Don’t bother changing your underwear every day unless you’re a woman, top skin experts tell the Daily Mail

Men don’t always need to change their underwear every day, skin experts tell DailyMail.com.

According to top dermatologists, if sweating is minimal, men are not at greater risk of infections or other health damage if they wait 48 hours before changing their underwear.

However, women unfortunately do not enjoy the same freedoms.

This is because they have a shorter duct connecting the genitals and the back passage, meaning potentially harmful bacteria have a shorter distance to travel.

Dr. Annju Methil, a dermatologist at ClinicSpotstold DailyMail.com: ‘In situations with minimal activity and no sweating, it may be acceptable to alternate every other day.

‘Lower-fitting men’s styles, such as boxers, can also be worn a little longer.’

Men are less likely to get infections, although re-wearing underwear can still cause uncomfortable effects such as itching

Sarah Roberts, a recognized skincare specialist and founder of A beauty edittold DailyMail.com that men and women face similar risks when it comes to wearing the same underwear for more than a few days.

‘Men and women risk skin irritation, rashes or the worsening of pre-existing conditions such as eczema or psoriasis if they re-wear underwear too often without washing it; this is due to friction and trapped moisture,” she said.

However, men and women are usually subject to different consequences.

For example, women have a shorter urethra – the channel through which urine leaves the body – than men, making them more vulnerable to infections.

Dr Archit Aggarwal, a dermatologist at ClinicSpotstold DailyMail.com: ‘The vulva contains folds and crevices that harbor fluid and bacteria more easily than male genitalia.’

Ms Roberts pointed to problems such as yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis.

A vaginal yeast infection causes irritation, discharge and intense itching around the vagina and vulva – the outer part of the vaginal opening. It can be caused by bacteria that form through sweat and other moisture.

With bacterial vaginosis, the natural bacteria levels in the vagina become out of balance, leading to a foul-smelling odor, itching, discharge and a burning sensation during urination.

Women with heavy menstrual cycles or a lot of vaginal discharge may need to change their underwear even more than once a day because of bacteria risk and comfort, Dr. Aggarwal said.

Men, on the other hand, can suffer from jock itch if they don’t change their underwear often enough, Ms. Roberts said.

Jock itch is a fungal infection that leads to an itchy red rash in the crease of the groin, thigh and buttocks.

‘Although men’s boxers touch the skin less often than women’s underwear, they do not escape these dangers – especially if they are worn repeatedly without clothing,’ Ms Roberts said.

Although you can go every other day without having to put on a new pair of panties in a pinch, dermatologists recommend still changing your underwear at least once a day to minimize the risks of infections.

Dr. Hannah Kopelman, a dermatologist at Kopelman Aesthetic in New Jersey, told DailyMail.com, “For those who engage in intense physical activities or who sweat heavily, it is advisable to change underwear more often.”

‘In hot and humid climates, it may be necessary to change underwear even more than once a day to maintain good hygiene.’

“If you experience any discomfort, itching or unusual discharge, change your underwear immediately and consult a doctor if necessary,” said Dr Aggarwal.