According to a study by Japanese scientists, we should use bidets instead of toilet paper since they lower the chance of developing serious infections.
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In an article written for the 2022 Journal of Water & Health, the study claims that those who have used a bidet had ten times fewer harmful bacteria on their hands than those who use toilet paper. Scientists said Americans are more vulnerable to contracting the potentially deadly bug C. difficile, a bacteria that can cause diarrhea and inflammatory bowel disease. According to the Daily Mail, approximately 500,000 Americans are infected with the virus every year, and two-thirds of the cases are connected to nursing homes. It also kills 15,000 to 30,000 people a year in the United States.
Experts also say that the brand of toilet tissue is not an issue but the way people use it, as people wipe incorrectly and the type of toilet paper used. For example, 1-ply toilet paper is rougher on the skin than the more expensive options and can cause open wounds and infection risk.
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There was one case study of a woman who had irritation in her vulva, the outer part of female genitalia, for four years, and it made it difficult for her to walk. When she started using unbleached toilet paper during her trip to Europe, her symptoms improved, and experts recommend using strong, absorbent, and softer toilet tissue.
It was also recommended to watch how you wipe because it can lead to severe issues such as hemorrhoids and in some cases, bleeding. Wiping from front to back is essential, especially for women.
Here are the steps on how to wipe correctly:
- Use a generous amount of toilet paper to create a wad.
- Start at the front of your body and wipe towards the back. Be sure to wipe all areas, including the perineum (the space between the genitals and anus).
- Use a new piece of toilet paper for each wipe.
- Continue wiping until the toilet paper is clean.
- If you use scented toilet paper, choose a scent that is not too strong, which can irritate your skin.
- If you have hemorrhoids, you may want to use wet wipes instead of toilet paper. Wet wipes can be more soothing and less likely to irritate the skin.
Another detail people tend to look over is closing the lid before flushing the toilet as this can spread more C. difficile bacteria 12 more times when the lid is not closed.