30+ Unhygienic Habits That People Have Started To Abandon
Nowadays, there's a wealth of information regarding healthy habits that can keep our bodies clean, healthy, and safe from getting sicknesses and spreading them to others. However, applying all of them to daily life can be a challenge for many people because sticking to a new routine after living with another one for so long is a significant adjustment.
Naturally, just as much information is out there warning people to stop certain behaviors that may come naturally but aren't doing the body any favors. But while certain unhealthy habits may feel comfortable, they do enough damage that some folks are finally abandoning them.
Using sponges for too long, especially without cleaning
Since sponges are usually within reach during dishwashing and are an essential part of the cleaning process for many people, it's easy to take them for granted. Unfortunately, that means it's common for people to use them for long enough that they cause more hygiene problems than they solve.
According to Southern Living, kitchen sponges should be replaced about once a week. Furthermore, they should be cleaned after each use. While there are various ways to do that, Reddit user PandiBC mentioned putting them in the top rack of their dishwasher.
Touching the face
Even when a person is actively trying to stop touching their face, it's a genuine struggle because it's such an automatic reaction to a wide range of stimuli. If it's itchy or a person is experiencing extreme emotions, they're very likely to touch their face and not notice they're doing it until it's too late.
But there's a reason it's so important to try not to anyway. According to a 2015 study in the American Journal Of Infection Control, face touching is one of the easiest vectors for spreading not only common respiratory infections like colds but also Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. As the name would suggest, this bacteria is known for causing staph infections.
Not brushing teeth for long enough at a time
Although most people understand that they're supposed to brush their teeth twice a day, that doesn't mean they always do it for long enough to make a difference. While some may hear that they're supposed to brush for two minutes, it's easy to underestimate how long that can feel during a rote, repetitive activity.
However, Anderson Pediatric Dentistry cited information from The Journal of Dental Hygiene and The International Journal of Dental Hygiene that indicated that brushing for two minutes removes approximately 26% more harmful plaque from teeth than the common average of 45 seconds. Thus decreasing the risk of cavities.
Not getting enough sleep
Although the commonly known effects of sleep deprivation — like irritability, brain fog, and dangerous fatigue behind the wheel — are bad enough, some effects of regularly preventing a full night's sleep can be even more staggering than most people would imagine. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, sleep deficiencies result in the body producing fewer immune protectors called "natural killer cells."
This is one of the reasons that they can increase the risks of colorectal cancer by 36%, the risk of heart disease by 48%, and the risk of dementia by 33%. It also increases the risk of high blood pressure, triples the risk of type 2 diabetes, and triples the risk of catching a cold.
Tanning
Although it's becoming more widely known that sunbathing and tanning beds are bad for the skin, some misconceptions still exist about tanning. Namely, that there are safe ways to tan and that tans help protect against sunburns. However, the FDA says that tans don't have sufficient SPF to protect against the sun's rays and that all tans are skin damaged.
Not only does tanning prematurely age the skin, but it carries the serious risk of developing skin cancer the more it's done. Although the worst form of this, melanoma, has a clear genetic factor, it is also caused by prolonged exposure to different forms of UV rays.
Coughing into their hands
As obvious as this one sounds, there's a big difference between knowing it's not a healthy habit and actually stopping it. After all, coughs and sneezes can arise so suddenly that the human response to them is often fairly automatic.
However, training the body to cough or sneeze into the inner arm or (whenever possible) a tissue can ensure that the germs spraying out of people's mouths and noses don't spread to either other surfaces or other people. Otherwise, more people get sick, and those who are already sick stay that way for longer.
Not drinking enough water
Everybody knows they need water to live, but many people can end up underestimating how much they need and dehydrating themselves. Although the most severe forms of dehydration can be fatal, it's easy to miss how not drinking enough water each day can slow people down.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, fatigue, dizziness, and headaches are all signs of dehydration, but so are constipation and low blood pressure. Moreover, blood pressure can sometimes spike dangerously high in dehydration when the body overcorrects. Chronic dehydration can also lead to electrolyte imbalances, kidney stones, and even kidney failure if it's severe enough.
Showering too often
Although showering multiple times a day may be a necessity in particularly hot climates, it's generally a practice that should be avoided. As Dr. Angela Lamb of Westside Mount Sinai Dermatology Faculty Practice told Today, showering too often tends to dry out the skin, but that's just the tip of the iceberg.
After all, that skin is drying due to the disruption and removal of the skin's protective barrier. Although it sounds counter-intuitive, excessive showering can clear away useful bacteria. As Lamb put it, "You can actually make yourself more prone to infection if you over-wash because the skin is protected with some really nice natural bacteria and things that protect it, and you want to preserve those."
Biting fingernails
It's common for people to bite their nails in stressful situations. However, it's also not something that people should make a habit of doing due to issues within the fingers and mouth that can arise from long-term biting. These issues are rare, but the more that nails are bitten, the more likely they are to happen.
According to UCLA Health, they can cause tissue damage to the nails and the fingertips and fungal infections in the nail beds. As for the mouth, dental problems such as misaligned or chipped teeth are possible, as are illnesses resulting from bacteria passing from the fingers into the mouth.
Not changing bed sheets enough
At the end of a long day, it's understandable to want to just tumble into bed. But while there's nothing wrong with that, it's imperative not to let too many days pass before the sheets and pillowcases involved are swapped out. As dermatologist Dr. Jennifer Holman told Southern Living, that should be happening about once a week.
And for those who drool heavily in their sleep, wear makeup to bed, or have oily skin, the pillowcase should be changed more often. And the reason is the same for both bedspreads. When the oil, drool, sweat, and dead skin on the body build up in sheets and pillowcases, it can cause rashes, acne, itching, and hair follicle infections (folliculitis.)
Eating in bed
On particularly lazy days, it can seem like the height of blissful comfort to eat in bed. But no matter how tempting it may seem to do that sometimes, it's not something that should be done. In fact, it should never be done.
As nurse practitioner Ashley Carmen told Southern Living, eating in bed is the perfect way to invite a wide variety of infestations. It's very unlikely that all of the crumbs resulting from this kind of snacking will be caught, which makes a bed a buffet for everything ranging from insects to mice.
Rewearing clothes without washing them
For the most part, it's easy to tell how many times certain articles of clothing can be worn before they need to be washed. If they stink, are dirty, have visible sweat stains, or were stained recently, it's a no-brainer. However, some clothes need to be washed each time they're used to ensure proper hygiene and health.
As microbiology lecturer Manal Mohammed from the University of Westminster told CNN, underwear, socks, tights, leggings, and other activewear must be washed after they're used. Otherwise, the body's sweat can lead the natural bacteria resting on it to overgrow, which can cause skin issues like funguses and staph infections.
The five-second rule is a lie
At some point, everyone has dropped some food on the ground. Whether it's on a floor inside a restaurant or on the sidewalk, many people will treat that food as a loss and sulk but move on. Others, however, will invoke the five-second rule and snatch it back up as soon as it drops. As they claim, this stops the food from getting contaminated.
Unfortunately, that's not quite how it works. According to a 2007 study in the Journal Of Applied Microbiology, researchers who dropped bologna sandwiches on various surfaces contaminated with Salmonella Typhimurium bacteria found that the germs found their way onto the dropped food instantly. The only validity the five-second rule has is that bacteria contaminate food more the longer it stays on the ground. But it starts off contaminated.
Picking at scabs
Whether it's because they're itchy or because they're unsightly, it's not unusual for people to pick at their scabs after something breaks the skin. However, just because it's a common practice, that doesn't mean it's a good idea. Neither is popping a pimple, for that matter.
According to Medical News Today, that's not just because it makes the wound that the scab is trying to close take longer to heal. Picking at scabs can cause scarring, but they can also easily lead to skin infections.
Not cleaning keyboards and phones
While some messes on phones and keyboards are more obvious than others, it's easy to underestimate how deeply contaminated both of these devices can get over the course of normal use. After all, the real problem concerns the extra passengers who can't be seen with the naked eye.
According to The International Journal Of Environmental Research And Public Health, researchers uncovered various species of Bacillus bacteria and Staphylococcus aureus in abundance when they tested keyboards and phones. While the second of these two microbes is responsible for staph infections, the others are associated with gastrointestinal problems, most commonly diarrhea.
Nose picking
Although most children who pick their noses growing up are scolded for it by parents and teachers alike, some can find that habit persisting into adulthood. And while it's obviously not a pleasant or hygienic habit to spread one's mucus everywhere, it's easy to underestimate how harmful it can be.
In the words of Dr. Bradley Otto from the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, "It doesn't take much of a scratch to the surface of your nose to make you bleed pretty significantly. If you have long fingernails or you're a little bit rough, you can scrape that lining and cause scabbing that then may allow bacteria from the nasal skin to collect there."
Not washing hands after handling toilets or raw meat
Although the need to wash one's hands after using a toilet should seem insultingly obvious to most people, there are still enough folks out there who don't do it to cause some serious public health issues. That also goes for those who have just handled raw meat, as contaminated hands are an effective vector for food-borne illnesses.
According to the Centers For Disease Control, people who don't wash their hands will get themselves sick by touching their face, as well as getting others sick by touching their food, drinks, and the surfaces around them. This can spread respiratory illnesses, gastrointestinal illnesses, and skin and eye infections.
Not washing hands after using drinking fountains
While some people get squeamish about using public water fountains, they're typically under the impression that the contact other people's mouths have with the fountain contaminates it in some way. But while it's likely not a good idea to wrap one's lips around the spout, Dr. Julie McAuley from the Doherty Institute told the Australian Broadcasting Company that this isn't the real health risk with water fountains.
Instead, the most likely point of contamination is the knob that turns the water on. Although it's theoretically fine on its own, that changes if it's in a high-traffic area. Because if someone uses it after going to the bathroom without washing their hands, they could potentially contaminate it with anything ranging from noroviruses to E. coli to salmonella.
Smoking, for obvious reasons
Thanks to decades of anti-smoking public service announcements and other health messaging, it's now widely known that smoking tobacco not only causes lung cancer for the smoker but also for those around them. But while others may be aware that smoking can also cause emphysema and chronic bronchitis, not all of tobacco's risks are lung-related.
According to the Centers For Disease Control, smoking can also cause heart disease, strokes, and diabetes while also increasing the risks of tuberculosis, rheumatoid arthritis, eye diseases, and issues with the immune system. Nothing good can really come of it.
Reusing tissues
Although most people rightly throw away tissues after they use them to blow their noses, some people are apparently under the impression that they can reuse them afterward. However, whether they think they're safe from their own germs or that a dry portion of the tissue is safe, they're wrong.
According to Brighton Volunteer Ambulance, those who reuse tissues are at as much risk of spreading diseases as those who cough or sneeze into their hands. That's one money-saving tactic that will simply not work.
Chewing on pens
Growing up, many people heard their teachers scold students for chewing on the caps of their pens. But while they were likely right that the cap became a choking hazard when kids were bored or anxious enough to do this, that's not the only reason why it's a bad idea.
According to Bradshaw Family Dental, those pens aren't exactly clean, which means that any germs that are living on them can enter the mouth and find their way into the bloodstream. Even if that doesn't happen, chewing on pens (especially ones with hard surfaces) can crack and loosen teeth, making them unstable.
Clipping toenails in bed
For the most part, the issue people have with their partners clipping their toenails in bed is the likelihood that they'll get hit by a flying clipping or step on them later. Naturally, that's a pretty gross occurrence that most people people would want to avoid.
However, it's a bad and unhygienic idea to clip one's toenails in bed, even for those who live alone. As Dr. Deborah Lee told HuffPost UK, "If you don't want yellow toenails, don’t cut your toenails in bed. Fungal infections thrive in warm, moist environments – such as the bed."
Leaving sanitary pads on too long
Although some people prefer using sanitary pads to tampons, they're a lot easier to forget to change, yet it's just as important to do so regularly. Although it can be tempting to leave them on after experiencing a lighter flow, this can do more harm than good if the pad is left in place for too long.
According to Nua's website, pads should be changed every six to eight hours during a menstrual cycle to prevent rashes, yeast infections, and the unpleasant odors that can often come with these two conditions.
Getting contact lenses wet
Although some people will find out that sleeping in contact lenses both hurts and leaves eyes prone to infection the hard way, that's not the only way that unwanted microbes can get under them. And this unhygienic issue explains why contact solution is such an important item.
According to the Centers For Disease Control, contact lenses should never make contact with water. That means wearers should avoid showering or swimming in them, and it especially means that water should absolutely never be used as a substitute for solution. That's because water allows bacteria to flourish when it's trapped under the lenses.
Putting Q-tips in the ears
If someone were to ask most people what they use Q-tips for, the most common answer would likely indicate that they stick them in their ears when they get itchy or they're worried about earwax. However, even the box will tell customers that they shouldn't do this.
According to the American Academy Of Otolaryngology, this is partially because most earwax doesn't need any outside intervention. But more seriously, putting cotton swabs or any other items in one's ears can result in cuts in the ear canal, punctured eardrums, or injury to the small bones in the ear. This can result in hearing loss, ringing, and dizziness.
Not washing coffee mugs, but it depends
In many office environments, there's at least one coworker who never washes their coffee mug, which leaves layers of coffee caked onto the inside of the mug. Despite the resemblance to the rings of a tree, however, this isn't necessarily as unhealthy a habit as it seems.
According to Jeffrey Starke at the Baylor College Of Medicine, it's safer than it seems for someone to reuse their mug without washing it as long as they're the only ones drinking from it. However, that's only true if they take their coffee black. In Starke's words, "If you leave cream or sugar in your mug over the weekend, that can certainly cause mold to grow."
Not flossing
Although it's common for people to skip flossing even when they brush their teeth twice a day, that's arguably the most important part of dental hygiene. According to the National Institutes Of Health, 12 different studies have shown that flossing and brushing reduced gingivitis and plaque buildup more than brushing alone.
Although some analyses of these studies have contested the efficacy of flossing, the proof is clearly evident for dentists. In the words of NIH dental health expert Dr. Tim Iafolla, "Every dentist in the country can look in someone's mouth and tell whether or not they floss."
Kissing pets
Although some pet owners avoid letting cats or dogs lick their faces, others will kiss them directly on the mouth. And while The Guardian reported that infection rates from doing this are lower than some might expect, the consequences can be more serious than most people realize.
That's because both animals are known to carry the bacterium that causes MRSA (Staphylococcus aureus) and the Pasteurella multicoda bacterium, which led to a Japanese woman's meningitis diagnosis in 2011. While kissing pets isn't always likely to result in these infections, that risk is greater among children, older adults, pregnant people, and those with compromised immune systems.
Not washing hands after paying for meals with cash
Although cash is becoming less prevalent in society, it's worth noting that those who still use it truly don't know where it's been. As Susan Whittier from the New York-Presbyterian and Columbia University Medical Center told Time, "A lot of people aren't washing their hands, and they're at a restaurant, and money is going back and forth. You don't know who's touched it."
Since dollar bills can stay in circulation for 5 to 15 years, they have quite a journey by the time they get to the wallet. In that time, they can pick up staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, salmonella, and even traces of illicit substances. However, they're also not the greatest transmitters of these pathogens because they're so porous. Still, some bacteria are better at thriving than others, and it's still good to keep this in mind when dining out.
Washing towels with other clothes, especially underwear
It's good for the environment to reuse towels, but Manal Mohammed from the Univeristy of Westminster told CNN that they should be hung out to dry after use to prevent the proliferation of harmful bacteria and washed every week or so. However, how that washing is conducted is also important.
When towels are thrown into the washing machine with high-risk items like underwear, the traces of feces and bacteria cultures found in that underwear can end up contaminating the towels while they're rolling around together. That's why it's ideal for towels to be washed separately from other garments, especially underwear and items stained by bodily fluids.
Sleeping in tight, non-breathable underwear
Although some people believe that it's healthier to sleep in the buff, the Cleveland Clinic noted that there is little conclusive evidence suggesting that it's any better or worse for the body than sleeping in pajamas. However, there is one caveat.
The clinic advised women against sleeping in tight-fitting underwear, as this can trap heat and moisture between their legs. Since these are ideal conditions for a yeast infection, they recommend either wearing loose-fitting cotton bottoms or not sleeping in any underwear at all.
Leaving dishes to soak in the sink
Although it's usually used as an excuse to procrastinate before washing dishes, it's a fairly common practice for people to "let dishes soak" in sinks filled with warm water. However, its commonality doesn't make it any more safe or hygienic.
As Mental Floss noted, the warm, wet conditions of this kitchen sink create an ideal environment for what the outlet described as "bacteria soup." And if the meal involved meat or fish, this could mean that the flourishing pathogens are salmonella and E.coli. As annoying as it may be, dishes are best washed as soon as possible after they're placed in the sink.
Washing hair too often
As Dr. Anthony Rossi of the American Academy Of Dermatology Association told CNN, people's perceptions of how often they need to wash their hair are often influenced by the routines they developed when they were teenagers. However, this is the oiliest time of life for the human scalp, and the oil level generally decreases as people age.
Although how often people should wash their hair is dependent on their hair type and level of activity, Rossi typically recommends doing it once or twice a week. If hair is washed too often, it can dry out and get brittle, making it more prone to breakages and split ends.
Not washing hair often enough
Hair washing can be a delicate balancing act, which isn't helped by the fact that proper hair treatment can vary significantly from person to person. But while one can certainly run into the pitfall of washing it too often, that doesn't make it any better to wash it too infrequently.
The longer hair goes without washing, the greasier and oilier it gets. Although that's generally something people try to avoid on its own, it can also smell after a week or so, which is generally a sign of an overgrowth of bacteria.
Eating too much red meat
According to the National Institutes of Health, research has consistently shown that regularly eating red meat (and even each serving of 1.5 ounces makes a difference) puts people at risk of shorter lifespans. And while the reasons for those shorter lives can vary, consumption of red meat affects all of the relevant risk factors.
As Dr. An Pan summarized in a 2012 study, eating high amounts of red meat increases the risks of type 2 diabetes, heart disease that develops into heart failure, strokes, and some forms of cancer. Researchers also found that substituting one serving of beef or pork with other protein sources like poultry, fish, or legumes can lower the risk of mortality by 7% to 19%.
Drinking alcohol
Although it is possible to drink in moderation, it's also true that there are no health risks associated with going one's whole life without drinking alcohol. It's not something the body needs. But while it's common knowledge that drinking while pregnant or driving while impaired are incredibly dangerous and heavy drinking can seriously affect the liver, those aren't the only health problems alcohol can cause.
According to the Centers For Disease Control, excessive drinking can increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, digestive issues, strokes, dementia, and cancers affecting the breasts, mouth, throat, colon, rectum, esophagus, and vocal cords. It also makes other sicknesses easier to contract by weakening the immune system.
Drinking soda
Their fizz may be fun and delicious, but there are no health benefits whatsoever to drinking soda. It doesn't even quench thirst! However, there is a long list of ways that soda can negatively impact the body. And some of them are more well-known than others.
According to Beaumont Health, their empty calories and high sugar content can lead to weight gain, but the acid in these drinks is an even bigger problem. It can irritate the stomach lining to the point of acid reflux, erode tooth enamel to the point of decay, and make it difficult for the body to absorb calcium to the point of osteoporosis.
Excessive sitting
According to Yale Medicine, doctors recommend taking short breaks from sitting every 30 minutes to an hour to reduce pressure on the spine, blood pooling, and the lack of activity that comes from prolonged sitting. And the effects of this sedentary habit are many and surprising.
The pressure on the spine can lead to lower back issues, and the blood pooling can cause vascular issues, diabetes, poor heart health, depression, dementia, and multiple cancers have all been linked to prolonged sitting habits.
