We live in a world of gadgets and bacteria.
When the gadgets and bacteria come together, germs spread.
In a society where cellphones go with us everywhere we go — including the restroom — experts say our electronic devices are cesspools for germs and bacteria.
Recent studies by several universities reveal that different types of staphylococcus, streptococcus and other microorganisms were found on a sampling of cellphones. Mashable reports that its study found that a cellphone contained 25,107 bacteria per square inch, compared to only 1,201 bacteria per square inch on a toilet and 8,643 on a doorknob.
“Those studies are true,” said Dr. Sandy Johnson, a dermatologist with Johnson Dermatology. “They say door handles are worse than toilets.”
Johnson said most people don’t think about washing their hands after using a cellphone or before using a cellphone.
“When a cellphone rings, most people pick it up to look at it, even if they don’t answer it,” she said. “They might be cleaning and whatever was on their hands is spread to the phone.”
And then it is spread to their face if they talk on the phone.
Johnson said the clinic where she and her husband, Dr. Brad Johnson, practice dermatology has seen patients who develop staph infections on the side of their cheek where the phone rests. She said for men who shave very closely and then talk on the cellphone, the friction caused by the phone rubbing against the cheek can cause harmful bacteria to enter the skin or even the bloodstream through the hair follicles.
“I bet people don’t clean their cellphones very often,” Johnson added, noting that facial acne can also be caused by bacteria from cellphones. “Especially if they don’t have one of those cell cases.”
Johnson suggests that cellphone users place their phone in a case, so they can safely clean their photo regularly.
“You can clean the cellphone in a case with alcohol pads,” she said. Other experts recommend using antibacterial wipes to wipe down the outer surface of the cellphone every so often. Using headphones will ensure the device stays away from the face and skin.
Johnson also recommends texting as opposed to talking on the cellphone.
“The skin on the hands is thicker than that on the face,” explained Johnson, noting that Healthy Skin Awareness Month in November is the perfect time to remind individuals of these healthy habits. “Historically, people have fewer cuts on their hand than on the face. My advice would be to text more than calling on the cellphone.”
Washing hands regularly can prevent 1 million deaths each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
A cellphone isn’t the only place teeming with germs. Prevention magazine reports the war on germs is being battled inside the home, in places other than the obvious locale — the bathroom.
In the kitchen, the faucet screen serves as a magnet for bacteria with the moisture it maintains. The garbage disposal also harbors harmful bacteria in that rubber drain sleeve, contaminating anything that touches it — including hands, dishes and utensils. Dish towels can hold strains of E. coli and other bacteria — even MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) — while the refrigerator seal can contain mold.
The vacuum cleaner bag can be a hotbed for bacteria growth; Prevention suggests changing bags frequently outdoors. Bagless vacuums occasionally can be cleaned with diluted bleach and air-dried.
Family and friends can track all kinds of bacteria into the home from the welcome mat, another favorite spot for fecal bacteria to hang out.
While food spills are the top spot for bacteria and mold inside the car, the dashboard comes in second because of the sun’s warmth making it prime for bacteria growth.
Outside the home, pay attention to soap dispensers in public restrooms; 25 percent of them are contaminated by fecal bacteria. Restaurant ketchup bottles are also a hot spot for bacteria because of the many hands touching them.