7 lifestyle habits that we thought were hygienic but were actually very dirty. It turns out we have been doing them wrong.

Today I want to share with you a story about a middle-aged woman. Her experience may be the mistake that many people repeat inadvertently. This woman, let's call her Ms. Li, always appears in front of people in a neat and decent manner. However, fate seems to always like to play jokes. During a routine physical examination, she was told that she had a urinary tract infection. This was undoubtedly a bolt from the blue for her, because she considered herself a model of hygienic habits. But when I got to know her living habits in depth, I found a shocking fact: she used wet wipes every time after going to the toilet, and the direction of wiping was from back to front. This seemingly hygienic habit actually became a secret channel for bacteria to invade. Ms. Li's story made me deeply aware that there are many misunderstandings in life that seem hygienic but actually hide health risks.

Today, I will reveal the dirty truth behind these misconceptions, hoping to awaken everyone to a new understanding of healthy living.

Myths about wet wipes: The preservatives and fragrances in wet wipes may damage the skin's natural barrier, and the wrong wiping direction can contribute to the spread of bacteria.

The right thing to do is to choose wipes without additives and always wipe from front to back.

The trap of hand sanitizer: Although hand sanitizer is convenient and quick, over-reliance on antibacterial ingredients will destroy the skin microbiome and may even cultivate super bacteria.

Returning to the most primitive soap and water is the best choice for washing your hands.

The secret of the kitchen sponge: This small sponge is actually one of the places with the highest bacteria density in the home.

Regular replacement or high temperature sterilization is the key to keeping the kitchen clean.

The bacterial empire of mobile phone screens: Our mobile phones, these small screens that we carry with us, have a number of bacteria on them that is comparable to those in public toilets.

Regularly cleaning your phone with professional disinfectants is a necessary measure to protect yourself.

Toothbrushes harbor dirt and grime: Toothbrushes placed upside down can easily breed bacteria in a moist environment.

The correct way is to place the toothbrush head upwards and make sure it is in a dry and ventilated environment.

Misconceptions about refrigerators: The refrigerator is not a universal fresh-keeping box, and cross-contamination of food should not be ignored.

Reasonable partitioning storage and regular cleaning of expired food are effective ways to keep the refrigerator clean.

Hidden concerns about washing machines: Dirt and bacteria inside the washing machine may contaminate clothes again during the wash cycle.

High-temperature washing at least once a month is a necessary step to ensure the cleanliness of clothes.

These habits are like seemingly perfect canvases, but behind them are hidden unknown stains.

As a doctor, I understand the importance of prevention being better than cure.

Therefore, I hope that every reader can recognize these health traps in daily life and take correct actions to protect the health of themselves and their families.

【Health Science】

At the end of the article, I would like to emphasize that true hygiene is not just a superficial behavior, but also a scientific attitude.

To maintain good hygiene, you can follow a few basic principles:

Wash your hands frequently: Hands are the parts of your body that come into contact with the outside world the most, so it is very important to keep them clean.

You should wash your hands before meals, after defecation, after contact with dirty objects, etc., using soap or hand sanitizer and following the correct steps.

Pay attention to personal hygiene: brush your teeth in the morning and evening, wash your hands before meals, rinse your mouth after meals, and maintain oral hygiene.

In addition, you should also pay attention to the cleanliness of your personal clothing, change your bed sheets and quilt covers regularly, and keep your living environment clean.

Food hygiene: Do not eat food that is not hygienically guaranteed, do not eat food that is not cleaned properly, and do not drink raw water.

Food should be fully cooked, avoid eating expired or spoiled food, and store raw and cooked food separately.

Environmental hygiene: Keep the living environment clean, clean regularly, pay attention to indoor and outdoor ventilation, and reduce the breeding of bacteria and viruses.

Healthy lifestyle: Maintain a regular schedule, ensure adequate sleep, strengthen physical exercise, maintain a good mental state, and avoid unhealthy habits such as smoking and excessive drinking.

Prevent the spread of disease: Avoid contact with wild animals and do not share personal hygiene items such as toothbrushes, towels, etc. to reduce the risk of disease transmission.

Get vaccinated on time: Vaccination is an effective way to prevent certain infectious diseases and should be done in a timely manner according to national and local vaccination plans.

Through the above measures, you can effectively maintain personal and environmental hygiene, prevent the occurrence of diseases, and maintain the health of yourself and others. Healthy living habits are our solid line of defense against diseases. Let us start from now on and abandon those habits that "think they are hygienic, but are actually dirty", and move towards a healthier and better future together. What do you think about this? Let's chat in the comment section!