Brace yourselves—we’re about to take a trip into the icky, the yucky, and the downright disgusting. These are the habits that make us cringe, but many of us are still guilty of them. But you know what’s worse? These gross habits aren’t just socially unacceptable, they could be seriously messing with your health.
1. Holding in a sneeze
When you feel a sneeze coming on in public, you wanna hold it in (especially after COVID-19). But this polite gesture could actually be dangerous. When you sneeze, air and particles exit your nose and mouth at speeds of up to 100 miles per hour. When you hold it in, that pressure has to go somewhere. In rare cases, holding in a sneeze can lead to ruptured blood vessels in your eyes, nose, or eardrums. There have even been cases of people fracturing throat cartilage or experiencing small brain aneurysms from suppressing sneezes. Sneeze into a tissue or the crook of your elbow—it’s better to be a little loud or get gross looks than to risk injury!
2. Using Q-tips to clean your ears
Despite what you might think, ear wax is actually good for you. It helps protect your ear canal from dust, debris, and bacteria. When you stick a Q-tip in there, you’re potentially pushing the wax deeper into your ear, where it can cause blockages and even hearing problems. Worse, you could accidentally puncture your eardrum, leading to pain, hearing loss, and an increased risk of ear infections. Ouch! Your ears are self-cleaning, so in most cases, you don’t need to do anything. If you feel like you have excess wax, talk to your doctor.
3. Peeing in the pool
You’ve probably done this at least once. But here’s why you should never do it again: When urine mixes with the chlorine in pool water, it creates compounds called chloramines. These not only irritate your eyes and skin but can also cause respiratory problems. Plus, urine is sterile when it leaves your body, but it becomes a breeding ground for bacteria once it’s out. This means you’re essentially creating a bacterial soup in the pool. Not exactly the refreshing swim you were hoping for, right?
4. Not cleaning your reusable water bottle
Reusable water bottles are great for the environment, but not so great if you’re not cleaning them regularly. The moist environment inside your bottle is ripe for bacterial growth, especially around the mouthpiece. Over time, this can lead to a buildup of mold and bacteria that can make you sick. Some studies have found water bottles with more bacteria than a dog’s chew toy. Ew! Clean your water bottle daily with hot, soapy water, paying special attention to the mouthpiece.
5. Touching your face constantly
We touch our faces way more often than we realize—an average of 16 times per hour, according to some studies. This might seem harmless, but remember all the things your hands touch throughout the day. When you touch your face, you’re transferring all those germs to your eyes, nose, and mouth. This can increase your risk of infections, colds, flu, and even more serious conditions like meningitis. Keep your hands busy with a stress ball or fidget toy if you need to.
6. Leaving your toothbrush out in the bathroom
Your toothbrush’s job is to clean your mouth, but it might be doing the opposite if you’re not storing it properly. When you flush the toilet with the lid up, it creates an aerosol effect, spraying tiny particles of toilet water into the air—and onto your exposed toothbrush. Gross, right? This “toilet plume” can contain harmful bacteria and viruses, which can then end up in your mouth the next time you brush. Plus, a moist toothbrush left in the open air is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and mold. Store your toothbrush in a closed cabinet or use a toothbrush cover.
7. Popping pimples
We’ve all had a zit that’s just begging to be popped. But resist the urge! When you pop a pimple, you’re creating an open wound on your face, which can lead to scarring and even more breakouts. Worse, the pressure from popping can force bacteria deeper into your skin, causing inflammation and potentially spreading the infection. In rare cases, this can even lead to a serious condition called cellulitis.
8. Biting your nails
Think about it: your nails are like little shelves for dirt, bacteria, and who knows what else. When you bite them, you’re transferring all that gunk straight into your mouth. But it doesn’t stop there. Chronic nail-biting can damage your teeth and gums, and even lead to nail infections. In bad cases, it can deform your fingertips and cause scarring around your nails.
9. Sharing makeup
Sharing makeup might seem harmless, but it’s actually a great way to share infections. Every time you use makeup, you’re transferring bacteria from your skin onto the product. When you share, you’re swapping all those germs with your friends. This can lead to nasty eye infections like conjunctivitis (pink eye), skin infections, and even cold sores. Mascara and lipstick are particularly risky items to share. The solution? Keep your makeup to yourself, and replace it regularly.
10. Sleeping in your makeup
Speaking of makeup…after a long night out, it’s tempting to just crash in bed without washing your face. But this habit can do more than just clog your pores and cause breakouts. Sleeping in makeup can lead to eye irritation and even infections. Mascara and eyeliner can flake off into your eyes while you sleep, potentially scratching your cornea. Plus, the bacteria that builds up on your unwashed face overnight can lead to skin infections.
11. Not cleaning your phone
Your phone some pretty gross places. Studies have found that the average cell phone has more bacteria than a toilet seat. Yep, you read that right. When you press that germ-infested device against your face to make a call, you’re basically giving bacteria an express route to your mouth, nose, and eyes. This can lead to skin breakouts, eye infections, and even flu-like symptoms.
12. Wearing shoes in the house
This might not seem gross at first but think about everywhere your shoes have been. Sidewalks, public restrooms, who knows what else? When you wear them in the house, you’re tracking all that nastiness onto your floors. Studies have found that shoes can carry bacteria like E. coli, which can survive on your floors for weeks. If you have young children who play on the floor, this is especially concerning.
13. Double dipping
We’ve all been tempted to go for that second dip in the salsa, but stop right there! When you take a bite and then dip again, you’re introducing your mouth bacteria to the entire bowl. It’s like giving everyone at the party an indirect kiss. If someone at the party is sick, this is a great way to spread those germs around. The solution is simple: Take what you need in one go, or use a spoon to put some dip on your plate.
14. Not changing your sheets regularly
Every night, you shed skin cells, sweat, and oils onto your sheets. This creates a perfect breeding ground for dust mites, which can trigger allergies and asthma. But it gets worse. If you go to bed without showering, you’re adding the day’s accumulated dirt and bacteria to the mix. Over time, your sheets can accumulate fungi, mold, and potentially harmful bacteria. Aim to wash your sheets once a week.
15. Not flossing
Okay, we all know we should floss, but many of us skip this crucial step. Here’s why that’s a big mistake: When you don’t floss, food particles get trapped between your teeth, creating a feast for bacteria. This leads to plaque buildup, bad breath, and eventually gum disease. But it doesn’t stop in your mouth. The bacteria from gum disease can enter your bloodstream, potentially leading to heart disease, diabetes complications, and even problems during pregnancy.
16. Using public pens
Think about how many hands have touched that pen at the bank or doctor’s office. Now think about where those hands have been. Yeah, not pretty. Public pens are basically germ sticks, often harboring viruses that can cause colds and flu. When you use these pens and then touch your face or eat something, you’re giving those germs a free ride into your system. This is especially risky during cold and flu season.
17. Picking your nose
When you stick your finger up your nose, you’re introducing even more germs to the at-capacity-bacteria-bash. Nose-picking can lead to small tears in your nasal passages, which can allow harmful bacteria to enter your bloodstream. In extreme cases, this can even lead to a condition called cerebral abscess. Yeah, that’s an abscess in your brain. Not worth it for a little nose gold, right?
18. Not washing your hands after using the bathroom
Your hands come into contact with all sorts of bacteria in the bathroom, especially after, well, doing your business. We’re talking about spreading E. coli, salmonella, and a host of other nasty bacteria that can cause everything from mild stomach upset to serious infections. And let’s not forget about viruses like hepatitis A and norovirus, which love to hitch a ride on unwashed hands.
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