By Mutalib Jibril
I came across a post by a medical doctor who stated that using a sponge for bathing offers no additional benefits. He explained that the skin naturally exfoliates with the application of soap and water, making sponge users no cleaner than those who don’t use one. He noted that using a sponge could lead to skin abrasions and itching.
Intrigued, I read through the comments to gauge public opinion, and as expected, reactions were mixed. Some people shared that they’ve been bathing with only soap and water (without a sponge) for several years and find that using a sponge irritates their skin. On the other hand, there are those like myself who feel incomplete without a sponge.
Curious, I decided to try bathing without a sponge for a day. Frankly, I felt as though I hadn’t bathed at all and later resorted to using a sponge again.
In my view, bathing without a sponge is perhaps meant to suit a particular group of people. It applies to those who work in clean, air-conditioned environments or lead more sedentary lives. However, for people engaged in menial work, such as charcoal producers, bricklayers, roadside mechanics, etc, who get significantly dirty from their work, just soap and water might not suffice. These individuals likely need a sponge to feel thoroughly clean.
Imagine trying to even convince an African mother that bathing without a sponge is effective might be an uphill battle, especially considering the rigorous scrubbing many of us endured growing up, particularly the boys who often played rough and got very dirty.
Some comments opposing the Doctor’s post drew humorous comparisons, suggesting that if using a sponge has no benefit, then brushing teeth with a toothbrush might also be unnecessary. Vividly, this analogy is flawed and doesn’t support the argument.
Doctors are well-trained medical professionals, and his ( the Doctor who made the post ) perspective is based on medical knowledge. Another medical doctor supported his view in a subsequent post. While you may disagree, it’s important to consider the medical perspective rather than relying on faulty analogies.
The doctor said using a sponge to wash your skin(bath) has no additional benefits, not that it is dangerous. Some people experience body itches if they don’t use a sponge, while others get itches when they do.
Ultimately, you’re at liberty to choose what works best for you.