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this popular body care tool is full of germs
unless you are in love with your loofah, a body scrub may be a better choice.
may 21 2020
2 minute read
loofahs are a breeding ground for bacteria. stock/getty
we share a lot of things in our homes with our family members, but there are some things that aren’t meant to be shared. loofahs, the spongy scrubbers we use in the shower to wash our bodies and exfoliate dead skin, are one of the few things that you may want to rethink sharing with other family members.
contrary to what you might think, having a loofah can become a breeding ground for bacteria . studies have also shown how loofahs can become the home to several different kinds of germs. one 2016 study published in the journal of clinical microbiology found that these little scrubbers are home to different kinds of bacteria, giving them an environment to thrive in.
“these sponges have gained immense popularity as exfoliative beauty aids designed to invigorate the human skin,” the study’s writers wrote. “as a natural product, however, loofah sponges play host to a variety of bacterial species.”
sharing it is unsanitary, as loofahs can also store bacterias like pseudomonas aeruginosa , which according to the cdc, is a bacterium that can cause disease in animals. just the nature of a loofah makes it a breeding ground for all sorts of germs.
“it stays in the shower, a warm, wet environment which can be a breeding ground for bacteria and mold and mildew,” debra brooks, md, from northwell health-gohealth urgent care t old the healthy. even if washed, there’s still a chance that germs are inside the little indents and holes.
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sharing a loofah can also put other people at risk for catching something. people who are carriers of mrsa, a superbug that can cause several difficult-to-treat infections, could spread that through their loofah. brooks adds that people who are diabetic or immunocompromised could be at a higher risk for developing an infection. this is because loofahs can cause microscopic abrasions as it removes dead skin, leaving an entry point open for germs to get into the body.
if you like the exfoliation that comes with a loofah, the healthy recommends using a body scrub instead to help remove dead skin. however if you’re still loving your loofah, here are some tips from penn medicine to help you keep it sanitary as possible:
- replace your natural loofah every three weeks. if you have a plastic loofah, replace it every two months
- throw your loofah out if it smells or looks moldy
- never leave it in the shower. this makes it take longer to dry and lets mold and bacteria grow
- rinse it off after every use
jordan heuvelmans is a freelance journalist with healthing.ca. you can follow her on twitter at @jordanheuvelm
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