You can’t even imagine the amount of bacteria in your underwear you could be harboring right now! Find out what they cause and what you can do.
Do you really wash your panties the right way? Brazilian research, carried out by Faculdade Devry Metrocamp, in Campinas, showed that simple washing does not get rid of bacteria on panties, especially those that cause problems such as itching, irritation and even urinary infections.
According to the study, 52 pieces, including panties, bras and underwear were analyzed. Of these, 27 were purchased in shopping mall stores and 25 had already been used and had been recently washed.
According to the researchers, it was possible to record the growth of bacteria in 85% of the pieces purchased for the research immediately after washing and 29% of them also showed fungal contamination.
Regarding lingerie that had already been used and washed, the result was more serious. In approximately 92% of the cases examined, bacteria were recorded. The worst of all is that these samples contained contamination from at least 10,000 microorganisms.
What can bacteria on panties do?
According to the research leader, Rosana Siqueira, these bacteria in panties, bras and underwear are of the opportunistic type. In healthy people they don’t cause much damage, just reflecting as itching or discharge.
The problem is in people who have recently had surgery on their intimate areas or who have low immunity. The specialist explained that in these cases, the presence of infectious agents can be dangerous, and can even lead to urinary infections.
Among the 10,000 possible bacteria on panties, some classic examples have been identified. A good example was Candida albincans, the fungus responsible for candidiasis. Staphylococcus aureus was also present in most of the samples and is a bacteria linked to dermatological complications, such as boils and abscesses, which consist of an accumulation of pus.
Now, in bras and other intimate pieces, the most worrying microorganisms found in the samples was the E.Coli bacteria. For those who don’t know, it is usually found in the anus and can cause irritation, mycoses and blemishes.
How to clean lingerie correctly
If you are wondering what the best way to clean your underwear is to get rid of bacteria on your panties, the researchers guarantee that the care is very simple.
The first tip is to avoid washing your intimate parts with shampoos and conditioners. It is best to opt for neutral soaps, coconut soap and specific products for washing lingerie. Using hot water when washing also helps to keep these infectious agents away.
You should also not leave panties and other underwear in the laundry basket for a long time, as this is a stuffy place, perfect for microorganisms to proliferate.
And, if you usually leave panties drying in the bathroom stall, stop right now! The correct thing to do is to let the underwear dry on a clothesline, preferably with the bottom lining facing inwards. This allows the lingerie to remain airy and keeps out unwanted microorganisms.
Another valuable tip is to iron your hair before using it. The heat helps kill bacteria on the panties, especially the bottom, which is in direct contact with the intimate organs.
Finally, panties with a strange smell, stains and holes should be discarded for the sake of your health. The ideal is to change all your lingerie every 6 months and, of course, keep the drawer where they are stored always free of dust and humidity.
So, did you imagine that there could be so many bacteria on your panties? Have you ever had any problems with your intimate health because of lingerie? Be sure to tell us everything in the comments!
And, speaking of cleaning things correctly, you need to read this other post urgently: Find out when to wash 8 everyday utensils.
Source: Boa Forma
