Why does my skin stay dirty despite regular cleaning?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am 28 years old. I have an issue with keeping my body clean. My body is constantly dirty, in the sense that if I use my fingernails to scrub any part of my body after soaking in water for some time, I always get light or dark greyish gunge under them (more so if I soak in a moisturizing bath soak). Having a simple shower and using a loofah just does not get me clean. I can have showers every day after a bath and scrub, but by day three, I actually feel like I am not clean.

Again, if I use my fingernails, gunge comes off of my body again. It is a real pain to have to soak twice a week, use fingernails, and then exfoliate. I moisturize using Aveeno lotion after the bath. I am very overweight and suffer from hirsutism (maybe that has something to do with it?). Can anything be done about this (where a simple daily shower is enough to get me properly cleaned)? Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and understand your concern.

Yes, being overweight and obese can lead to such problems because our sebaceous glands get bigger and make more sebum, and you feel like being dirty all the time. I suggest you first try to decrease your weight to within limits. It will be very helpful not only for your health but also for your skin. That is why, in obese persons, skin infections are very common.

Secondly, sweating also increases, especially is skin folds where dirt gathers easily, so you see the ultimate solution is weight loss. Apart from that, use olive oil massages on the body before washing and use simple mild soap for bathing.

I hope this helps.

Please revert back in case of queries.

Thank you.