Bathing

From ArticleWorld

Bathing by definition, is the immersion of the body in liquid, usually water. The objective of bathing may be to cleanse, relax or medicate the body. Bathing in modern times, is often a solitary activity, although bathing activities are offered in some prostitution establishments. Public saunas and spas also offer bathing in a social environment. In ancient times, the Greeks and the Romans considered bathing a very important social activity and bathhouses were a central gathering place for intellectual conversation, some even having a library on the premises.

Types

• - Private baths – (bathtub)
• - Public baths
• - Whirlpool baths – (simillar to a hot tub)
• - Swimming pools (also known as swimming baths)
• - Shower baths
• - Steam shower baths
• - Sauna or infrared sauna baths
• - Decontamination baths
• - Hot baths
• - Cold baths

Hazards

• - Drowning is one danger of bathing. Baths that have standing water involve a higher risk of drowning.
• - Heatstroke can result from the use of sauna baths, or other hot baths.
• - Hypothermia from cool baths and not being sensitive to the cold, or falling asleep.
• - Ear infections, also known as swimmer's ear can result from water building up, and the resulting increase in bacteria.
• - Impact injuries are possible from landing inappropriately in a bath. Slips and falls when entering and exiting are also common.
• - Irritation caused by bathing solutions or other cosmetic products.
• - Infection caused by sharing dirty bathwater, or bathing with others.
• - Collapsing can occurr when getting out of the bath, because of the sudden change in blood pressure, particularly when the bath is very hot.
• - With advanced age, some people experience a diminished ability to sense temperature, and must use extra care to avoid accidentally scalding themselves while bathing. Caution is needed with children as well, as their body is much more sensitive to temperature, and pain, and they are more vulnerable to changes in temperature. This is particularly the case with babies.
• - Bathing infants too often has been linked to the development of asthma, or severe eczema, according to some researchers.