Health Older people should shower rather than bathe

Skin tends to become allergic with age
Seniors should shower better daily than to bathe extensively. The dermatologist Ulrich Klein from Witten advises. Because with age, the functioning of the sebaceous glands decreases sharply, which can lead to faster skin irritation and allergies. To protect the skin, should also be dispensed with perfumed care products.

Redness and itching due to long bathing
Instead of taking a full bath every day, older people should shower better. Because "the older we get, the more the sebaceous glands lose their quality and quantity. This can lead to eczema and promote allergies, "explains the dermatologist Ulrich Klein in an interview with the news agency" dpa ".

To protect their skin, seniors should take a quick shower and use mild care products. (Image: JPC-PROD / fotolia.com)

Do without fragrances and preservatives
According to the experts, it would be more common in senior citizens to a contact allergy. In this case, the skin reacts allergic to certain substances as soon as they come into contact with them. Reddening, blisters, swelling, or itching, itchy skin rash may then appear in the affected areas.

Anyone affected by a contact allergy should, according to Klein, use simple care products containing urea. Parabens or asteroids, such as calendula, could cause skin problems. Furthermore, the dermatologist recommends to abstain from fragrances and preservatives.

Cream at least once a week
Good body hygiene is important, but seniors should generally not overdo it with washing, advises the German Senior League eV To avoid skin irritation, it is therefore advisable to dispense with alkaline soaps, strong rubbing and rough washcloths and especially on sensitive Make sure to wash (eg under the armpits) carefully.

The association recommends taking a quick shower with lukewarm water and using a mild wash gel only where it is necessary. Furthermore, older people should at least once a week on the whole body thoroughly with a rich water-in-oil emulsion cream - with very dry skin often like. (No)