eczema_haver

I've asked my parents too, who I only see 3-4 times a years, and they said there's no smell. And I trust they wouldn't lie to me about something like this. For obvious reasons I haven't brought up the question with people I'm not as close to, like coworkers.

Other factors that I've experienced (with eczema):

- Water temperature has a huge effect; consider taking lukewarm or even cold showers, if you can get used to it

- Using a wash rag is much harsher than just using soap in your hand. The coarse surface really used to tear up the outer layer of my skin.

- When drying off with a towel, pat instead of rub

Yes, that's what I'm saying. Believe what you want, but I've pointedly asked multiple people and I trust that they wouldn't lie to me. Just wanted to add a data point to the discussion. I'm not saying that what I'm doing would work for everybody, but I am saying there's some truth to the general idea of less harsh cleaning of one's skin.

I do have to wonder if part of it is the way my skin is extra-eager to shed cells on its own (due to the eczema). That could be functioning as a kind of "automatic shower". Which would explain why some people with skin issues can do this without problems, but not everyone can. That's pure speculation though.

I have eczema, and at one point it got so severe from taking (too-)hot showers, that I could hardly sleep for weeks because of the discomfort. Out of desperation I gave up showering altogether so that I could heal. I eventually realized that I didn't really smell. After my skin healed I didn't resume showering. That was about four years ago. I've never had anyone (including my partner whom I live with) tell me I smell under normal circumstances (in fact I asked my partner directly), nor that my skin looks or feels oily or abnormal in any way. Same with my hair. I do smell for a few hours right after vigorous exercise or something, but it's nothing a little deodorant and a fresh shirt can't fix.

I don't know if everybody is this way - I'm sure it varies a lot by body chemistry - but for me at least there have been no downsides. In addition to saving time, I have to think I've saved an enormous amount of water. From the article, it sounds like I may be healthier for it too.