Wet wipes are prefered by many individuals who think they offer a more thorough clean than regular toilet paper. But are wet wipes bad for you — specifically, for your bum?
These wipes contain nasty toxic chemicals according to a report conducted by Reuters which claims that wet wipes cause rashes in uncomfortable places. According to Well and Good an anal surgeon told the health publication that it’s time to switch over to toilet paper, and stop using wet wipes.
“People think that if they can use a wet wipe on their baby, they can use it on themselves,” says Evan Goldstein, DO, anal surgeon and creator of the Future Method who told the health publication.
While wet wipes may give you the impression that your behind is getting cleaner, they can really lead to a number of issues that you probably don’t want to deal with in the long term. Wet wipes aren’t the ideal choice for the health of your anal region, which is a serious matter in addition to being a significant environmental worry.
Your skin’s microbiome can be harmed by wet wipes
Similar to the skin on your face, your anus and the skin around it are coated in both healthy and bad bacteria. These bacteria work together to find homeostasis and keep your tush in top shape notes Well and Good.
“This is important, so when you start to augment that [microbiome] with wet wipes, what happens is that you’re wiping away the good bacteria and the balance becomes a problem,” claims Dr. Goldstein who told the health publication.
You may have irritation, rashes, or fungal or bacterial infections when there is an imbalance. He explains, “With the homeostasis in the biome altered, bad bacteria starts to populate fungus or irritation, which I see all the time,” noting that redness and general discomfort are notable symptoms of this. Furthermore, even “chemical-free” moist wipes will cause this.
The moisture element is yet another significant risk when using wet wipes. According to Dr. Goldstein, people frequently use wet wipes before pulling up their pants, which causes the liquid to congeal. “The moisture just festers, changing the bacteria and bringing on irritation.” He points out that if this keeps happening, people may believe they have fissures or haemorrhoids when, in reality, it’s just an accumulation of irritation and harmful bacteria. To find out what’s going on if you encounter something similar, schedule a visit with your doctor.
In addition wet wipes are bad for the environment.
