Doctors have noted that some daily bathing rituals can do damage to the skin. Long, hot showers irritate and dehydrate your skin. They also remove the "good bacteria" that help your body fight off infection. If you deal with eczema, this can mean a flare up. Ideally, the water temperature should be two levels below what you normally like. It should also stay at a tolerable level rather than a level that feels good to you. Your shower should be short, about 5 minutes or so. Limit the time standing under the water and apply soap only on strategic areas. After the shower, pat the body dry with a soft towel rather than rubbing it on the skin. The most vital part of your post-shower treatment is the application of a plain, fragrance-free moisturizer. You should splash it all over your body and do another application later on in the day.

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