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The Six Dirtiest Habits in a Woman's Life
Brushing your teeth before bed is more important than in the morning, as it not only clears oral buildup but also helps protect your teeth and promotes sound sleep. Microbiologist Dr. Charles Gerba points out that after being worn for a day, underwear can retain about 0.1 grams of feces. One gram of feces contains 10 million viruses, 1 million bacteria, 1,000 parasite cysts, and 100 worm eggs. 2. Do not mix underwear with other clothes when washing to prevent bacterial cross-infection.
1. Not brushing teeth before bed
Brushing your teeth before bed is more important than in the morning, as it not only clears oral buildup but also helps protect your teeth and promotes sound sleep.
43% of women admit they occasionally forget to brush their teeth before bed. Experts remind us that during sleep, saliva secretion decreases significantly, and this saliva is the main force for killing bacteria. Therefore, skipping one brushing session can allow oral bacteria to take advantage, greatly increasing the risk of cavities and periodontal disease. Furthermore, many studies have confirmed that bacteria that cause periodontal disease can also lead to heart problems.
2. Bathing with just water
A warm bath (35°C-45°C) before bed can relax your muscles and joints, improve blood circulation, and help you fall asleep peacefully. Surveys show that nearly 1/3 of women don't use shower gel every day; they just rinse with water. Experts suggest whether to use shower gel depends on your sweating situation. The bacteria that cause body odor feed on sweat, especially from the armpits and groin. When you sweat a lot, rinsing with water alone won't get you clean, leading to bacteria buildup. The longer they stay, the "stinkier" you become.
3. Not washing hands with soap after using the toilet
Even children know to wash hands before meals and after using the toilet, but are you really washing them thoroughly? Surveys show that only 38% of people use soap to wash their hands after using the toilet, and only 2% wash for more than 10 seconds. Experts state that when you wipe after using the toilet, your hands are very close to a source of E. coli, which can cause bacterial infection. Without soap, it's impossible to completely remove the bacteria. Therefore, be sure to use soap or hand sanitizer after using the toilet, and rinse thoroughly with clean water.
4. Not changing underwear every day
Women's underwear should be washed and changed frequently, but surveys show that 52% of women do not change their underwear daily. Microbiologist Dr. Charles Gerba points out that after being worn for a day, underwear can retain about 0.1 grams of feces. One gram of feces contains 10 million viruses, 1 million bacteria, 1,000 parasite cysts, and 100 worm eggs. These bacteria can get on your hands, and if you touch your eyes or eat something without washing them, you can get sick.
Tips for Washing Underwear
1. Use special detergents, such as soap with a disinfectant effect.
2. Do not mix underwear with other clothes when washing to prevent bacterial cross-infection.
3. Use a dedicated basin, and regularly scald it with boiling water to kill germs. Do not share laundry basins among family members.
4. For washed underwear, do not expose it directly to the sun. It should first be air-dried in a cool, shaded place, then placed in the sun for disinfection. Otherwise, the underwear can easily become hard and misshapen.
5. Picking up food from the floor to eat
Over 40% of women say they eat food that has just fallen on the floor and been picked up. There used to be a "5-second rule," suggesting that food is safe to eat if picked up within five seconds of falling on the floor. Researchers point out that this rule is extremely misleading. Experiments have shown that food is contaminated by bacteria just two or three seconds after hitting the floor. Therefore, all food that falls on the floor should be thrown into the trash immediately. Young mothers should pay special attention to this when teaching their children and set a good example, as children are great at imitating.
6. Exercising barefoot
Surveys found that 32% of people exercise barefoot, especially when doing aerobics or belly dancing. Experts recommend wearing light shoes during exercise. This is because your feet sweat a lot during exercise, and a moist environment is ideal for bacterial growth. These bacteria, left on the floor by others' feet, can lead to infections like athlete's foot (tinea pedis) or plantar warts when you step on them.