The hot weather often makes me feel uncomfortable, so I have a habit of showering several times a day to cool down. Could an expert please tell me if this habit is effective in reducing body temperature? (Ngoc Hung - 45 years old, Ho Chi Minh City).

Dr. Truong Thien Niem, a specialist in General Internal Medicine in Ho Chi Minh City, provides the following advice:

Extreme hot weather leads some people to shower multiple times a day to cool down. They think that showering frequently makes them feel more comfortable on a hot day, but this habit can strip the skin of its natural protective oils, causing dryness and affecting its ability to regulate body temperature.

Here are 3 things to avoid when showering:

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  • Avoid showering too often or for too long.
  • Do not shower immediately after being in the sun or sweating profusely.
  • Avoid showering with water that is too cold.
Avoid showering too often or for too long.

Bathing in water at a suitable temperature allows the body to dissipate heat through the skin, temporarily lowering body temperature and creating a feeling of comfort. However, if you bathe too often, especially with water that is too cold, or bathe immediately when your body is hot, after being in the sun, or after strenuous exercise, the sudden temperature change can cause peripheral vasoconstriction, increasing the burden on the cardiovascular system and causing dizziness, hypotension, and even danger in people with cardiovascular disease or the elderly.

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People should not take a shower immediately after coming in from the hot sun. (Illustrative photo: Hoang Ha)

In addition, showering multiple times a day can strip the skin of its natural protective oils, leaving it dry, easily irritated, or increasing the risk of dermatitis, especially in children and people with sensitive skin.

For adults, one to two baths per day are usually appropriate. Young children should also avoid bathing for too long or too often because their skin is still thin and their thermoregulation system is not yet fully developed.

Do not shower immediately after being in the sun or sweating profusely.

After being outdoors in hot weather or engaging in strenuous activity, your body is still in a state of vasodilation and thermoregulation. If you shower immediately, especially with cold water, your body is more susceptible to thermal shock, with sudden vasoconstriction, increasing the risk of low blood pressure, dizziness, or cardiovascular events.

Experts recommend that people rest in a cool place for about 15-30 minutes, waiting for their body temperature to stabilize before taking a shower.

Avoid showering with water that is too cold.

The ideal water temperature during the hot season should be moderately cool to slightly warm, around 32-37 degrees Celsius, close to body temperature.

Taking a shower with excessively cold water, especially for the elderly or those with cardiovascular disease, can cause blood vessels to constrict suddenly, increasing the burden on the heart and blood pressure. Additionally, showering late at night when the ambient temperature drops also increases the risk of cardiovascular events and stroke.

Note that elderly people should shower in a draft-free room with non-slip mats or handrails to reduce the risk of falls. For people with cardiovascular disease, if symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, or dizziness appear while showering, they should stop immediately, rest, and seek medical attention if symptoms do not improve.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/3-khong-khi-tam-ngay-nang-nong-2519616.html