The day -to -day rate often prevents us from attending the details of the house, forgetting in many cases to change when it touches the sheets and towels we use. But … do you really know when and why should we do it?
Changing sheets and towels and maintaining these textiles clean and dry is not only crucial to skin health, but also for general home hygiene and disease prevention.
The doctors Javier García Martínez, head of the Dermatology Service, and Verónica López Couso, aesthetic doctor, both of the Ruber International Medical Center Paseo de la Habana, in Madrid, explain that both the sheets and the towels are surfaces that are in constant contact with the skin, with sweat, with body fat, with the cellular scales or remains of the skin, and with Microorganisms They are part of the cutaneous microbiome.
Therefore, Dr. García Martínez warns that, with daily use, these surfaces become a habitat for various microorganisms, whose prolonged contact can cause irritation, infections, allergies or exacerbate existing skin conditions.
Likewise, Dr. López clarifies: “Bacteria may appear such as Staphylococcus, responsible for skin infections; or Corynebacterium, which can contribute to bad body smell; fungi or molds such as candid dust”.
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Negative effects on skin health
But the thing is not there, specialists say, since poor hygiene of sheets and towels can also have these negative effects on skin health:
• Bacterial and fungal infections: As we have mentioned above, the accumulation of bacteria and fungi in the towels and on the sheets can cause skin infections; People with sensitive skin or conditions such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis or rosacea, may experience worsening of their symptoms due to contact with non -clean textiles.
• allergies and skin sensitivity: dust, mites and accumulated dirt can cause Exacerbations of pathologies Cutaneous especially in atopic people or a history of allergies.
• Acne: Bacteria in towels or on the sheets can be transferred to the skin, especially in areas prone to acne, such as back, face or chest; This can contribute to the appearance of outbreaks, or worsen the existing acne.
• Common infections in parasites such as scabiosis or scabies or lice (pediculosis) are also related to the shared use of sheets and blankets, in addition to narrow contact in cohabiting.
• Skin conditions in prolonged contact with moisture: towels can retain moisture for a long period, creating an environment conducive to the growth of microorganisms such as fungi, especially in areas such as the area of skin folds (English, armpits, etc.).
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How often do you have to change sheets and towels?
With all this, Dr. Javier García Martínez recalls that, ideally, bath towels must be washed after 3 or 4 uses or at most once a week.
“In any case, it is very important to dry the towels well after each use. However, this can vary according to personal use. This is necessary due to the accumulation of moisture mentioned above, and also because the towels come into contact with the sweat, with the dirt of the skin, with body oils, and with dead cells, so that, even after a single use, Many microorganisms can accumulate”, Warns the expert.
On the other hand, the doctor recommends wash the sheets at least once a week; Although it specifies that this depends on the sweating and the secretions of the person, so that, if you sweat a lot at night, or there are secretions such as saliva or body fluids (for example, if you are a person who suffers from acne, rosacea, or excessive sweating), it would be convenient to wash them more frequently.
If you suffer from sensitive skin or skin diseases you should change the sheets more frequently to avoid irritation. In this sense, weekly washing helps reduce the accumulation of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms, minimizing the risk of infections, bad smell and allergic reactions, ”continues Dr. López Couso from the Ruber International Medical Center Paseo de la Habana.
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Do not use the same towel for face and body
Likewise, Dr. García Martínez Alega that it is not advisable what can be transferred to the towel”
Therefore, this doctor always advises to use a separate towel for the face, and another for the body, as “good practice” to avoid the transfer of bacteria and minimize the risk of irritations or infections.
As for the towels of hands, it says that they do require a more frequent change than those of body, since they are exposed to more bacteria due to this frequent contact with their hands, which may have germs, dirt or even food remains; And, therefore, it considers it important to wash them more frequently, ideally, every 2 or 3 days.
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Washing products
On the other hand, about the use of detergents and products for washing when changing sheets and towels, the doctor emphasizes: “Soft and unfumed detergents are preferable, especially for people with atopic skin. Fragrances and aggressive chemicals in detergents can be trapped in textiles and cause irritation or allergies in the skin in people in people previously sensitized to these substances.”
On the other hand, Dr. García Martínez points out that current washing trends at lower temperatures and reducing the use of bleachers in the casting, which undoubtedly benefit the environment, hinder the microbial elimination of clothing, which generates bad odors.
(With EFE information)
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