There has been much speculation on Twitter recently about whether we should wash our legs when in the shower. I think legs don’t specifically need washing, and I suspect we overwash generally. How often should we wash, for health benefits or other reasons? (continued)
Pauline Keyne, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, UK
The Ramblers, a walkers’ charity in the UK, advises that showering after a walk in long grass or ferns helps prevent Lyme disease. The tiny ticks that carry the disease might not easily be visible, but if removed and the bite wound cleaned early enough, the risk of infection is minimised.
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So, even if you don’t wash your legs every time you clean more obviously smelly or dirty bits in the shower, a bit of extra attention after a woodland walk when wearing shorts is a good precaution.
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