Doctors Are Begging You to Break This Super-Common Shower Habit ASAP
The bathroom is one of the germiest places in your home. You probably expect bacteria and other grimy things to lurk in and around your toilet. But germs are also commonly found on your shower floor, bathmat, faucet, and tap.
Your shower floor and shower curtain often contain 60 times more bacteria than your toilet seat, according to a SafeHome.org report.
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While it sounds gross, these germs usually aren’t much to worry about, says family physician Dr. Mark Loaman, MD. “We don’t need or benefit from a sterile bathroom, and it would be impossible to maintain one even if we tried.”
Bacteria will always show up, he adds, and it’s typically better to be exposed to an array of routine bacteria than to “obsessively clean our bathrooms,” which may result in the surviving bacteria being more resistant and aggressive.
Even if the germs hanging out in your shower aren’t typically harmful, some of your showering habits may not be the healthiest, especially for your skin. Here are some shower habits that doctors urge you to break.
The No. 1 Shower Habit to Break
More than half of Americans say they shower every day, and 11% shower more than once a day, according to a YouGov poll. For many people, that’s unnecessary.
“It’s not entirely necessary to shower daily unless you exercise, sweat or come in contact with chemicals or other irritants,” says Dr. Amy Huang, MD, a dermatologist at Medical Offices of Manhattan and contributor to LabFinder.
The skin is the body’s largest organ, and it’s on the frontline of your immune defense system, Dr. Loafman says. It plays an important role in fluid management, temperature regulation, protection against minor trauma, and other functions.
“These health benefits can usually be maintained with less frequent showering,” he adds. However, many people worry about body odor and choose to shower every day.
Long, frequent showers with very hot water can strip the oil from your skin that protects the outer layers, Dr. Loafman says. This can dry out the skin, Dr. Huang notes. Dry, irritated or cracked skin may allow bacteria or allergens to break through and potentially cause a skin infection or allergic reaction, according to Harvard Medical School.
There’s no rule for how often you should shower, but Harvard suggests a few times a week is enough for most people—unless you get excessively sweaty or dirty.
Other Shower Habits to Change
How frequently you choose to shower is up to you and your lifestyle. But there are a few other habits you might want to think closely about when you bathe:
Start washing your feet
Many people don’t specifically wash their feet in the shower, likely believing the soapy water dribbling to their extremities is enough to clean them. But this is a mistake, says Dr. Huang.
“People should wash their feet regularly in the shower, especially if they sweat profusely,” she explains. “The feet harbor bacteria, yeast and fungi, some of which can cause problems if there is an imbalance in the microbial flora.”
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Dr. Loafman says not washing your feet might lead to fungal and bacterial infections, such as athlete's foot. He recommends using a soapy washcloth to wash the tops and bottoms of your feet and in between your toes.
Shorten your shower
The average shower lasts about eight minutes and uses more than 16 gallons of water, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Taking shorter showers will save water and energy, and it’s also better for your skin.
Long, hot showers can dry out and possibly damage the skin. The ideal shower is just long enough to thoroughly cleanse the skin, Dr. Loafman says.
Avoid scrubbing your skin
It may seem like scrubbing your skin is the best way to get it clean. But using harsh body scrubs and loofahs, especially aggressively, can damage or irritate the skin, Dr. Huang says.
Another thing: loofahs and shower poufs can harbor bacteria and fungi that may cause acne or skin infections when you keep using them, she adds. So, change them out regularly.
Skip antibacterial soap
Bathing with mild soap is the best approach, Dr. Loafman says. “The soaps we recommend are neutral pH (not caustic), and rely on simple mechanical friction to cleanse (not antibacterial ingredients), and are unscented.”
Avoid soaps or body washes that are caustic (meaning they contain lye or other harsh chemicals), antibacterial or heavily scented, he adds, as they can aggravate the skin.
Antibacterial soap can potentially harm the skin’s microbiome, preventing it from fighting off germs and providing immunity from illness.
Moisturize after showering
No matter how often you shower, Dr. Loafman says you should moisturize immediately afterward. That’s especially the case if you have dry skin or conditions like eczema.
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The American Academy of Dermatology recommends applying a moisturizer within a few minutes of toweling off after you shower. Slathering your skin with a lotion or cream right after bathing can help trap existing moisture.
Rethink washing your hair every day
Just like you don’t always need to shower every day, you also don’t need to wash your hair daily. Everyone’s hair is different, but every two or three days is sufficient for most people, according to the Cleveland Clinic. You might want to wash it more often if you have oily hair or work out and get sweaty regularly.
You might be washing your hair too much if it’s dry and brittle or breaks easily, or your scalp is dry and itchy. Try using dry shampoos in between washes instead.
Can You Get Sick From Your Shower Habits?
Of course, it’s a good idea to regularly clean your shower and the rest of your bathroom for hygiene’s sake. Dr. Loafman says it’ll keep bacteria, fungi and other germs under control.
It’s unlikely that you’ll get sick from these germs, though. However, some people may be sensitive to black mold, which can thrive in humid environments like your bathroom, Dr. Huang says. Dr. Loafman says he sometimes sees fungal foot infections and the occasional staph bacterial infection that someone possibly came in contact with from a shower.
“Good skin self-care and good, routine cleansing of facilities are almost always sufficient to prevent these problems,” Dr. Loafman says. But, if they come up, see your doctor, who can recommend an appropriate treatment.
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Sources:
Mark Loafman, MD, family physician
Amy Huang, MD, dermatologist at Medical Offices of Manhattan and contributor to LabFinder
Bathroom Bacteria & Germs Statistics for 2023, SafeHome.org
Showering daily -- is it necessary?, Harvard Medical School
Save Water and Energy by Showering Better, Environmental Protection Agency
Dermatologists' top tips for relieving dry skin, American Academy of Dermatology
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