According to a study, the 3 dirtiest body parts you forget to wash in the shower

We always take bathing almost for granted to body because we always know how to do it well. However, we don’t all agree on the proper way to shower, as we discovered during a 2019 internet debate over whether it’s important to wash your feet in the shower. That being said, you may remember hearing from your parents, grandmother, or other trusted adult that you were taught to always wash your hands, including behind your ears, between your fingers, and inside your belly button. When you take a bath or shower.

In an attempt to determine whether the wisdom of previous generations has influenced our hygiene and general health, researchers at George Washington University (GW) attempted to examine a theory called “The Grandmother Hypothesis.” Here are the results of the study, along with advice from dermatologists and family medicine doctors on how to properly and safely wash these three frequently neglected areas of the body in the shower.

What Is the Grandmother Hypothesis?

According to a university news release about the study, Keith Crandall, PhD, professor of biostatistics and bioinformatics at GW, said that as a child, his grandmother used to poke the children in his family “behind the ears, between the toes, and on the belly button.” These guidelines serve as the foundation of the “grandmother hypothesis,” which Crandall and other members of the GW Computational Biology Institute study team refer to as the idea that individuals don’t wash these three body parts as regularly as they do, say, the skin on their hands and feet. These regions can thus be home to a variety of germs, some of which can be harmful to a person’s health.

The Study Findings: Does the Grandmother Hypothesis Hold Water?

The researchers found that microbes from commonly washed areas—in this case, the hands and calves—were more diverse and, therefore, more likely to be part of a healthy microbiome than samples from behind the ears, between the fingers, and inside the stomach. This was determined after analyzing a collection of skin swabbing samples collected from 129 graduate and undergraduate students.

In their September publication in the journal Frontiers in Microbiology, Crandall and colleagues detail how if oily, moist areas of the body aren’t adequately cleansed, certain unwanted microbes can completely change the microbiome and cause skin disorders like acne. In addition to eczema, the authors observed that given the small sample size and restricted body areas swabbed for the study, more research is needed to get a more definitive picture of how washing—or not washing—various areas can impact our health.

When we shower, we need to clean every part of our body, even the “hard-to-reach” and “forgotten places,” like behind our ears, between our fingers and inside our belly button, according to research by Laura Purdy, MD, a family physician in Miami. According to the pharmacist, who was not involved in the GW study.

“Washing your body removes dead skin cells, sweat, and natural oils from your skin, as well as dirt, odors, and allergens that have accumulated on your skin throughout the day,” she says. “To thoroughly cleanse your skin, it’s important to wash the areas that have bacteria, viruses, or fungi.”

Now let’s examine each of these three body parts in more detail to find out what can happen when they don’t get a thorough cleaning, as well as how to clean them properly.

The 3 dirtiest body parts you forget to wash in the shower

Behind the Ears

Stacey Tull, MD, a double-board certified dermatologist and micrographic dermatology surgeon in Cottleville, Missouri, who was not involved in the GW study, says that body oil, also known as sebum, and skin cells that are naturally shed from our bodies. Any dirt on the surface, creases or folds anywhere in the skin behind the ears can cause skin irritation anywhere. As she explains, “seborrheic dermatitis,” an inflammatory skin disease, can be caused by a build-up of skin debris. “It’s the skin equivalent of scalp dandruff.”

Dr. Purdy adds that seborrheic dermatitis causes white or yellow flakes to form on the scalp, especially behind your ears. These irritated areas can also become flaky and itchy. Dr. According to Tull, “Any inflammatory skin condition can cause cracks in the skin’s natural barrier, allowing bacteria to enter and cause infection.”

In the same vein, Dr. Purdy warns that if you don’t clean the area behind your ears regularly, you could end up with eczema, or the skin there is sensitive or inflamed. She adds, “If you have pierced ears you should definitely focus on cleaning the area to prevent infection.”

And finally, the smell. Dr. “Sweat is caused by the sweat glands behind your ears,” Purdy explains. “Over time, sweat exposed to bacteria can cause odors.”

The most important thing is to remember to wash your ears behind your ears. It does not require any special technique or product. Dr. According to Tull, “Washing your ears should be no different than washing the rest of your body.”

“Use the soap that works best for your skin. Use a washcloth here if you’ve used it elsewhere. Personally, I basically wash my entire face and body with soap and the friction of my fingers.” Dr. All you need to do is gently massage behind your ears with your fingertips, Purdy agrees.

Between the Toes

The spaces between your toes are not completely cleaned by showering, although most of the water and soap will likely run over your feet and toes before draining.

“The effects of not washing are a little different here because the skin between the toes doesn’t produce as much oil as the rest of the body,” Dr. Tull explains and adds that dead skin cells and debris are the main cause of accumulation. She says it can also result in nail fungus.

Dr. Purdy further notes that because shoes trap moisture in one place, germs and fungus can grow on your feet, which tend to sweat a lot. Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that can occur of skin that typically occurs in between the toes,” she says. “Your feet may be itchy, peeling, scaly, and your skin may develop a rash or crack.”

Dr. According to Tull, not washing regularly between your toes can also lead to bacterial dermatitis, or cellulitis, a bacterial skin disease that can spread to your feet. Because of their reduced tolerance for skin infections, diabetics should take extra care to wash their feet and between their toes.

It’s also very easy to clean between your toes. Dr. Tull says you should shower every time you shower, ideally once or twice a day. Anyone who cannot bathe in a foot bath or take a full bath can often clean between their toes. “Again, washing your feet with the same product you normally use to wash your body will work best,” she adds.

Similarly, Dr. Purdy suggests washing your feet with soap (especially between the toes) and then rinsing thoroughly. “And don’t forget to change your socks,” she adds. “It’s important to wash socks between wears because they harbor a lot of bacteria.”

Inside the Belly Button

Both doctors advise you to regularly clean your navel, known as your “belly button.” In addition to being moist and dark, the belly button consists of numerous folds of skin, which Dr. According to Purdy, sweat, dead skin cells, and other germs, including bacteria and fungi, create the perfect habitat.

She notes that in addition to the possibility of odor, the act of rubbing one’s own skin can increase the risk of infection, with staph and yeast infections being the most prevalent types. “The region may experience extreme irritation, infection, burning, redness, itching, rawness, and even crusting or scab formation.” Pardi says.

Dr. According to Tull, cleaning the belly button once or twice a day should be plenty, and unlike the previously mentioned areas, no special soap is needed. Dr. Purdy advises using a body wash or soap suitable for your skin type if you have sensitive skin or skin conditions like eczema. She also says that those with navel piercings should “take care of the area and wash it regularly.”

To clean the belly button you just need to gently wipe the inside with a soapy finger, then rinse. Some people prefer to use a cotton swab, Dr. Tools emphasize the need to use a tool—or any tool—gently. Be careful not to be too aggressive, such as digging into the area with a Q-tip, because this can induce extra trauma,” she says.