A bacterial strain is seen in a bacterial culture at a microbiology lab in Berlin. (Photo : REUTERS/FABRIZIO BENSCH)
Doctors have warned against wearing hair bands on writsts, as they believe the material used to produce hair ties can be potential breeding grounds for bacteria, leading to serious health and skin issues.
The warning came after a woman underwent surgery on her arm to treat a life threatening bacterial infection which doctors believe entered her blood stream through a hair tie she wore on her wrist. Louisville resident Audree Kopp urged women to take note and be careful of hair ties worn even temporarily around the wrist.
Doctors who treated Kopp believe a glittery hair band which she wore on her wrist is what bruised her skin and was responsible for introducing a bacteria into her body through the broken skin, the Daily Mail reported.
Kopp while moving house, first noticed that something was wrong when a reddish bump appeared on her wrist. Assuming it was an insect bite she ignored the signs at first but became concerned when the lump increased in size and became painful, the publication reported.
A doctor at Norton Healthcare, Dr. Amit Gupta described Kopp's health condition to news channel CBS Philly saying, "She had a large abscess on the back of her wrist."
Dr. Gupta said bacteria from Kopp's hair accessory got under her skin, through her pores and hair follicles, causing the spread of the infection.
After visiting doctors who initially prescribed antibiotics which failed to reduce the inflammation and pain, Kopp was rushed to emergency surgery.
Doctors discovered that Kopp's arm had been infected by three strains of bacteria, and she was very close to contracting blood poisoning - a condition which can be life threatening if treatment is delayed.
While Kopp's condition has been a rare case of infection caused by a hair tie, Dr. Gupta has cautioned other users of hair bands saying, "you can't tie all those hair-ties around the wrist. It can cause problems with the skin. It can cause infection."
Dr Gupta also pointed out that users should not wear hair bands especially those that are too tight around the wrist as it can constrict blood flow.
In addition, doctors have urged that bands be washed often as possible as the material used to make the bands can be potential breeding grounds for bacteria which enter the body through the pores of the skin.
