Are you wondering what the safest temperature for a bath is? The answer may differ depending on your skin type. But there is no rule about how hot the shower should be, but most scientists recommend keeping the temperature at 98°F to 101°F or no more than 105 °F. This is because your water heater can rise to 125°F even if the dial states it’s set to a lower temperature.
Naturally, there is a lot of controversy over what the perfect temperature for taking a bath is. Some people like to take hot baths at temperatures that are barely tolerable and others prefer to keep their water ice cold.
For instance, if you have sensitive skin or want an anti-inflammatory treatment from your bath, then you should keep it at a lower temperature. However, if you have trouble sleeping or just want to relax then try taking your baths at higher temperatures. In this blog, you’ll learn the best bath temperature for your skin type.
What is the safest bath temperature?
Typically, the best shower water temperature is on the lower side of normal body temperature which is 98°F or 36°C. You can raise the temperature by a few degrees to make it more comfortable, but anything above 104°F or 40°C can be dangerous. Showering and bathing at high temperature range can cause your skin to dry out. If you have dry skin, then it is best to shower or bathe in cooler water.
Bathing in hot water can strip the skin of its natural moisture, causing skin dryness and itchiness. However, not only can very hot bath or water irritate your skin, but it might leave you lightheaded or dizzy. People who are sensitive to heat often feel faint in hot surroundings or when exercising. Keep in mind that steam raised from a scalding shower can cause hot water inhalation, which is something to be avoided.
If you are moistening dry skin soaks or steams in the shower, then check the temperature before you step in. Using very hot water for this process can damage your skin barrier and cause more harm than good. This is because your natural oils or emollients will protect your skin barrier from the heat.
In some cases, these oils can be completely soaked up by very hot water, making you more vulnerable to dryness and irritation. Therefore, the ideal bath temperature is around 98°F or 36°C. You can increase the temperature by a few degrees to make it more comfortable, but anything above 104°F or 40°C can be dangerous.
What’s the benefits of taking safe hot bath?
Although a safe bath water temperature is typically considered to be around 98 degrees Fahrenheit, it can vary depending on a person’s health condition. For most people, the recommended safe bath temperature is between 99 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. As a result, taking a bath at this temperature range is not only beneficial for your health but also makes you feel rejuvenated and relaxed. In addition, there are certain benefits of taking a safe bath temperature can provide the following benefits:
1. Fall asleep faster
Taking a safe bath temperature of around 100% F before going to bed can help you fall asleep faster. This is because the water helps relax your muscles, which in turn makes it easier for your body to unwind. As a result, taking a bath an hour or so before hitting the sack may be very helpful.
The bath thermometer can also help you determine the perfect bath water temperature for sleeping. The cold water from the tap is usually around 60 degrees Fahrenheit, so you may have to heat it a bit. In addition, adding a little cold water from time to time can also help you achieve the desired temperature as well as prolong the time until your skin becomes dry and prune-like.
2. Lower blood pressure
As mentioned earlier, taking a bath at an ideal temperature can help you lower your blood flow. This is because the bath water helps constrict your blood vessels and slow down your heart rate. As a result, if you are suffering from high blood pressure, taking regular bath water temperatures can help bring it under control. However, it is always important to consult with your doctor before making any changes to your medication or treatment plan. But make sure to avoid to take bath from extremely cold water.
3. Relieves muscle tension
Though the ideal bath temperature helps you relax and takes your mind off your worries, it can also help relieve muscle tension and reduce pain. Water with a safe or ideal bath temperature is very effective in relieving different types of muscular pain such as back pain, arthritis, and more. In addition, this is because the hot water stimulates blood flow to the muscles which ultimately reduces the pain and eases tension. And the core body temperature will rise, speeding up the healing process of any damaged tissue.
4. Have healthier skin
As mentioned above, one of the benefits of taking a safe bath with giving maximum temperature is that it can help you improve your skin condition. The high water temperature helps open up the pores in the skin, which results in easier rinsing and cleaning. This means that it is much easier to clean dirt or bacteria from the body when having a hot bath. The skin’s natural oils are also retained better when the bath is not extra hot water. In addition, hot water also helps soften the skin and removes dead skin cells. As a result, your skin will look and feel healthier after taking regular baths at a good water temperature.
5. Have to relieve cold/flu symptoms
Taking a safe warm bath temperature can also help relieve cold and flu symptoms. Specifically, the fever that comes with these conditions is caused by the body’s immune system fighting off infections or foreign objects. When you take a safe bath temperature, your body’s immune system is boosted as it tries to fight off any added heat from the warm water. As well the normal body temperature returns and you feel more comfortable. This is why taking a bath can have the same effect as using over-the-counter medications. The air temperature while taking a bath should be between 60 to 80% F.
6. Reduces Headache
Therefore, too much heat in the bathroom can also cause headaches. Taking a warm bath or shower is perfect because it will help you sit in the tub for an extended period. Which helps relieve tension headaches thanks to the soothing effect of hot water over your forehead. However, if you suffer from chronic tension headaches, taking very hot baths should be avoided at all costs. In addition, when you get out of the bath, be sure to open a few windows to help your body adjust back to a cooler temperature after being in hot water for so long.
7. Improves blood circulation
Taking a safe bath with warm water can help improve your blood circulation. This is because the warmth of the water dilates your blood vessels, allowing more blood to flow through your system with ease. Not only does this ensure that nutrients are easily transported to all parts of your body but also provides oxygen at a faster rate.
As a result, taking a warm bath at a safe temperature can help improve your overall health and make you feel energized. The cooler baths, on the other hand, can help you reduce your blood pressure. However, most experts recommend taking a safe warm bath because it has maximum health benefits.
Things we should remember
Here are some guidelines you should follow during bath time while taking hot showers and they are:
- For safe bathing, keep the water temperature below 110% F.
- If you going to take bath with cold water make sure you do have not any serious infections or wounds on your body.
- The body temperature should not be lower than 98.6% F (37°C).
- Ensure the person is in good health condition before taking hot shower baths.
- Avoid environmental dirt and dust as much as possible.
- Regularly clean the bathtub, shower area and bathroom floors to reduce the number of germs.
- Use a mat in the bathtub or on the floor to help prevent slips and falls.
- The water temperature is important to set because it could help prevent blood vessel constriction during bath time.
- Add cold water to the bathtub to lower the temperature if it becomes too hot, it prevents you from serious burns.
- Test the temperature of the bath water with your elbow before getting in to avoid burns.
- Avoid a hot water tank if the water gets consumed faster.
- Make sure the body temperature before setting the bath water temperatures.
- The ideal temperature of the human body is 98.6 F. So, the ideal water temperature should be 1 or 2 degrees below that.
- Drink plenty of fluids before and after taking a bath to avoid dehydration.
- Adults and children should never be in the same bathtub. If a child is bathing with an adult, use a kitchen timer to set a limit on how long the child can stay in the bath water tub.
- Avoid sudden change in water temperature as it may produce shock and illness.
- Preferably take a bath daily, but not exceeding a maximum of twice a day.
- Pat dry the skin after bathing and do not rub it vigorously with a towel.
- Moisturize your skin daily to prevent it from becoming dry.
The Bottom line:
Therefore, f you want to keep your body healthy and protect yourself from infections, then it’s best not to take baths that are too hot or too cold. Soaking in water at 98 % has been shown to improve lymphatic circulation and boost the immune system.
When taking a wintertime bath, make sure the room isn’t colder than 68 degrees; otherwise, you’ll risk heart problems because of your decreased blood flow when exposed to extreme temperatures. As well in this article, we have shown you the science behind water temperature and how it affects your body. Whether or not to take a bath is up to personal preference, but we hope that this information helps inform your decision. So, share your experience with us through a comment section below.
