The bacteria colonies in unwashed pillowcases were found to be 17,000 times more compared to the numbers present on toilet seats.
Unwashed Pillowcases Could Have 17,000 Times More Bacteria Than Toilet Seats
Such findings were revealed through revolting swab tests of materials, including silk and cotton, that were found to contain large numbers of germs and fungus. These microorganisms may have originated from saliva, feces, sweat, and dead skin cells, MailOnline explains.
The novel experiments covered unwashed pillowcase samples that were left incubated for a week. They revealed bacteria that are capable of leading to inflammation and skin infection. Dead skin, allergens, and fungi are all unsettling particles that are capable of attracting tiny critters and dust mites that feed on dead skin cells.
The New York Post adds that the analysis covered cleanliness information for pillowcases, linens, and mattresses. It also involved the possible pathogens present between sheets.
AmeriSleep, a mattress company, revealed findings that showed that three million colonies of bacteria dwell on a pillowcase that has not been washed in a week. The company performed swabs on the unwashed pillowcases of three volunteers at the start of every week. It did so for four consecutive weeks to find out the results.
The company shared that after a week had passed, the pillowcases were found to harbor around 3 million to five million colony-forming units for each square inch. The pillowcases were observed to hold gram-positive cocci and bacilli.
Bacilli are capable of causing endocarditis, ocular infections, septicemia, bacteremia, meningitis, musculoskeletal infections, and pneumonia. Gram-positive cocci, on the other hand, may cause toxic shock syndrome and antibiotic-resistant infections.
How Clean Are Your Sheets?
Per MailOnline, studies have revealed that a typical person cleans or changes pillowcases every 24 days. Dermatologists, however, recommend having these changed at least twice each week.
Dr. Handley King, a dermatologist, mentioned to Well+ Good that when one gets on the bed, the linen gets contaminated with roughly 50 million dead skin cells each day. On top of that, other things like lotions, makeup, hair, sweat, and anything else one picked up throughout the day could contaminate the sheets as well.
Dust mites could end up feeding on all these nasty things. Afterward, they poop on the sheets. More than being simply discussing, this could also exacerbate asthma and allergies.
Oils and sweat are also ideal breeding areas for yeast and bacteria, which are two things that are not good for the face. This, in turn, boosts risks for skin irritation and infection. It may also lead to breakouts for those with skin that is prone to acne.
Dr. King adds that sleeping on just one pillowcase for a whole week may lead to skin infections, inflammation, or allergies. MailOnline notes that one bacterium that is capable of growing on the covers is the Staphulococcus aureus bacteria, which fosters soft tissue and skin infections, including cellulitis and boils.
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