Is it okay to take a bath after an exercise?

I was worried that I might damage my body of some sort if I keep on taking a bath after exercise/playing basketball/doing any sweat producing activity. I asked our company nurse (twice) and she told me its OK as long as I wait for 30 mins after exercise. I asked my sister and she said it's OK as long as I wait for 10 mins after exercise. I've thought of asking a doctor and figured I just surf and see if somebody have same delima. I google-searched and found Q and A with Tina Juan ( a renowned fitness trainer). She quite famous in the Philippines and is hosting a fitness portion of a morning show in a local channel. So here is her answer:

Is it okay to take a bath after an exercise? If I take a bath, will I not have varicose veins?
Yes, it is all right to take a bath after exercise. I am assuming of course that you will go through a proper cool-down period so you are not taking a bath with your heart beating wildly. Warm or cool water is fine. According to phlebologists (doctors who specialize in veins), there is no connection between taking a bath and varicose veins. The tendency to develop varicose veins is one that you inherit.

Taking a bath after exercise
This particular one seems to be a homegrown myth. I have yet to meet a Westerner concerned about how long they should wait before taking a bath after exercise because of 'pasma'. It could be an Asian belief but the Asian fitness professionals I have spoken to haven't encountered this 'problem' with their clients. How can this belief get in the way of fitness success? Easy. By becoming the reason why some people don't exercise. It goes something like this: "I can't exercise because I have to take a bath right after to make it to the office on time". If you cool down properly after exercise, meaning your heart rate and breathing rate return to normal and you spend about five minutes stretching (in other words, relaxing), there should be no reason why you cannot hop under a shower.


http://www.tinajuanfitness.info/