We know all too well the laziness that can consume you at the thought of having to wash the pile of dirty clothes laying about in your bedroom. Perhaps you tell yourself that re-wearing something that doesn't exactly look or smell dirty can't be all that bad for you. Well, guess again...
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According to a survey conducted by The Derm Review, 21% of women say they re wear their underwear multiple days without washing them in between. And if that wasn't enough to gross you out, one in 10 women admit to wearing the same underwear for three days or more.
How often should you be changing your knickers?
Researchers involved in the study explain that wearing the same dirty underwear on repeated occasions can be the perfect breeding ground for harmful bacteria to develop. And although we all practice different hygiene routines, experts advise that one should be changing their underwear every single day. Elle Macleman, Skincare Biochemist, said:
It might be tempting to cut down the amount of laundry by wearing the same underwear for more than a day. But the health risks of infections, irritation, abnormal discharge, and skin breakouts should make you think twice before re-wearing your underwear for multiple days.
And added:
Those wearing their underwear to bed are potentially heightening the risk of thrush, vaginitis and bacterial vaginosis. While, those not changing and washing their underwear soon after exercising could see a noticeable increase of body odour and the potential for breakouts, or disruption of the vaginal microbiome.
Yeast infections and other problems
Wearing the same underwear repeatedly without washing it can result in thrush, which is an extremely itchy and sometimes even soar rash around the vulva. Bacterial vaginosis, an infection that causes one's vagina to have a pungently fishy smell, can also develop. Dr Nichola Cosgrove, skincare specialist at Natura Emporium, explains that:
By not changing your underwear every day you will start to have an accumulation of bacteria like Escherichia coli, staphylococcus, streptococcus and many others that are perfectly normal and useful when they remain at their required levels.
However because they thrive in a warm and humid environment, they will start to multiply out of control.
