Diversity Rules Magazine

20| Diversity Rules Magazine |Aug 2023 Tony Guadagnino is a marke ng consul- tant. Located in New Jersey, his clients are based across the country, focus- ing on social media to build their pres- ence on the internet. He studied crea ve wri ng in college and is currently work- ing his first novel on the subject of bullying. He lives with his partner Mark. SKINNY DIPPING! Does that get your a en on? You know it does. I'd like o ask a controversial ques on: do you swim naked? Now, I understand there is some hesita on to this ques on, and it can be more difficult to fulfill the fantasy of swimming without a proper suit. A er all, most public pools are not clothes-free. You need to find a private backyard pool, a clothing-op onal beach, a secluded swimming hole, a nude beach (or at least a clothing op onal one), or an all-natural campground to expose your fanny to the sun. Yet if you're determined, you'll succeed. And as honest adults, I am sure that every person in this world, at some me or another, has stripped to their birthday suit to swim at some point in their lives. If the curiosity didn't get you to experiment, then it was excitement, or the "dare," of being caught that did. And some people are just nudists who prefer to wear nothing. It's ok if you are (don't let the conser- va ves let you label you as "weird" or "perverted.") But are there benefits to disrobing to take the plunge? I did some research on this topic, and yes, there are benefits. I don't think I need to discuss the sexual aspect of it; like sleeping naked, some endorphins are ignited when the body is exposed and s mulated by other outside objects (in this case, it's water). But how about that soaking wet bathing suit that you wear for hours? Is it safe to wear it for so long? Be- lieve it or not, the answer is no. It is not safe. Lying out in a wet bathing suit can be poten ally harmful, as it provides a perfect situa on for fungus to devel- op. Fungal infec ons are the leading problem with wear- ing a wet bathing suit. Men have the poten al of de- veloping nea cruris, be er known as jock itch. This fungus occurs when men are wearing ght-fi ng clothes and moisture is trapped in the area. It usually occurs around the groin and inner thigh area. Signs of jock itch include dryness, flaking, redness, itchi- ness, and some mes, a ring-shaped rash will appear. Treatment is easy with an -fungal medica ons that anyone can buy at any drugstore; a prescrip on is not necessary. However, if it ensues, a visit to the doctor is recommended, to make sure a secondary infec on does not show up. And women are in danger, too, as they can develop candidiasis or a yeast infec on. This occurs when the body's natural yeast and bacteria become unbal- anced. Early symptoms include itching, irrita on, and abnormal discharge; severe infec ons can cause swelling and burning while urina ng. Similarly to jock itch, over-the-counter medica on will cure it, but it's best to see a healthcare provider first. Chafing is another problem that can happen. A wet bath- ing suit will tend to rub up on your body, causing irrita on. Chafing may be a minor skin problem, but it can lead to in- fec on, as chafing damages the hair follicles on your body, making them prone to infec on. If you are going to the beach or a pool, and you prefer to cover up, doctors recommend bringing extra towels and a bathing suit, one to wear for swimming and one to wear for sunbathing (use the towel trick to change your clothes). Or, if you want to drop trou for your sun excursions, and there are no backyard pools to visit, here's a link to the Twelve Best Nudist Beaches in the United States: h ps:// www.hotels.com/go/usa/best-nudist-beaches-us Have some fun in the sun; be bold; be daring; be na- ked! Skinny Dipping By Tony Guadagnino

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