Think of your body like it’s a temple: It’s yours to use, but there are some sacred spots you shouldn’t put your grubby hands on.



Research shows that hands play a major role in the transmission of germs. Even after proper washing, hands and fingers are rapidly re-contaminated from the surrounding environment.

That’s especially true if you haven’t clipped your nails lately, or if you sport some bling. Research suggests that people who wear rings or keep their fingernails 2 millimeters or longer tend to carry more microbes on their mitts.

The next step: Keep your paws off these body parts as much as possible.

Your Ear Canal

You should never stick your fingers—or anything else—in your ears. Introducing anything into the ear canal can tear the thin skin that lines the ear canal.

If you feel an itching sensation in your ears, see an otolaryngologist rather than trying something DIY. An otolaryngologist can assess the problem—whether it be wax accumulation, eczema of the skin, or infection—like swimmer’s ear, for example. A tailored program of treatment, ear hygiene, and moisturizing of the skin should be put into play.

Your Face

You can use your hands to wash your face or apply skincare. But otherwise, keep your paws off. When you rest your hands on a germy surface and then bring them to your forehead, it increases your likelihood of getting sick—and breaking out, too. Your fingers contain oils that can plug your pores.

Your Butt

Wiping and washing aside, don’t pick your butt. Just don’t. The anus does contain bacteria that could potentially be harmful. After you poop or touch your butt for any other reason, wash your hands thoroughly.




Your Eyes

Unless you’re putting in contacts or washing away a particle that found its way into your peepers, keep them off limits. You can easily introduce germs into your eyes. Those bugs could cause anything from pinkeye to a scarier infection. Follow this simple rule: Don’t touch and don’t rub.

And if you do experience itchiness, dryness, or contact lens discomfort, talk to your eye doc. He or she can address the underlying issue.

Your Mouth

Recent research found that people put their fingers on or around their mouths an average of 23.6 times per hour when they were bored at work. And they still did it 6.3 times an hour when they were busy! That’s a problem: In a landmark study, a third to a quarter of germs tested transferred from study subjects’ fingers to their mouths. Maybe you should think about stealing your kid’s pacifier.

The Inside of Your Nose

Quit digging for gold: In a 2006 study of ear, nose, nose pickers were 51 percent more likely to carry Staphylococcus aureus bacteria in their schnozzes than those who kept their hands off.

The Skin under Your Nails

Lots of nasty bacteria, including staph, can live there.Your nails should be short to reduce the chances of bacterial carriage, and such nails only need a gentle nail brush to remove debris and often.

Picking tends to create trauma in its own right, and then any bacteria or yeast can cause further problems—sometimes resulting in a pattern called onycholysis, where the nail lifts off the nail bed.


Source: Men’s Health