Encourage A Teen Who Is Negligent About Bathing To Visit The Family Doctor

Posted on

Many teens are highly meticulous about bathing practices, often spending a considerable amount of time in the bathroom at home each day. However, there are also teenagers who aren't conscientious about this topic, and you may see this negligent behavior as something of a concern. Talking to your teen about proper bathing habits is part of your job as a parent, but if you feel as though your words aren't getting through, it may be time to turn to an expert. Encourage your teen to visit your family doctor to talk about this important subject matter. The physician will go over these topics.

Importance of Bathing

It's possible that your teenager isn't aware of the importance of daily bathing, and thus may not think that his or her inattention in this area is a problem. The family doctor will talk about the importance of regular bathing from several perspectives. For example, a teen who doesn't keep himself or herself clean could develop a skin rash. The doctor won't hesitate to provide some tips on effective bathing, which can especially be helpful if you haven't provided these details.

Identification of Challenges

There's a chance that your teen has specific physical or mental challenges that prohibit proper bathing. For example, if the teen is significantly overweight, he or she may struggle to reach certain body parts in the shower or bath. The doctor may provide some advice in this area, while also offering tips on weight loss to help your teen's overall health. Your teen may have emotional challenges about bathing in certain ways. For example, a teen who may be nervous about changes to his or her body may be nervous about touching his or her genital area for bathing purposes.

Discussion of Implications

Unfortunately, a teen who doesn't adequately bathe himself or herself may begin to smell badly, and this can lead to bullying at school. It's possible that your teen has already encountered such issues. The family doctor will gently ask when this is the case, and will give your son or daughter a chance to share whatever feelings are present about this situation. The physician may warn that prolonged periods of bullying can have lasting psychological effects, and this can help your teen to understand the importance of regular bathing. This is a potentially uncomfortable topic for you and your child, but the intervention of a medical professional will help.


Share