how often do you take a bath?

it may be hard for me, but it is much harder for the patients. that's why i try to stay in the philippines although greener pastures are calling. lol ^_^ hm, time to take a bath! hehe

hehe. it's funny that taking a bath doesn't exactly reduce microbial counts. it seems to contradict common sense, doesn't it? but so far, the only statements about bathing and recommendations on how frequent you should take a bath are from the center for disease control. the recommendations are vague, at best. the cdc says that bathing does remove oil, dirt, etc, and gives a sense of well being, but does not influence microbial counts that much. there is usually a more or less stable amount (and type) of bacterial flora on the skin, as long as the skin is healthy. oh, i am scared of MRSA, MDRTB, and pseudomonas. as you already know, i live in a third world country where gloves and masks are almost a luxury in charity hospitals. since the patient can't afford to buy masks for all the doctors who visit, we usually alot the available masks to the senior doctors. but they call other doctors to come do the rounds with them, and unfortunately, we do the rounds WITHOUT masks. i tried bringing my own masks before. then there were senior doctors who preferred NOT to wear masks (i don't know why on earth they DO this), and THEY think it is bad manners that you, a junior, are wearing masks while they, senior doctors, are not. so, again, i end up inhaling all the germs. :o you can imagine how that kind of health practice shocks me. i can't even refuse as i will be given MORE duty hours if i complain. the health system (and administration) of so many hospitals in the philippines is indeed substandard. and even doctors, especially the young ones, are forced to follow. anyway, forgive my ranting. i so badly want patients and doctors alike to get the most out of healthcare. but given that our country is poor and the people with power don't think it's that important, the fight for better health practice is almost futile. so, anyway, even if i take a bath, i believe i'm carrying all the germs. lol. but i also believe that my handwashing (and moisturizing in between washes) will prevent me from getting pathogenic germs as the "good skin germs" can prove quite effective in killing off the harmful germs. but yes, i believe it's alright for your husband to wash off at night. i'm glad he also takes care of his skin because if he doesn't, he'll be more prone to the bad germs. here in the philippines, most people wash their entire body (including hair) at least once a day. they also clean their ears way too much. often, i encounter patients who get impacted cerumen (the earwax gets mashed in and blocks the ear) because they keep using ear buds and they don't even know how. :o i also have friends who get a really funky odor down there... yes, down there, lol. when i asked questions, i found out two of my friends are using feminine betadine (?!) washes everday. ah, that's the culprit. the betadine is killing off the normal flora down there! i'm glad your bathing habits are very good. i'm also relieved you moisturize. healthier skin, less infections. ^_^

Thanks! I'm sorry that you have to deal with such poor conditions in the hospital you work in. It must be terribly difficult.

once a month? my, you grandpa must really have a lot of savings when it comes to water bills. ^_^ yes, the hair thing can be quite a problem. i take long baths because of my hair. baths were quicker wen i had shorter hair... :/ i try to get low maintenance hair, more of wash-and-wear, because i need to always do things quick. if i'm in the middle of styling my hair when i get paged, the poor chap in the emergency room will surely suffer. hehe. ^_^

He was from an age where dirt was thought to be a protective barrier. It was an experiance for us kids (no always the most plesant smell) and a day to celebrate when he did decide it was time.

the center for disease control actually says that bathing may get rid of dirt, but not exactly microbes. in fact, microbial count on the skin in frequent bathing is HIGHER after baths than before baths. =) it has something to do with skin health. the more you wash your skin, the more it is dehydrated and unhealthy. the skin has macrophages and langerhans cells, basically soldiers of the skin, who maintain microbial flora on the skin. after FREQUENT baths, the skin actually becomes more unhealthy! the line between what's frequent and what's not is a little vague, though, at this point... but if your skin starts to feel really tight and dry, then you might be bathing too much. surprising what CDC says about bathing, huh?

still, thanks for taking notice and taking the time to respond. =)

wow, you're lucky that you get long baths. most people i know don't have tubs so taking baths with all the bubbles and salts is really a luxury. :) but people here like taking frequent showers. it's a really hot country so people cool their bodies by frequent showers. ^_^

oh wow, inside a machine? sounds dangerous... i like warm baths, too. but sometimes when i'm out all day and it's summer at its hottest, a cold bath feels good. hehe. but generally, i steer clear of anything cold. brrrr. ^_^ i secretly fear i'll become a gremlin! hahaha

did you really think this discussion was weird? :) i thought it was a relevant issue because no satisfactory medical literature is available on effective bathing practices. People i meet usually think that their own hygiene practices are adequate. The truth is, nobody really knows how frequent one should take a bath. How about you, how do you define good bathing habits? :)

hahaha that's funny ^_^ i hope the old fashioned bathroom doesn't get jealous. hehe

it must be really hot in your country! where do you live? i am way too busy to take three baths in one day! having long hair doesn't help - i take an hour taking a bath. and seeing that my job requires me to always anticipate being called, having long baths, and three in a day at that, is really quite a luxury. :/ i take a maximum of two baths: before and after work. i don't want to carry germs into my apartment. but i still have to research more on the repercussions of two baths per day, as i mentioned in the first response... =)