bathe less, because I can go to the sauna and a good sauna beats a bath hands down in every aspect.
In winter, however, when I can't have a sauna due to practical reasons, I bathe more often.
Anyhow, I take a bath/sauna about once a week.
I think it is normal, plus, I have also heard somewhere that about once a week is considered optimally healthy.

Depends on the weather of course, too, I think, since in hot weather people sweat more and need to wash more too, while in normal weather people sweat a lot less.


Have you ever gotten behind someone in a store who hasn't bathed in a while?

Just curious, but how do you know how long someone hasn't bathed? ;)


Anyhow, I am quite amazed too at this thread- that there are so many people who are so zealous about everyone washing themselves constantly.

[Dori]

Depends on the weather of course, too, I think, since in hot weather people sweat more and need to wash more too, while in normal weather people sweat a lot less.

I sweat a lot year round because I'm an athlete (11 out of 12 months a year, I would say). In fact, I did some heavy duty sweating just this morning. :D

[Pensive]

Anyhow, I am quite amazed too at this thread- that there are so many people who are so zealous about everyone washing themselves constantly.

Me too. But I was a bit soothed when I saw someone had voted for 'once a month'. Now I wonder who this is! :p

[Koa]

And I take showers at night, not in the morning, so I never became one of those people who doesn't feel awake unless they take a shower in the morning or whatever. I'd rather the extra 20 minutes of sleep. ;)

I used to be like that too, but now I'm the other way round. I got the habit of showering in the morning in England (I probably know why but that's long to explain) and now I prefer it. Although for about a month I had to get up at 5.30 every morning, and during that time I did take my shower in the evening instead, otherwise I would have had to wake up even earlier...gosh.

[kratsayra]

I'm amazed at this thread. I can't imagine NOT bathing everyday, especially when working around other people. Have you ever gotten behind someone in a store who hasn't bathed in a while? The stench is horrible and I, for one, wouldn't want anyone to think the things about me that I think about stinky people. I've had to actually sit people down at work and talk to them about personal hygiene because of complaints from customers and other associates. We work hard and sweat. Clean clothes every day and a bath are part of our work uniform.

Not everyone has the same personal hygiene needs. I'm sure that there are some people who can get away with not bathing every day . . . you just don't know who they are! :lol: :D

[Dori]

Not everyone has the same personal hygiene needs. I'm sure that there are some people who can get away with not bathing every day . . . you just don't know who they are! :lol: :D

Well, I just went a day without showering. :D

[dramasnot6]

Allergy-inducing or not, I need to shower once a day to combat my stress/anxiety, and also because on most days I go running and if I didn't bathe soon after...well...I wouldn't be very popular.

[ClaesGefvenberg]

Okay, it depends what one takes for "bathing".
Exactly: What about showering, or simply washing off, as opposed to actually soaking in a tub?

/Claes

[thelastmelon]

I never take a bath, I shower instead. I used to take baths when I was younger, but now I just get restless whenever I get in the water and I'm up again after 5 minutes or less. So, it's not really worth the trouble by filling the tub. And since I moved out, I only have a shower and no tub, so it's perfect. :D

[Lote-Tree]

who voted I am a renaisance man or woman!

come on own up :D

[SleepyWitch]

who voted I am a renaisance man or woman!

come on own up :D

are you sure it wasn't you? :D heheh, maybe you're asking this question as a decoy to deflect attention away from yourself? :)
you'll have to learn how to post polls yourself coz that way you can chose whether the poll will be anonymous or not. :)

[Lote-Tree]

are you sure it wasn't you? :D heheh, maybe you're asking this question as a decoy to deflect attention away from yourself? :)
you'll have to learn how to post polls yourself coz that way you can chose whether the poll will be anonymous or not. :)

I assure you. I love water like p**** loves a v***** ;-) :D

And I ain't a renainssance man! I can't even spell the word for God's sakes ;-)

[SleepyWitch]

I assure you. I love water like p**** loves a v***** ;-) :D

And I ain't a renainssance man! I can't even spell the word for God's sakes ;-)

that proves that you are one! because they didn't have fixed spelling back then.
I will not go into the details of ps and vs :)

[Lote-Tree]

that proves that you are one! because they didn't have fixed spelling back then.


Germans don't have fixed spelling even now...so you are renainsance lads and lassies then? :D

[SleepyWitch]

Germans don't have fixed spelling even now...so you are renainsance lads and lassies then? :D

we do, after a lot of back-and-forth our evil spelling reform is finally complete and the spelling is as fixed as it was before, except it's fixed in the wrong place now.
who said we don't have fixed spelling? :confused:

[Lote-Tree]

spelling reform is finally complete


Does that mean German's started bathing regularly only recently?




who said we don't have fixed spelling? :confused:

I heard it on a radio program a while ago.

[SleepyWitch]

Does that mean German's started bathing regularly only recently?
I heard it on a radio program a while ago.

nope, it means we started spelling Delphin (dolphin) like a female Delf recently, i.e. Delfin, the only problem being that there is no such thing as a Delf and everytime I come across a poor dolphin I wonder "what on earth is a female Delf? .... oh, they mean a dolphin!

that's weird... I don't know where they got this info from but that's the first time I heard it.

[symphony]

One of the things i love besides sleep in this world is a long royal bath/shower. May be its because i live in where the tropic of capricorn passes right through ur stomach as u sit in a comfy icecream parlor. Anyway, i take a shower every day. Sometimes twice a day when the heat is murderous. Even in winter i usually take a cold shower (not in mid-winter though), giving my sister an impression that i'm a ghost made of smoke.

[Lote-Tree]

One of the things i love besides sleep in this world is a long royal bath/shower. May be its because i live in where the tropic of capricorn passes right through ur stomach as u sit in a comfy icecream parlor. Anyway, i take a shower every day. Sometimes twice a day when the heat is murderous. Even in winter i usually take a cold shower (not in mid-winter though), giving my sister an impression that i'm a ghost made of smoke.

A fellow Water-Phile :D

Bueno!

I love the soaking in and love showers too...I soak when I have time...but I am always in a rush so don't get to do these soakings very often... :-(

[RoCKiTcZa]

Just saw this thread now, but it seems interesting. If you told someone in my place that he bathed too much, you risk a slap in the face :p Come on, what's wrong with bathing? In school we were always taught that bathing less often was a cause of skin allergies.