Habit of browsing social media before bed: the worst you can do!!

Now, scientists are warning that using the phone in bed may be more harmful than affecting sleep patterns, as the phone can be home to harmful bacteria that are usually found in cockroach droppings, according to a study sponsored by MattressNextDay (a British company specializing in selling mattresses, pillows and sleeping furniture).

Contact with these bacteria can lead to rashes, pneumonia, and even sepsis in vulnerable people.

The warm, humid environment in bed is an ideal "Petri dish" for the growth and spread of these bacteria. With the average person touching their phone about 2,617 times a day, it's no wonder our devices quickly become unsanitary. Previous studies have shown that buttons on a smartphone can harbour up to 10 times the amount of bacteria found on a toilet seat.

To find out what types of bacteria our smart devices might be hiding, the research team took samples from 10 phones and 10 smartwatches. The team set up a lab environment to grow bacteria so they could identify the species present, and later discovered that the smartphone was the dirtiest piece of technology, harbouring more bacteria than common germ hotspots such as the TV remote control.

The most common bacteria found on phones, watches and Fitbits was Pseudomonas aeruginosa (a bacterium common in cockroach droppings), which thrives in the warm, humid climates found in our beds.

“Remember that your bed should be a haven of rest, not a petri dish for potentially harmful bacteria,” says Martin Seeley, sleep expert and CEO of MattressNextDay.

Although Pseudomonas aeruginosa is harmless in most cases, it can lead to more serious health complications.

In hospitals, the bacteria is the leading cause of infection among patients who are ill. It is also known to be resistant to treatment, making the infection difficult to treat.

However, there are simple measures you can take to reduce your risk of infection, including regularly cleaning your phone with alcohol wipes or strong disinfectants to kill any bacteria that may be living on the devices.

Source: Daily Mail - Published on October 16,2024 https://ar.rt.com/yiaj