The Effect Your Cell Phone May Be Having On Your Skin

Got a rash or breakout on one side of your face? It may not be your pillow, but your cell phone that’s the culprit. You have no idea how dangerous a life your phone really leads. The average lifespan of a cell phone is somewhere around two years - and two years is a lot of time for bacteria to accumulate on your device.

We all know that germs are everywhere, but consider that when they’re on your phone, they infect your fingertips, then your face. With each call, you are now pressing all that collected gunk against your cheek which may be causing a new medical condition some British scientists are calling mobile dermatitis. 

Other recent studies show a cell phones harbor 18 times more germs than a men’s room flush handle. Imagine if you rested your one side of your face on a public toilet flush handle for say 20 minutes a day. What do you think would happen to your complexion?

Zits From Your Cell Phone

Considering how much bacteria has been found on a average cell phone, at the very least it will lead to pimples and rashes, or worse a flu or other type of nasty infection. If you rubbed your face against a public handrail for hours a day, you would break out too.

Everyone wants to look great, and part of that is doing everything you can to keep your complexion looking clear. A modern health tip is to clean the one item you probably use more than anything else throughout the day: your cell phone. Not only will it help reduce your chances of a flu infection, but it will make it that much easier to look and feel your best.

To learn more about the health risks of using a dirty cell phone and best personal electronic hygiene practices visit www.mobilehygiene.org

First Case of MRSA Infection From Cell Phone Reported

The threat of infection from cell phones is real, according to Dr. Jennifer Ashton, medical correspondent for CBS News, who recently reported the first known case of MRSA Infection from a cell phone. Studies have previously warned of the potential for pathogenic infections and have specifically cited the presence of the superbug MRSA on cell phones, but this is first known case where a patient has actually contracted the bug from their phone.

MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is a harmful bacterium that is particularly dangerous because it is resistant to many types of anti-biotics such as methicillin, and penicillin.  Since this strain of Staph is so difficult to treat it’s important to take every precaution in regards to our health. Other nasty viruses can also live on your cell phone including E. coli, influenza and meningitis-causing microorganisms.

Groups at greater risk for infection are:
•    Children
•    College students living in dorms
•    Soldiers
•    Women who are pregnant
•    The elderly
•    Frequenters of gyms

How to Reduce Exposure to MRSA Infection From Cell Phone

Ditching your cell phone or using it less is simply not an option, your cell phone is a vital part of your day whether you are a politician, a surgeon, a busy mom or in the 8^th grade. Therefore, the smartest thing to do is clean cell phones regularly, wiping down their surfaces including screens and keypads with a disinfectant or other cleaning solution (but make sure to not damage your cell phone in the process).

By incorporating “mobile hygiene” into your daily routine, just like checking your Facebook is now part of your routine, you are reducing the germs that build up on your phone, and your exposure to virulent bacteria every time you make a call or receive a text. 

Clean your cell phone regularly, and enjoy a healthier mobile communication experience.

Have you gotten sick and suspect your cell phone as the possible cause?

To learn more about Mobile Hygiene tips, visit www.mobilehygiene.org 

Standford Study: Pathogens on Touchscreen Phones Are Health Hazard

The body of research about bacteria accumulation on cell phones is growing. Earlier this month a study  by Timothy Julian of Stanford University warned of the alarming rate of bacterial growth on touchscreen phones and the potential for their users to contract dangerous infections like staph, salmonella, E.coli, or influenza viruses. The study was published by The Journal of Applied Microbiology in July of this year.

Like any other cell phone or handheld device, a touchscreen is sure to gather germs, bacterial, oils and even makeup from daily use. Now PhD candidate Tim Julian's research shows touchscreen phones and devices such as the iPad are an even bigger breeding ground for germs, showing that if a virus is present on a touchscreen surface, at least 30% will get on your fingertips and can be easily transferred to your hands, face, and mouth. Not to mention if you do have a touchscreen, it’s probably a multimedia device like an iPhone or iPad that you’re sharing with friends, showing them videos, apps and all the cool things your phone can do. 

The Solution? 

It's a smart idea to take a moment from your digital lifestyle and attend to your personal hygiene. Now that cell phones are such an integral part of our daily lives, it makes sense to clean it once in a while and prevent germs from getting on the phone and ultimately, from reaching your mouth, face and hands during every call or text. Even the most mundane action like setting your phone down on a table at a coffee shop, or throwing it in your purse next to loose change and other item, means picking up germs that aren’t your own and are potentially hazardous to your health. 

Do you own a touchscreen phone or other mobile device? Are you finding fingerprints, oils and smudges all over it?  

iPhone photo via Urban Dirty / Pad photo via Simon Chow/Flickr

Pregnancy Goes Mobile

What Mobile-Savvy Moms-To-Be Should Know About Cell Phones

Today’s expecting moms have more technological know-how and access to information and tips about pregnancy than any previous generation. Thousands of websites, blogs and convenient mobile apps that live in your pocket are at pregnant women’s disposal to digitize and personalize the incredibly rewarding experience of bringing a child into the world.

From tracking baby motions to contraction timers to over 50 other useful related apps pregnancy has indeed gone mobile. Many women are even now tweeting and live-blogging their deliveries live.

But one thing that hasn't changed is the increased infection risks and complications pregnant women face while expecting a child. It is well known that pregnant women are more likely to become severely ill from a flu infection than women who are not pregnant and the CDC puts them in the category ofhigh risk for flu complications.

Germs on Cell Phones

Since research has shown an average cell phone can be dirtier than a public toilet seat or door handle, catching a nasty flu or staph infection from a dirty cell phone while timing contractions using Birth Buddy or some other app  on the way to the hospital is a real and tragic possibility.

Aside from mobile apps, expecting moms in 2010 and beyond are likely to be on their cell phone on the way to the hospital on the special day, and otherwise use their cell phone throughout their pregnancy to stay connected to their doctors, friends and family, social networks and more. It’s important for the device they’re holding against their face, near their mouth and ears and use throughout the day to be clean.

Knowing their cell phone gathers germs and bacteria from all sorts of places, smart moms-to-be are wise to practice “mobile hygiene” regularly, and incorporate it into their daily routine by cleaning their cell phone every day or every week.

As an expecting mom, what precautions have you taken to protect your health and hygiene during your pregnancy? 

Work It Out: Cell Phone Hygiene At The Gym

Cell Phones Used At The Gym Can Spread Infections

If you’re like the millions of people around the world, you hit the gym for results. Whether it’s the desire to take or keep off pounds, build muscles or for the awesome cardiovascular benefits, exercise is one of the best ways to keep healthy and reduce stress. But can using a cell phone at the gym be harmful to your health?

It’s been well documented that that fitness clubs and work out equipment are generally loaded with germs, and health experts suggest wiping down equipment, work out balls, and yoga mats after every use.

But another piece of workout equipment that is increasingly popular in gyms has been ignored by hygiene experts until now, and that’s cell phones and smartphones. The technology innovations of cell phones and smartphones allows gym goers more ways than ever to keep track of their workouts, listen to music, or chat with a friend while on the treadmill.

As a result, more gym goers are using their cell phones during a workout and virulent bacteria that often gathers on the equipment is transferred to their phones which later comes in contact with the face.
If your cell phone follows you to your workout, the benefits of good exercise may be outweighed by the risks of infection. To maintain a clean bill of health after a sweaty exercise routine, gym goers are strongly encouraged to clean their cell phone or smartphone after use at a fitness club.

By cleaning a cell phone that was used at the gym, workout buffs are reducing their exposure to new health risks that can cause acne or rashes on the face, or worse, a staph or MRSA infection which can be deadly.

While it won’t make your workout any easier, wiping down your cell phone after use at the gym is sure to prevent trips to the doctors and various infections that can be transferred by your cell phone.

Tell us gym goers, how does your phone factor into your workout routine?  You likely wash your hands and shower right after a workout, but do you ever clean the cell phone you used during your exercise?

Doctors: Get The 411 On Your Cell Phone

A widespread pandemic is spreading in hospitals.

Visit any hospital and you’ll see not just patients, but doctors and nurses talking, texting and emailing on their cell phones.

There was a time when medical professionals frowned upon the use of mobile phones in hospitals, worrying it would detract from patient care or interfere with various devices, but today it’s simply the norm.

In fact, mobile usage by medical professionals is on a tremendous rise as over 1,500 medical apps for smartphone help doctors stay connected to colleagues, families, or vital patient information.

A cell phone is a vital tool for any doctor or nurse . But while a great electronic innovation, as a personal item research has shown it is among the most bacteria infested surface we come in contact with every day. The health risks to medical professionals using cell phones next to their face and next to patients is among the greatest due to the environment in which they work, namely hospitals, medical facilities, and in the field.

The virulent germs that build up on common cell phones, which include Staphylococcus aureus, is harmful to everyone but especially to patients with diminished immune systems. It's obvious using an unclean cell phone can also significantly increase the risk of noscomial infections. By keeping cell phones and smartphones clean, Doctors and medical staff can improve patient health and hygiene while utilizing the latest technology in their practice.

As a medical professional, how does your cell phone enhance your practice? What’s the one feature you can’t live without? Do you think hospitals should mandate cell phone cleaning for staff?

Keeping Family Cell Phones Clean

Moms are truly ringmasters, whether it’s remembering ballet or soccer schedules, dinner parties or date night with the hubby, today’s multi-tasking moms juggle a lot to keep the show running. At the top of mom’s to-do list is keeping their family healthy and germ free. We all remember our own mother’s mantra of “wash your hands” and moms today are no different. Now there’s one more thing savvy moms need to keep clean and that’s the family’s cell phones.  Most modern families have at least one cell phone or smartphone per member and odds are they’ve all gone unwashed until now.

Research has shown that an average cell phone, from all the use it gets throughout the day, can accumulate more germs and bacteria than a public toilet seat, a pretty disgusting fact when you consider the various places our cell phones go, including the kitchen and the dinner table. Doctors have said cell phone hygiene ranks right up there with hand hygiene, meaning if you’re washing your hands, you should be doing the same with your cell phone.

Knowing that your little ones might use your cell phone as a teething tool, and your teens are likely glued to their 24/7, it seems like a no-brainer not to keep the entire family’s phones clean and germ free.


Sadly there‘s no app for cleaning your cell phone, but the solution is almost as easy. Doctors recommend at the end of the day, giving your cell phone a good cleaning with an anti-bacterial agent. By doing so you’ll help remove bacteria buildup on your phone, eradicating potentially harmful germs that threaten the whole family.

We all know, the show must go on. By wiping down the family’s cell phones every now and then you’ll make sure the cast and crew never miss a beat.

Tell us Moms, what apps make your life easier? What’s your recommendation for an app that reminds you to clean all the mobile phones in your home?


MobileHygiene.org