A leading anal surgeon has expressed his concern over a “terrible” toilet mistake which is made by millions but is a huge cause for concern, as it could lead to serious health issues
A leading anal surgeon has warned that many people are making a critical mistake after using the toilet which could lead to serious health issues over time.
Proctologist Dr Evan Goldstein revealed that “traditional wiping” with toilet paper can cause unnecessary damage and is increasingly concerned about the popularity of using wet wipes to finish the job.
Dr Goldstein told the HuffPost that wiping with toilet paper can easily lead to irritation, small tears and long-term damage because of how sensitive the skin around the anus us. Speaking on the publication’s ‘ Am I Doing It Wrong? ‘ podcast, Dr Goldstein added that wet wipes aren’t any better.
READ MORE: Vet shares heartbreaking sign your pet is at the end of their life
“They are so terrible – not only for the environment, but for your hole,” he said. “There’s so many companies out there throwing wipes and I think they should all be banned. I see 90 people a week [in my office], and I would say one-third of all the people coming through are coming in from wet wipe-induced issues.”
Dr Goldstein explained that wet wipes are soaked in chemicals which can disrupt the microbiome of the area, leading to bacterial infections, painful skin conditions, worsened hemorrhoids, fissures and even fungi growth.
“‘Think about it – we have good bacteria, we have bad bacteria, but they are in homeostasis. They are in equilibrium. Wet wipes f**k that in a really bad way,” he expressed.
“I see ridiculous dermatitis and bacterial infection [in my patients]. Now that they’ve messed up that microbiome, it’s causing so many problems,” Dr Goldstein continued.
Instead, Dr Goldstein suggests installing a bidet instead of always using toilet paper, as they’re far more gentle and can provide a thorough clean without causing irritation. But, if this isn’t an option, you can use the shower for a quick rinse.
If you try this out though, Dr Goldstein cautioned that you should ensure the area is dry afterwards, as too much moisture can cause issues. If you’re unable to do either of these, Dr Goldstein suggests blotting instead of wiping and even doing so in a standing position, to reduce the pressure on the area. This way, the skin around the anus is less taut, minimising irritation and tears for good.
For children and babies, wet wipes might be your only options and to ensure a sensitive and non-irritating experience, make sure to use specifically designed baby or newborn wipes, which typically promise gentle and efficient protection.
Experts say they are fine to use in this case, but it’s extremely important to choose brands free of nasties like parabens, phthalates and phenoxyethanol.
