(Mostly Harmless) Bacteria Grow in Your Unwashed Bras
Some guys might be surprised to hear this, but bras are a headache that needs to be washed, and many of us put off work for as long as possible. (I swear we wash everything else.) This is disgusting, but is it bad for you?
Fusion’s Isha Aran sent her bra to a microbiologist to find out. The results, she said, were “at the same time comforting and horrifying”, because it really was full of germs, but they were mostly harmless species that already have on your skin. Here’s what’s going on, according to Michael Schmidt, a microbiologist at the Medical University of South Carolina:
[When] worn daily for several months – the clothes will be stained with the oils of the wearer, which, in turn, will encourage the growth of microbes from the skin, which have transferred to the fabric … If the wearer’s skin is whole and healthy , “New germs / opportunists” should not cause any problems … as long as the owner is good hygiene.
Opportunists are bacteria that usually do not cause problems, but can cause infection if trapped in an open wound, especially if your immune system is not working very well due to another medical condition. Aran’s bra had some of these germs, including coagulase-negative staphylococcus aureus .
Luckily, our friends at Jezebel have a complete guide to washing your bra in case you feel a sudden need. Until then, check out Aran’s article at the link below to learn more about what happens to unwashed bras.
How often do you really need to wash your bra? | Merge
Photo by keri .
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