Microbiologists and infectious disease specialists confirmed that people may be swathing themselves with an "invisible cloud" of disease-causing microbes every time they flush the toilet as germs are lurking in beauty stash and toothbrushes.
People may become ill from the toilet plume that is hurled into the air through the force exerted when flushing the toilet. Marc Leavey, M.D., of Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore stated that the culprit that can trigger bacterial gastroenteritis is E.coli, a bacteria found in toilet plume, Women's Health reported.
The toilet plume may carry fecal bacteria and other microorganisms that can cause sickness. If people do not put the toilet lids down when they flush, they are hurling germs into the air. The microbes may reach exposed personal care items like toothbrushes in the vanity sink or bathroom shelf.
This finding brings focus to the importance of adding preventive measures to regular routines. Individuals can replace toothbrushes after a few weeks of use, or at least use hot running water for rinsing them.
Besides toothbrushes, common cosmetic items like lipsticks, mascaras, eyeliners and face creams, and make-up brushes may also be magnets for microbes or the "worst offenders," microbiologist Jason Tetro told Glamour.
Practicing good hygiene and throwing away expired beauty products contaminated with microbes, fungi and even fecal matter will help minimize that risk.
The finding sends a compelling message to consumers, which is to be wary of the magnets for microbes, toss away products in the bathroom counter like overused toothbrushes and veer away from beauty products laden with chemicals.