How many days can you go without taking a bath?...

@aseretdd (13730)

Philippines

October 21, 2008 1:50am CST

I live in a country where it is hot and humid almost all year... and taking a bath or two everyday is essential... well i take one in the morning and one at night... and i wouldn't be able to sleep well at night if i don't... but when i got sick late last week... i deemed is necessary not to take a one for three days... because my fever and cough was quite intense... and i do not want my health condition to worsen... On the third day... i cannot take it anymore... i had to do it... so i boiled some water... and took that relaxing warm bath... and it made me feel good and refreshed... and it made me feel a lot better... and i am glad i finally decided to take a bath... So how long can you go without taking a bath?...

19 people like this

88 responses

@sid556 (30959)

• United States

22 Oct 08

I shower or bathe each day. There have been times, I know , when i've been sick and gone a bit longer...only a couple of times in my life that i remember. I have lived in a tent and lived without running hot water and in both situations have managed to bathe and keep clean every day.

4 people like this

@aseretdd (13730)

• Philippines

24 Oct 08

As long as there is water... even if it is not running not hot... we will still find a way to take a bath... i remember using rain water because there was no running water in the house... and that was good enough for me... Thanks for the response...

1 person likes this

@veejay19 (3589)

• India

21 Oct 08

I too live in a country where the weather is hot throughout theyear and sticky as well, so it is imperative to have a bath everyday. The longest i had to stay without a bath was when i was critically ill and bedridden for almost a year. I had become so weak, like a skeleton and did not have the strength to get up. My mom used to sponge me everyday with warm water but when i took my first bath after nearly a year then it was like heaven.Boy did i miss it for all those months!!

3 people like this

@aseretdd (13730)

• Philippines

22 Oct 08

Oh my... i can just imagine your agony... it is bad enough that you were sick the whole year... but not to be able to take a bath is like double the torture... good thing your mother was kind enough to ease you pain with a sponge bath... that is better than nothing at all... Thanks for the response...

1 person likes this

• United States

27 Oct 08

I can only imagine how great that felt. Glad that your doing alot better.

1 person likes this

@drannhh (15219)

• United States

21 Oct 08

I am a "fire-sign" and do not like getting wet, so a quick shower is more appealing to me than a long soak, although, go figure, I love to swim and have a hard time getting out of the pool sometimes, as although It takes me a little build-up before I will go in each time, once I'm in there, I just want to keep swimming forever. Hope you are feeling much better!

3 people like this

@aseretdd (13730)

• Philippines

23 Oct 08

I still have a nasty cough... but hopefully it will go away before the week ends... well i also love swimming... and could go on for hours without leaving the water... i most particularly love to soak in a beach rather than in a swimming pool... feels more natural that way... Thanks for the response...

@tryxiness (4544)

• Philippines

21 Oct 08

Well, probably two days or whenever I am sick (depending on the length of my sickness). But I doubt I can survive without feeling yucky. I usually take a bath so that I feel refreshed which is like almost everyday. So missing one does not refresh me anymore.

That would lead to my uncomfortability with myself.

3 people like this

@aseretdd (13730)

• Philippines

22 Oct 08

I myself cannot sleep at night without taking a bath... so when i was sick... my discomfort was double of what i was suppose to feel... if only it was not that hot here in the Philippines... maybe we can bare i a lot longer... Thanks for the response...

@klaudine (3650)

• Indonesia

21 Oct 08

Well... I think the best I can do was 2 days. It was then when I was really sick so that I cannot go to bath because of that. The same with you, the weather in my country is very hot, you would get easily sweaty even in the air conditioned room. Having a bath is something that really a must here unless you want to ended up stinky and sticky. LOL.

3 people like this

@aseretdd (13730)

• Philippines

22 Oct 08

I don't think anyone would want t feel sticky sweat all over... but that cannot be helped if we are indeed really sick... and taking a bath would worsen the condition... i am just glad i don't have a fever anymore... Thanks for the response...

1 person likes this

@tuyakiki (3016)

• India

21 Oct 08

I cannot even stay a single day. I take shower regularly and I cannot stay without it,seasons doesn't matter much.Its a good habit too.

3 people like this

@aseretdd (13730)

• Philippines

23 Oct 08

I agree... taking a bath is a good habit... one that is good for our health and everyday feeling... so it is really a must to take at least one a day... especially of one lives in a tropical country where it is hot all year round... Thanks for the response...

@estherlou (5015)

• United States

22 Oct 08

In the US it is standard for most people to bathe every day. Even if it is just a sponge bath. Body odor is offensive to most people.

2 people like this

@aseretdd (13730)

• Philippines

24 Oct 08

Well, body odor is offensive in most cultures... and in the Philippines... it is a must to take a bath/shower twice a day since the heat and humidity can make one sweat very hard... Thanks for the response...

1 person likes this

@rezaahmed (81)

• Bangladesh

22 Oct 08

It is nice question. Once I've spent 52 days without taking bath. Though the reason was purely to see how many days I can do without.

2 people like this

@aseretdd (13730)

• Philippines

24 Oct 08

Oh my... that is like almost 2 months... so did not take a bath just to experiment how far you can go without one... oh my... that is the first time i have ever heard of such a thing... Thanks for the response... welcome to mylot and i hope you enjoy every minute of your stay here...

1 person likes this

@natrlvr2 (383)

• United States

22 Oct 08

I need to take a shower everyday. If I did not have a water/sewer bill I would take one twice a day.LOL.The longest I can go without is one day.Not that I smell bad,I just don't feel clean.

2 people like this

@aseretdd (13730)

• Philippines

24 Oct 08

One day of not taking a bath can still be bearable... the smell won't be that bad since colonge or powder would still help... but two or three days is just too much... so there is already a need to take even just a quick shower... Thanks for the response...

1 person likes this

@anitajayakumar (1202)

• India

21 Oct 08

Any more than 2 days is pushing it. keep posting.. take care and have fun..

3 people like this

@aseretdd (13730)

• Philippines

22 Oct 08

How come?... do you also live in a place where the climate is hot all year long?... or you have unlimited supply of hot water at home... i hope you can elaborate your response... Thanks for the response...

1 person likes this

@Kmarie923 (875)

• United States

21 Oct 08

I usually take a shower everyday. I can go about two days without taking one, but my hair gets all oily and hard to deal with. I hate it when I get sick for a long time, because it actually makes me feel worse to take a shower or bath. Being in that hot water for so long or if I shower, standing up for so long makes me feel dizzy and light headed.

3 people like this

@aseretdd (13730)

• Philippines

22 Oct 08

I know what you mean... that is why when i finally decided to take a bath/shower... i timed myself to not more than 5 minutes... and good thing i was able to do it... if i did it longer... my condition would have worsened... Thanks for the response...

@chiaeugene (2225)

• China

21 Oct 08

the longest i went without shower was about 4 days and that was in nepal when i went for my tracking. the temperature was low so i did not perspire much and therefore was able to skip shower. also the cold temperature made me avoid shower as it was freezing and there was no hot shower to go along with. Now back home due to the high climate of about 35-40degree, i would take shower about 3-4 times daily as i do not like sweaty body and hair. i feel uncomfortable and would like myself clean up before sitting in front of the computer or having my meals. going to bed without shower is also a no-no and i would do so daily

3 people like this

@aseretdd (13730)

• Philippines

22 Oct 08

I think i would also not take a bath if i am in a place as cold as Nepal and with not hot water to use as bath water... i might instantly freeze if i do that... i think it is okay not to take a bath for a few days if that is the case... Thanks for the response...

1 person likes this

@Roseo8 (2947)

• India

21 Oct 08

Oh yes aseretdd,I too have similar weather conditions in my country.....Its hot and sticky and taking two bathes a day is a necessity,and not a luxury..... I think you did the right thing when you were sick....And I am glad you are feeling a lot better already..When I am not well,I too wait for a day without bath,and then the next day I just go ahead and have a bath come what may........But I always end up feeling a lot better ,after the bath......Bathing is really refreshing and even drives away sickness..he..he....

2 people like this

@aseretdd (13730)

• Philippines

23 Oct 08

That is so true... a bath after being sick is like heaven... that was what i felt when i finally took a warm short bath... after two days of going without it... and it made me feel really better... but right now... i still have a nasty cough... and i hope it will go away before the week ends... Thanks for the response...

1 person likes this

@aseretdd (13730)

• Philippines

24 Oct 08

I have been taking medicine for days now... and i am staying away from cold drinks... so i have been coke free for a week now... there is only like a tingling feeling in my throat... but it doesn't hurt anymore... thanks for the advise...

@Roseo8 (2947)

• India

23 Oct 08

Oh dont ignore your cough ,aseretdd...You should take some cough medicine,and refrain from eating or drinking cold items.If you have a sore throat,gargling with some warm salt water will really help..So good luck,get well soon....

1 person likes this

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• Bangladesh

22 Oct 08

i live in bangladesh.as a citizen of bangladesh i remain busy all time.i am an university student.my class start at 8 am in the morning,so many of days i go outside without having my bath.i feel very uneasy if i gooutside without bath.i will try my best to go out after having my bath.but very often it is not possible for me because of scarcity of time.

2 people like this

@aseretdd (13730)

• Philippines

24 Oct 08

Oh my... i am very busy with work... household chores... and taking care of my two year old daughter... but i can still make time for a quick bath/shower just to be able to feel refreshed... i hope you can find time everyday too... Thanks for the response...

1 person likes this

• United States

22 Oct 08

I can go at least one day without showering if i've been a lazy bum and haven't done anything physically. For the most part though if i don't shower once a day i just feel gross.

2 people like this

@aseretdd (13730)

• Philippines

24 Oct 08

Not doing anything the whole day would usually help... since that amount of sweat is not as much as when one has had a very active day... but then i would still want to take a bath or just a quick shower... Thanks for the response...

1 person likes this

@subha12 (18441)

• India

22 Oct 08

not more than one day. i feel actually very bad if I can';t take bath a day. it is so bad that i try to take bath even if I am having fevers etc.

2 people like this

@aseretdd (13730)

• Philippines

24 Oct 08

It is okay to take a hot bath if it is only a slight fever... i think the warm bath might even help the body... but if it is something serious... then it is best to just forgo the bath/shower... Thanks for the response...

1 person likes this

@coffeeshot (3783)

• Australia

22 Oct 08

I can't stand missing out on my showers. I hate the sense of stickiness that you only seem to feel once you go to bed. I love having a shower and feeling so clean and fresh before I go to sleep. I absolutely have to have a shower before I go to bed.

2 people like this

@aseretdd (13730)

• Philippines

24 Oct 08

I can't sleep without taking a bath or shower first... i can't stand the itchy feeling... and that would make me awake all day long... a bath/shower before sleeping would most likely make us fall asleep faster and sounder... Thanks for the response...

@scarlet_woman (23463)

• United States

22 Oct 08

i had to go a week when i had my surgeries-spongebath only..and i was feeling pretty gross by the end of the week. i prefer no more than 2 days or i just feel awful.though i admit when i lived in arizona sometimes it'd be every day,just in an attempt to cool off.

2 people like this

@aseretdd (13730)

• Philippines

24 Oct 08

Oh my... one week without a bath/shower is like shear torture... good thing i haven't been through that... but if it is indeed necessary not to take one for health reasons... then we just have to go through that sacrifice... Thanks for the response...

@mercuryman3a (2477)

• India

22 Oct 08

You took too long my friend. your illness woudl have gone faster if you had taken a bath on teh first day itself. one does not fall ill byu taking a bath and it does not worsen the illness too. youcatch a cold nt because of cold but because of micro organisms. the name cold is a misnomer.

2 people like this

@aseretdd (13730)

• Philippines

24 Oct 08

Well, that was what i was thought... and most doctors would say refrain from taking a bath especially if the fever is quite high... and mine almost reached 40C... so i deemed it necessary to wait for my fever to subside before i took the bath... Thanks for the response...

• United States

22 Oct 08

I went four days without a shower, but I was in a pool everyday. It was still really nasty.

2 people like this

@aseretdd (13730)

• Philippines

24 Oct 08

Did you take a swim but did not take a bath for four days... because that can be equally not good for the skin... and it can leave a very itchy feeling if the pool water is not rinsed off... Thanks for the response... welcome to mylot and i hope you enjoy your stay here...