# Being underwater/wet for long periods of time

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-underwater-wet-for-long-periods-of-time/416436>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [August 21, 2007, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-underwater-wet-for-long-periods-of-time/416436 "2007-08-21T23:27:41Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\
**Post date:** [August 24, 2007, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-underwater-wet-for-long-periods-of-time/416436/21 "2007-08-24T00:06:21Z")

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[QUOTE=essell]  
Might the soap content of your bath change the way the water effected your skin? What with Oils and such being a factor in water proofing your skin.  
[/QUOTE]

It certainly could be although I don’t recall the water being soapy at all but you are right in that even a little might make a big difference. I know that I have been in pools, lakes, and the ocean for similar periods of time without the same problem. As a matter of fact, most of us have experienced finger shriveling after only an hour or so in a soapy tub so that might be the key. My experience was like that x10. Maybe it was the soap.

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