Bath towels can turn the whole feeling of cleanliness into a health problem. This is because, according to the general practitioner at Hospital Edmundo Vasconcelos, Ligia Raquel de Brito, these pieces of fabric are favorable environments for the proliferation of fungi and bacteria when not properly cleaned.
“The towel brings together two important elements for this scenario: moisture and organic matter, in the form of flaking skin and hair, for example. This union favors the proliferation of microorganisms, such as mites, and poses a risk when the garment is used while still damp and without proper washing,” explains the doctor.
The warning given by the specialist refers to the possibility of contact between the towel and the skin causing allergies, such as lesions in people who already suffer from atopic dermatitis, for example. To avoid this problem, it is necessary to pay attention to the frequency of washing and drying towels completely before use.
“You have to wash it every two days at least, ideally one day on and another day off, always with soap and plenty of water. Remembering never to use a damp towel, so if it doesn’t dry between one bath and another, choose another one”, emphasizes Ligia. “Another important tip is not to leave the towel drying in the box, prefer ventilated places”, she reinforces.
The possibility of transmitting microorganisms, and even the HPV virus, also exists when towels are shared. According to the doctor, this practice should never occur because it opens loopholes for serious health consequences.
“Each member of the family should have their own towel. Sharing this item can lead to the transmission of diseases such as HPV – as the virus remains active in the tissue -, skin infections and scabies, better known as scabies”, he concludes.
Bath towels can turn the whole feeling of cleanliness into a health problem. This is because, according to the general practitioner at Hospital Edmundo Vasconcelos, Ligia Raquel de Brito, these pieces of fabric are favorable environments for the proliferation of fungi and bacteria when not properly cleaned.
“The towel brings together two important elements for this scenario: moisture and organic matter, in the form of flaking skin and hair, for example. This union favors the proliferation of microorganisms, such as mites, and poses a risk when the garment is used while still damp and without proper washing,” explains the doctor.
The warning given by the specialist refers to the possibility of contact between the towel and the skin causing allergies, such as lesions in people who already suffer from atopic dermatitis, for example. To avoid this problem, it is necessary to pay attention to the frequency of washing and drying towels completely before use.
“You have to wash it every two days at least, ideally one day on and another day off, always with soap and plenty of water. Remembering never to use a damp towel, so if it doesn’t dry between one bath and another, choose another one”, emphasizes Ligia. “Another important tip is not to leave the towel drying in the box, prefer ventilated places”, she reinforces.
The possibility of transmitting microorganisms, and even the HPV virus, also exists when towels are shared. According to the doctor, this practice should never occur because it opens loopholes for serious health consequences.
“Each member of the family should have their own towel. Sharing this item can lead to the transmission of diseases such as HPV – as the virus remains active in the tissue -, skin infections and scabies, better known as scabies”, he concludes.
