Aug 4, 2008 8:31 pm US/Eastern
Bathroom Germs: Where Are They Hiding?
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
It's something most people don't even consider when they step into the shower every day, but could your shower be making you sick?
If you keep loofas, scrub brushes, or lots of products in your shower, you have all the ingredients necessary for a serious infection.
You can clean the whole area with bleach, but there are materials in the shower such as the wash cloth, the loofas, and they are porous. Little things can get into the crevices of these materials and then grow and multiply there.
It's not just porous materials. Plastic shower curtains are one of the worst culprits for mold, mildew and organisms.
Even cleansing products like your body wash can cause a problem if you don't throw them away every six months.
What about your razor? Dr. Ebaji says no worries there.
"Luckily razors are fine, but the problem comes if you then develop an infection and then you start to shave over that. You can then spread that bacteria, or that yeast or fungus, across that fungus."
Even towels and bathmats can be breeding grounds for bacteria. When they come in contact with your skin, you can be at risk for developing a nasty rash.
If you start to get itchy red bumps, that could be bacteria or yeast.
Some of these infections can take weeks, even months, to clear up, and may require prescription medications.
"My recommendation usually is not to use loofas," Dr. Obaji says. "Not to use washcloths more than once. Any kind of lotions body washes that we open, we should try to use within six months."
Also, clean your entire bathroom with an anti-bacterial product and don't leave anything wet lying around. As for your shower curtain, Dr. Obaji recommends replacing it regularly.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
Comments