Tag

Hygiene

All articles tagged with #hygiene

Bidets gain medical nod to ease cyclosporiasis symptoms amid U.S. outbreak
health26 days ago

Bidets gain medical nod to ease cyclosporiasis symptoms amid U.S. outbreak

Amid a cyclosporiasis outbreak spanning 45 states, doctors say antibiotics are needed for treatment, but using a bidet can help reduce skin irritation and lower the risk of fecal-oral transmission during frequent bathroom trips. Bidets offer gentler, continuous cleaning and are a comfort measure rather than a infection-prevention tool; proper handwashing, surface disinfection, and staying home while infectious remain essential. Additional home care tips include barrier creams, lukewarm water and pat-drying, and fragrance- and alcohol-free wipes if a bidet isn’t available.

Rainy-season UTIs: how damp weather and dehydration can reach your kidneys
health1 month ago

Rainy-season UTIs: how damp weather and dehydration can reach your kidneys

Monsoon humidity, damp clothing, dehydration and delayed urination create conditions for bacteria to thrive, increasing the risk of urinary tract infections. If UTIs are not treated promptly, bacteria can ascend to the kidneys, causing pyelonephritis. Watch for symptoms such as painful urination, frequent urge, cloudy or foul-smelling urine, fever, and back or side pain. People with diabetes or hypertension are at higher risk, and self-medication should be avoided; seek medical care for persistent symptoms. Prevention tips include drinking adequate water, changing out of wet clothes, not holding urine for long periods, maintaining hygiene, eating fresh foods, and scheduling routine kidney checkups.

Bidet Basics: a gastroenterologist’s practical guide to cleaner, healthier bathrooms
health1 month ago

Bidet Basics: a gastroenterologist’s practical guide to cleaner, healthier bathrooms

A gastroenterologist answers common bidet questions, explaining that bidets reduce hand microbes versus wiping, prevent splashback with properly aimed nozzles, and are easy to use whether seated or standing. They come in handheld attachments or seat-integrated models, can offer warm water and heated seats, and are typically installed DIY or by a plumber. Beyond comfort, bidets may benefit people with hemorrhoids, IBS, or postpartum recovery, and they’re environmentally friendlier due to reduced toilet paper use.

Five Everyday Habits That May Spread Germs, Warned by an Infectious-Disease Doctor
health2 months ago

Five Everyday Habits That May Spread Germs, Warned by an Infectious-Disease Doctor

An infectious-disease physician highlights five common behaviors that can spread germs—improper handwashing before handling food, sneezing into hands instead of the elbow, overusing alcohol-based sanitizer, shaking hands in hospital settings, and wearing masks on the chin—and offers practical fixes: wash hands for at least 10 seconds with soap and water and dry thoroughly, sneeze into the elbow, avoid over-sanitizing, opt for elbow taps in healthcare, and keep masks properly worn to protect others.

Summer Norovirus Rise: How to Stay Safe at Gatherings
health2 months ago

Summer Norovirus Rise: How to Stay Safe at Gatherings

Norovirus cases are rising this summer, likely tied to more gatherings, with symptoms that can include sudden vomiting and diarrhea lasting up to a few days and risking dehydration. There’s no specific cure; treatment focuses on staying hydrated and, if dehydration is severe, getting IV fluids. Prevention hinges on thorough handwashing (at least 20 seconds with soap), avoiding contact with the sick, and cleaning contaminated surfaces and foods, since hand sanitizers don’t kill norovirus. Experts say the uptick is not unusual and should be monitored, not panicked about, as summer usually brings a slight decline after spikes.

The Great Hygiene Rift: Millennials Push for Modern Cleanliness, Boomers Cling to Simpler Routines
health2 months ago

The Great Hygiene Rift: Millennials Push for Modern Cleanliness, Boomers Cling to Simpler Routines

A feature on the generational hygiene divide argues that millennials see boomer routines as outdated, citing surveys and experts on differences in showering, handwashing, fridge hygiene, and grooming. It notes Talker Research (via Newsweek) findings that boomers are less likely to shower daily, a MarketWatch/Merry Maids look showing millennials clean more often, and concerns about cross-contamination from kitchen practices, along with debates over bar soap, daily hair washing, and washcloths/loofahs. Experts attribute part of the gap to cultural shifts and social media influence, framing hygiene as an evolving norm rather than a fixed standard.

Summer Heat Sparks a Hidden Food Poisoning Surge, Experts Say
health2 months ago

Summer Heat Sparks a Hidden Food Poisoning Surge, Experts Say

Heat speeds bacterial growth and outdoor eating can raise the risk of foodborne illness. Doctors say common culprits like E. coli, Salmonella, and Campylobacter thrive in warm weather and in foods such as leafy greens, unpasteurized dairy, undercooked meats, and deli products. The rise in outdoor activities and lapses in food safety contribute to more cases, with symptoms like nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and diarrhea appearing roughly 2–96 hours after exposure (parasitic infections can take longer). Most people recover on their own, but call a doctor for severe dehydration, high fever, bloody stools, or if you can’t keep fluids down. Prevention centers on thorough handwashing, proper food handling and storage, cooking foods to safe temperatures, keeping perishables chilled, and reporting suspected outbreaks to local health authorities.

Foot-kiss fallout: Benny Blanco clears the air on hygiene after Selena Gomez moment
showbiz5 months ago

Foot-kiss fallout: Benny Blanco clears the air on hygiene after Selena Gomez moment

Benny Blanco addressed online backlash after Selena Gomez kissed his dirty foot on the debut episode of his podcast Friends Keep Secrets, clarifying that he showers daily—often twice—and joking about his scent as he spoke with Ed Sheeran on the latest episode. The couple—who became engaged in 2024 and married in 2025—have previously drawn attention for public displays of affection, but the foot-kiss sparked mixed reactions online.

Benny Blanco Responds to Hygiene Rumors After Dirty-Feet Video
entertainment5 months ago

Benny Blanco Responds to Hygiene Rumors After Dirty-Feet Video

Benny Blanco addressed online chatter that he smells bad after a clip showing his dirty feet, insisting he doesn’t stink even if he doesn’t shower; Ed Sheeran defended him on his Friends Keep Secrets podcast, and Benny jokingly cited a facility as the reason for the dirty feet seen on camera. Selena Gomez’s affectionate support is also highlighted, and the piece notes a broader look at celebrities’ varying bathing habits.