It’s not just a rumor—your smartphone might harbor more germs than the average toilet. A recent viral video from LADbible revealed that smartphones are a hotbed for dust mites, with disturbing implications for our health. Experts are now urging us to take cleaning our phones seriously, recommending regular wipes with antibacterial wipes or alcohol pads to keep the germs at bay.
The video offers a close-up, microscopic view of a smartphone. It shows dust particles visibly accumulating in tiny crevices, like the speaker holes—areas that are often impossible to see with the naked eye.
The video also spotted dust mites crawling around the phone’s speaker holes. These microscopic creatures feed on human skin flakes, making your phone an ideal breeding ground.
When researchers looked at a thumbprint on a phone screen under a microscope, they were shocked to discover a huge concentration of bacteria.
Dr. Sarah Latoria, a professor at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Illinois, explained that smartphones can be a conduit for transmitting viral diseases, such as the flu. She highlighted this point amid findings from a U.S. study showing that smartphone bacteria levels are ten times higher than those on toilet seats. Adding to the hygiene concerns, a UK study revealed that 17% of smartphones were contaminated with fecal matter.
Smartphone screens can be breeding grounds for harmful bacteria like E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus. When your phone touches your face during calls, these bacteria can cause skin issues like acne and folliculitis. With smartphones such an essential part of our daily lives, it can be difficult to cut back on usage, but keeping your phone clean is key to protecting your skin and your health.
Experts recommend wiping down your smartphone several times daily with antibacterial wipes or cotton pads soaked in disinfectant alcohol to keep it as clean as possible.
Some experts further suggest that smartphone sanitizers or specialized cleaning products can help kill germs and bacteria lurking on your device. And when it comes to calls, using earphones or speakerphones is a good practice to avoid direct contact between the screen and your skin.
A study by the Korea Institute of Science and Technology found that nearly 90% of earphones tested were contaminated with harmful bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus. To reduce the risk, make it a habit to disinfect your earphones regularly. Remove the ear tips and clean them thoroughly with a cotton swab dipped in disinfectant alcohol. Don’t forget to clean the cords if you’re using wired earphones.
Your tech hygiene shouldn’t end with your phone. Keyboards and computer mice are also notorious for harboring germs. An Incheon Health and Environment Research Institute investigation found Bacillus cereus—a bacterium that can cause food poisoning—on both keyboards and mice. To protect yourself, consider using keyboard covers and wiping down your mouse with antibacterial wipes before and after every use.
With our increasing reliance on smartphones, earphones, and other tech devices, it’s important to remember that maintaining hygiene in our digital world is just as critical as our hygiene. Regularly cleaning your devices can help reduce exposure to harmful bacteria and keep your skin and body safe.
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