Hot shower dangers that you should know

The benefits of a hot shower

As you may already know, there are many benefits of taking a hot shower. Apart from making you fresher and preventing you from getting cold and shivering, here are some of the benefits of taking a hot shower.

Blood circulation due to hot temperatures can cause dilation of blood vessels
Relaxes tense, stiff and sore muscles especially for those of you with muscle aches and joint pains
Reducing stress and anxiety because hot water stimulates the brain to produce the hormone oxytocin so that you feel happier and more positive
Prevents insomnia and sleep disorders because taking a hot shower before bed will make sleep calmer and of higher quality

Hot shower dangers

Bathing in hot water for too long and using water that is too hot will produce all kinds of negative effects on the body. These physiological changes in the body can even have serious consequences. The following are some of the dangers of a hot shower.

1. Dry and cracked skin

Although they are soothing and relaxing, your skin can dry out if you shower in hot water for too long. It will only show for a while after you finish showering. Why so? Hot water can interfere with the function of the oil glands in the skin. As you know, the oil glands in the skin function to moisturize the skin. The disturbed function of the oil glands causes the skin to become dry and look cracked.

2. Skin burns and irritation

Basically you will know what temperature hot water can tolerate. When exposed to hot water, the receptors on the skin will immediately send a signal to the brain to immediately carry out reflex movements to avoid the hot water. This makes it almost impossible to burn your skin when you take a hot shower. However, this can happen to several groups.

First, sunburn in babies. Baby skin is very different from adult skin so it will be very susceptible to many things, whether it is too hard touch, chemicals or too extreme temperatures. Apart from their delicate and sensitive skin, babies cannot respond if the temperature they receive is too hot. This of course keeps the parents from knowing that the baby is feeling uncomfortable with such hot water.

Second, sunburn in people with diabetes. People with diabetes who have damage to the nerves or commonly called diabetic neuropathy can have the ability and sensitivity to feel heat that is decreased compared to normal people. If normal people will be conscious and overheated at a certain temperature, people with diabetes may not feel it. But after finishing the shower, his skin was already red like it was burning.

3. Blood pressure drops suddenly

As you have seen before, blood vessels can dilate due to hot temperatures. This causes the blood flow to get heavier. However, if the temperature is too high and the duration is too long, the blood vessels throughout the body will become increasingly dilated.

This will cause a drop in blood pressure. To overcome this, the heart will pump faster and harder. For those of you who are experiencing low blood pressure, be careful because you may experience dizziness to loss of consciousness.

If the blood vessels dilate in your head, you may feel very dizzy, lose your balance, and even lose consciousness (fainting). Falling in the bathroom is certainly something to fear because it risks hitting the floor, walls, bathtubs and toilets.

How to take a safe shower to avoid the dangers of a hot shower?

Quoted from Everyday Health, the water heater should be set so that the temperature does not exceed 49 degrees Celsius. The reason is, skin that is exposed to water at this temperature for 10 minutes can produce first degree burns. It is a mild burn that causes damage to the epidermal layer of the skin.

For adults, the recommended safe limit for bathing without causing damage to the skin is 41 to 42 degrees Celsius.

For babies, the safe limit for a hot shower is well below this temperature, which is no hotter than 32 degrees Celsius.

For pregnant women, it is not good to take a long hot shower. According to the Mayo Clinic, taking too long a hot shower can raise your body temperature by up to 38.9 degrees Celsius. This is called hyperthermia.

Pregnant women who are exposed to heat during pregnancy at the age of four to six weeks of pregnancy can increase the risk of abnormalities in the baby's brain or spine.

Therefore, the safe limit for a hot shower is no more than ten minutes. If you are already sweating and feel uncomfortable, immediately finish showering and get out of the shower.

Also, do not use the hot tub when your body is not in a good condition or when your body heat is rising. For example, because of a fever or you have been exhausted from physical activity.