While daily bathing is not strictly necessary, going too long without bathing can have significant effects on the body.
Mr. Amou Haji, 87 years old, lives in a small village near the desert in Fars Province, southern Iran, and is dubbed the “dirtiest man in the world” due to his record of 67 years without bathing.
His skin is covered with a thick layer of grime made up of dirt and dead skin, his eyes are nearly obscured, and he has a strong odor.
Mr. Amou Haji has not bathed since 1954. (Photo: Imgur).
No one knows why he chose to live this way or why he has avoided bathing for decades. However, he once believed that being clean would make him sick. The last time he bathed was in 1954.
Keeping himself filthy is this man’s secret to living so long.
Moreover, Amou has some habits that are terrifying to hear about, such as enjoying eating rotten meat grilled over fire, smoking dried animal dung through a metal pipe, or using fire to burn his beard.
Scientists believe this man suffers from a condition called ablutophobia – or the fear of bathing. This is a form of anxiety characterized by a fear of bathing.
However, according to most experts, not bathing for an extended period can have several negative effects on the body:
Bacteria
The human body harbors both good and bad bacteria. The skin serves as an important barrier to prevent harmful bacteria from entering the body, which can lead to illness.
Dr. Aishah Muhammad, a pediatrician in India, states that we come into contact with many types of bacteria throughout the day. If we do not bathe, these bacteria remain on the skin, posing the greatest risk of causing skin and respiratory infections.
Increased Risk of Illness
When we bathe, we wash away the germs we encounter throughout the day, including those that can enter the body through the eyes, mouth, and nose, causing illness.
Not bathing increases our susceptibility to common diseases such as colds, flu, conjunctivitis, and sore throats.
Body Changes
In addition to the direct effects on health, prolonged periods without bathing can lead to dry skin due to the accumulation of dirt and sweat that is not washed away, greasy hair, acne all over the body, and unpleasant odors from bacteria decomposing sweat into acid…
In some individuals, the body may also adapt to the lack of bathing, such as altering the immune system and developing resistance to certain diseases. This may be what has happened to Amou Haji, as he has lived so long without ever bathing.
