Carlos Solis
It happens all the time: you forget your toothbrush or grab a towel — but some bathroom items you should never share. Germs on towels, razors, and toothbrushes can stay active for a long time.
Many harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungi live on fabric, plastic, and metal surfaces. These pathogens can survive for extended periods and cause infections that last days, months, or even years, says Tea van de Mortel, an honorary professor of nursing at Griffith University in Australia.
So, what are the risks associated with using someone else’s towels, razors, and toothbrushes? Professor Mortel says numerous studies provide answers to that question.
Is it okay to share towels?
If you play soccer, the answer is no.
A report from the New York City Department of Health and Hygiene described an outbreak caused by antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (Staph) on a school soccer team. Players who shared a towel contracted the infection eight times more often, according to Science Alert.
Staph can cause skin conditions like impetigo. In some cases, it can lead to life-threatening septic shock and organ failure.
Biologists from the University of Chicago and the University of Washington monitored 150 families, each with one child infected with Staph, over the course of a year. When family members used shared towels, the risk of Staph transmission significantly increased.
Some people assume germs can be easily washed away in the wash. In reality, while soap and water reduce the number of microorganisms on the skin, they do not eliminate them entirely. The warm, humid environment of a bathroom also helps those microbes survive. Even if you don’t develop an infection, colonization of your skin by pathogens can cause problems.
For instance, you may be exposed to antibiotic-resistant strains, which could increase the risk of infections that require extensive treatment in the future.
What about toothbrushes?
Germs can remain viable on toothbrushes for a long time, warns Professor Mortel.
Gum disease often causes bleeding gums. Because toothbrushes can come into contact with blood, never share them — they can transmit viruses like hepatitis C.
Any item that has touched saliva can also transmit pathogens. This includes herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), which causes cold sores, and Epstein-Barr virus, which causes mononucleosis.
Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University found that participants’ toothbrushes were contaminated with potentially pathogenic bacteria such as Staph, E. coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. They also detected HSV-1 on brushes at levels sufficient to cause infection.
And finally, what about razors?
When you use a razor, cuts are hard to avoid. Sharing a razor can transmit viruses through blood. Razors can also spread human papillomavirus (HPV), similar to towels and other personal hygiene items, Professor Mortel explained.
That’s why dermatologists recommend that everyone keep their own personal hygiene items and never share them.
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