Dermatitis Neglecta – When You Do Not Shower

What happens in our body when we do not shower is quite spooky. The stories of how bad smells and skin infections are the results of lack of hygiene are true. Science has actually studied these effects and even identified a pathology known as dermatitis neglecta.

You may not know it, but the skin is constantly colonized by microorganisms. This microbiota, found in the epidermis, is made up of bacteria and fungi. There are different types of bacteria and they vary depending on the climate and age of each person.

The skin microbiota fulfills various functions and body hygiene plays an important role in the process of maintaining it. What happens in our body when we do not shower is that we stop interfering positively in the growth of bacteria and fungi. Thus, we give it an opportunity for uncontrolled reproduction.

The lack of showering and bathing makes it easier for bacteria to multiply, and the body begins to assimilate pathogenic microorganisms that no longer fulfill healthy functions in the body. In short , we are more exposed to external bacteria and fungi.

Dermatitis neglecta occurs when we do not shower

Our body changes when we do not wash for several days. Although some of these changes are internal, such as a change in metabolism, most are external. They concentrate on the skin. Among these changes we have:

• Slow metabolism. Showering and bathing stimulate internal cellular processes. Thus, the metabolism increases with hygiene because it gets a stimulus to generate energy. On the other hand, without proper hygiene, energy production processes recede.

• Accumulation of dead tissue. Washing removes the dead cells in the epidermis so that new cells can fit. This also reduces sebum production, so it especially affects people with acne.
• Skin infections. As you can imagine, the implantation of pathogenic microorganisms is promoted when we are not showering. Dermatitis neglecta is a clinical form we will review later.
• Bad smell. The skin begins to smell bad when we do not wash regularly. Although the cause of the unpleasant odor is usually due to sweat, this is not the actual source. Lack of washing generates implantation of bacteria that are not part of the normal skin microbiota. Thus, bacteria accumulate and the skin stores rotting dead cell debris. This is where the smell comes from.

Dermatitis neglecta

Relatively recently, in 1987, researchers described this pathology. It is not a new disease, and researchers are continuing to conduct studies on this condition.

Dermatitis neglecta occurs in our body when we do not wash often. It manifests itself as flaky skin. This dandruff is structured and has a high sebum concentration. The main reason here is poor hygiene.

Poor hygiene does not always have to do with laziness or lack of interest in one’s personal appearance. When it comes to mentally ill people, for example , these people will not care as a consequence of their mental state. There are also local forms of this condition, often around surgical scars that are not cleansed because it would be very painful.

Another clinical condition that people often confuse with dermatitis neglecta is terra firma-shaped dermatosis . The main difference is the beginning age since teenagers are most affected by the latter. These are teenagers who neglect hygiene due to the behavioral changes that are typical of this phase of life. These, of course, include typical poor hygiene habits.

Dandruff is the only symptom of dermatitis neglecta . The bad smell is accompanied by damage due to the accumulation of cell debris and the bacteria that spread there. Washing is the only treatment and the condition does not require antibiotics.

It is also not healthy to wash too often

What happens in our body when we do not wash ourselves is harmful, but doing it too much can also have a negative effect. Balance is the best measure.

This is because excessive washing leads to dermatitis. Excessive flaking and therefore loss of cells that are important for the protection of the epidermis can occur.

In addition, we usually use chemicals such as soaps, jellies and shampoos when we shower, and this also leads to certain outcomes. The skin may react to such compounds and unwanted side effects may occur.

Conclusion

Our body gets a number of skin reactions when we do not shower. More than three days without showering can be harmful due to changes in the microbiota, leading to the production of bad odors.

In the same way, you should not become completely obsessed and wash yourself too much. There must be a balance point that allows you to maintain the right level of body hygiene.