I've been watching The Dr. Oz Show and it has turned me into a different person. I always loved it when Oprah had him on her show. I thought he had interesting things to say and shared important facts that we all should know.
Unfortunately, his daily television show has turned me into an anxious, germaphobe!!!!
I can't stop thinking about the germs, EVERYWHERE! I seriously need help.
Last week he did a segment about the bacteria in our bathroom. He had objects from audience members' actual bathrooms and did tests on them. On a reusable shower cap, which I use a couple times a week, he found fecal matter. EWW! He suggested soaking it in a bleach solution or using a new one every time. And he found E. Coli on a toothbrush holder!!
The thing that traumatized me the most was the toilet. He showed footage of what happens when we flush. When we don't close the lid to the toilet when we flush there is a spray filled with bacteria and viruses that can travel up to 20 ft (uh, most bathrooms aren't that big so does that mean the mist travels into our bedrooms?!) and can hang in the air for up to a few hours!!! In other words, bacteria from your toilet goes everywhere and gets on everything in your bathroom. Your towels, anything on your sink, your toothbrush, the floor! Most of us are barefoot when we are at home which I'm assuming means you get bacteria on your feet and then from there, on the couch, in your bed...the list goes on! I keep picturing fecal matter everywhere!!
That got me thinking that public restroom toilets don't even have a lid and they are constantly being flushed!! So when I walk into a public restroom I'm basically walking into a bacteria filled mist that goes into my mouth, eyes, and on my clothes. I don't know if I can walk into a public restroom again. Alright, I will still use public restrooms, but I will have anxiety while doing so.
I just finished watching an episode where they tested audience members' purses, makeup and cell phones. On the purse there was bacteria that causes asthma. On a makeup sponge (which looked like it was 10 years old so it didn't surprise me) there was bacteria that causes vomiting and diarrhea. On the cell phone there was bacteria that causes urinary tract infections. Dr Oz said to never set your purse on the floor (especially in a bathroom) and you should never take it further than your front door in your house.
I don't know how any of us are as healthy as we are with all the bacteria flying around us.
I just can't seem to stop watching Dr. Oz even though I freak out after each episode. But I need to know what is out there and what to do about it even if I become more of a germaphobe because of it.
I hope I at least scared some of you so I'm not the only one who puts the toilet seat down when I flush.
12 years ago
7 comments:
I always put the toilet seat down when I flush now since I saw some slow-mo footage on an episode of Myth Busters or something. I don't really think about all the germs anywhere else and most of the time I really don't care... because it would probably gross me out too. We've got to build immunity somehow!
yes, I agree with Amanda about the building immunity thing. Which is why we are probably all healthy despite all the "crap" going around! But I need to start watching Dr. Oz!! He sounds awesome. I'm thinking I will start being a little more careful around the house. YIKES!
That last comment was from me--Audra.
I'm your sister in law, Michelle's friend. I agree that it can be gross, however, bacteria is necessary for our bodies to be able to ward off other bacteria. If you bleach and clean the EVERYTHING than your body won't be able to build up your immune system. My aunt cleans everything and is obsessed with germs. Her kids are ALWAYS sick because they have really week immune systems. Of course you should still clean your bathroom once a week but don't let your mind go too crazy. We are all still quite healthy and then only people that I know that are ALWAYS sick are the ones that have moms who are super clean freaks.
I hope some of that puts your mind to ease. I hate feeling scared about things. I watched his show the first day and I vowed to not watch it anymore.
Have you ever seen some of the Oprah's about germs? Especially the ones about mites and bugs in your mattress and pillows? That one totally grossed me out and now I use the impermeable mattress and pillowcase protectors. And you are supposed to vacuum your mattress regularly too.
I am always having my kids use hand sanitizer but even my best efforts are in vain when up against Syd...one time she just decided to take a big lick of the check out counter at Old Navy and then just the other day we were at Wal-Mart and she got a drink at the drinking fountain and then because her hands were wet she decided to wipe them on the floor mat and then she stuck her hands in her mouth immediately. Nasty!!!!
However, she has learned to use a paper towel to open the doors in public restrooms...I am a proud mama:)
OKAY Kat. The famous quote, "What you don't know can't hurt you" just go by that. You've been living with fecal matter all your life! so your body is pretty much immune to it. love you though!
1) I watched a show with Dr. Oz and he went to a special camp to help people with ocd and phobias and one guy had a germ problem and they made him LICK the toilet seat as part of his therapy. GROSSS.
2) Money is SO dirty. It's passed around and around. (So are pens & pencils. So many people put pens in their mouths and pens get picked up and used by different people all the time.)
3) Children spread germs like crazy. I'm very careful of kids touching my baby. People always want to touch babies!!
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