They say that ‘sharing is caring’ is always the best practice to follow, but this is not always entirely true, or safe for that matter. At some point or other, you’ve most likely been in a situation where you’ve felt you had no choice other than to use someone else’s personal care items. Maybe you felt the need to use your friend’s antiperspirant because you had forgotten yours?
Although this situation may sound pretty harmless, sharing certain personal care items like soap bars and deodorant can cause the transfer of germs that can hamper your overall personal hygiene. As much as the sharing of certain items can create a sense of closeness and familiarity, you should abstain from sharing the following items with everyone.
Soap Bars
However vital it is to exercisewashroom and hygiene care practices, it’s equally as important to keep your personal care items limited to your own personal use. This rule should be strictly enforced when it comes to the use of bars of soap. As it has been known to cause infections and reinfections, a bar of soap is one of the most unhygienic items that can be shared. Since soap is generally used to clean intimate areas, it’s important that your soap is not shared with anyone, regardless of how close your relationship is with that person.
Antiperspirants
Antiperspirants are used to effectively decrease the amount of perspiration that your body produces. As effective as they are in doing this, it’s important to know that antiperspirants, particularly the roll-on variety, do not contain germ-killing properties meaning that when more than one person uses the same roll-on deodorant, nasty germs and yeast and fungi infections can be easily passed around.
Razors
It probably goes without saying, but you should never share anything that runs the risk of blood exchange. Since shaving can result in tiny nicks being made in the skin, viruses and bacteria that are left behind on razors can swiftly and easily enter the blood stream. Sharing razors is currently listed as one of the methods that is known to transmit the deadly virus of hepatitis.
Toothbrush
Because infections can be easily transferred through its bristles, sharing your toothbrush with anyone, even your husband or partner, is a definite no-no. All dentists will totally discourage this practice as not only is it a really bad idea from a hygienic standpoint, but it can be detrimental from a medical standpoint too.
Towels
Towel sharing of any kind should be avoided at all costs, even of the towel was just used by someone else after stepping out of the shower. As towels have the ability to absorb and retain moisture, harmful bacteria such as staph infection bacteria can live on a towel for hours, days or in some cases, months. Good practice is to change your towels at least twice a week and never share them with anyone – not even your partner or family members.
Having read all of the above, I think you’ll agree with the statement of “sharing is not always caring” that was outlined in the opening paragraph. So the next time you think it’s ok to share your toothbrush, towel, razor, soap or antiperspirant with your significant other or best friend, think twice about what the health and hygiene implications may be.
