What is the recommended water temperature for rinsing immediately after exiting the ocean?
Answer
Fresh, lukewarm water should be used immediately for rinsing.
The immediate aftercare protocol upon exiting saltwater emphasizes gentle cleansing using lukewarm fresh water. Delaying this rinsing process is detrimental because the salt residue remaining on the skin continues to draw moisture away through osmosis, prolonging the drying effect, and allows potential irritants like sea lice toxins more time to exert their influence. Crucially, the rinsing water should be lukewarm rather than hot. Exposure to very hot water can exacerbate the situation by increasing redness and causing further drying and irritation, especially on skin that has already been stressed by the osmotic dehydration of the seawater.
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