Who’s in your clothes?
Love shopping? Most of us want the finer things in life. Whether it’s shopping at the finest stores in the U.S. or even at Goodwill, your health is at risk. Clothes are not as new and fresh as people think. According to Ministry Health Care, Dr. Philip Tierno, director of microbiology and immunology at New York University conducted a test on 14 articles of clothing. Dr. Tierno found respiratory secretions, skin flora, fecal flora, vaginal organisms, and yeast on the garments. Bacteria can live up to months! Scary Right?
Our group chose Ross as our “this is public health” location because people are not aware of the bacteria and infections that can be transmitted from trying on clothes, hats, shoes and other various items from department stores.For example, trying on shoes without a protective barrier can cause a person to contract a fungal infection (athletes foot). What about the spread of yeast infections? Yeast infections are not contagious; however, it can enter the body and turn into its infectious form.Also, by trying on an undergarment (i.e. bathing suite bottoms) after an individual who has scabies or pubic lice, could possibly harm the next person.
Shopping is a public health issue because it deals with our community in an enormous way for the reason that everyone shops.Think about it, not everyone has good hygiene. It is so easy for an individual to walk into a department store and try on clothes. By addressing this issue we can bring awareness to the community and encourage safer shopping. By doing so, there may be a decrease in the number of bacterial infections that people contract. To further aid in decreasing the transmission of bacteria, here are some helpful tips: before trying on a shoe, put on socks that department store offers. When trying on an undergarment, try it on over your clothing. This goes for all types of clothing and other accessories. Lastly, wash what you buy! They are not always safe; protect your home, children, and most of all yourself. So the question remains, what are you taking home?
For more information go to http://ministryhealth.org/HC/Home/Fall2010/Thehiddenhazardsofshopping.nws and read about the Hidden Hazards of Shopping.
By: Jennifer Andre, Gilbertte Berthier, Lorry Beauvais
Wow! I never realized how much bacteria was on clothing and shoes while you are shopping. This is definitely a public health issue. It makes sense though. When you are window shopping you'll touch most of the clothing to see if you like anything on the rack. The bacteria from your hands stays on the clothes and causes others to get the bacteria. When I try on shoes, for now on I am wearing socks to prevent getting any type of foot fungus! Yuck!
ReplyDeleteOMG! I had no idea, nor have I even thought about that issue. I always washed my clothes if I bought them from thrift shops or goodwill, but I never would have thought to do that with Ross or any other clothing store. This is definitely and important public health issue to address. It’s scary to think that just by trying on clothes you could catch something from the person who tried them on before you. This is really eye opening and I will definitely be more cautious when I am shopping!
ReplyDeleteOMG I never knew that bacteria could live outside of the body, even on inanimate objects, for months! Because when you think about it, when people go into FootLocker for shoes or Forever 21 for bathing suits, their first thought usually isn't, "I wonder how many people tried this item on?" Now I understand why some stores have that thin lining in their bathing suit bottoms cautioning customers to keep on their undergarments while trying certain items on. I will definitely remember to reach for one of those little hose socks the next time I shop for heels at Charlotte Russe
ReplyDeleteI am really glad that you guys shed light on this issue. Every time when i am out shopping and about to try on an outfit, the thought of someone else wearing this same garment instills fear in me; and these are just regular blouses, jeans, sweats, almost everything BUT bathing suites. Who knows what each individual is carrying? and as you guys have mentioned, bacteria is prone to survive over a lengthy period of time on inanimate objects at certain temperatures. People, including myself, should be cautious as to what we choose to voluntarily come in contact with. I am glad that you guys mentioned, gave us some precautionary approaches when it comes to shopping, especially for shoes. I can say that sometimes i disregard my thoughts on trying on shoes others might have worn before me and still go ahead and try them on-if they are presentable and "clean" of course. However, despite how they may seem on the surface, there are still microorganisms dwelling beneath.. scary. I really enjoy this blog and it definitely is a public health issue that needs to be acknowledge by all.
ReplyDeleteMy friend works at target and she told me that there are folks who try on bathing suits....BARE! First of all, that's so unsanitary! You are potentially trying on under ware and an infection...YUCK! Those tips that you guys offered at the end of your post are crucial, especially the "Wash what you buy" tip! This has put things into perspective when it comes down to trying on clothes...I didn't realize how many skin infections could be contracted by just trying on clothes. It's scary, but it definitely is Public Health!
ReplyDeleteI work in a retail department store, and I've seen when specific individuals would try on swimsuits, and undergarments bare meaning without their own clothing underneath it. I'm very aware of germs when it comes to those types of things, but I never really paid attention to it with actual clothes itself. My job has a hassle-free return policy where anyone is allowed to return merchandise back to the store no matter how long they've had the item for with or without a receipt. Customers would return clothing that has already been worn, and if the item has no physical damage to it we are told to put it back on the sales floor, this went along with undergarments also; but whenever I'm scheduled to work in Customer service I usually say that the item is damaged and place it in the back of the stock room. My job recently made a change to that rule, and now whenever customers return any undergarments we have to consider the item as being damaged and place it in the back; not on the sales floor. Working in retail changed my ways on trying on clothing, but after reading your blog I don't think I'll ever try on clothes until I take it home and wash it first. Thank you for bringing this to many people's attention, because this is a topic that's not shared enough in the public.
ReplyDeleteWOW, this is definitely very shocking to read. After reading this blog, it really does make sense that after several people have tried on a garment, it is bound to be some kind of left over bodily bacteria. I remember one of my friends mom used to wash every piece of clothing she bought new from the department store. I used to think she was crazy because everybody knows after you wash your new clothes, it does not look the same as when you first buy them. I am definitely very glad I read the blog because now I am very informed on just how easy it is to spread bacteria by just doing something as innocent as shopping. THANKS FOR THE HEADS UP!! I am now going to start washing the new clothing I decide to purchase and be a lot more cautious when I am trying on bathing suits. :)
ReplyDeleteDIOS MIO!!!
ReplyDeleteThis post is for me because I love shopping and trying on clothes all the time and I never thought about this issue.
This is a great post because people have to be aware of this issue before they try on clothes or shoes. However, I think that the store don’t have to allow people to try on bathing suits…… this is nasty…
What is really interesting about this blog topic is that my mother and I went to a Ross this morning, and I wondered about the cleanliness of shopping in general. It is so important to recognize that nearly all clothing in department stores have been tried on at least once before they are bought and that not everyone who goes shopping may take their hygiene seriously. I agree with Yarelys, bathing suits, and intimates should never be an option to try at stores for the very variety of diseases that can remain alive for months. I'm going to keep this blog in mind the next time one of my friends decides to wear new clothing without washing it first.Thanks for this entry!
ReplyDeleteWow, I am completely speechless after reading this. I have always been told that you are suppose to wash your clothes before you wear them, but I didn't think that so many things could be living in our clothes. This kinda makes me not want to shop as often anymore. What's really scary is the department stores that take back underwear and end up putting it back on the shelfs; I know this because I have worked at department stores and I have seen people do it. This is an amazing blog, I am keeping this in mind next time I go shopping.
ReplyDeleteI am really happy you guys decided to write about this topic. Recently, I have been thinking about the condition of my clothes when I buy them. Therefore, I have started to wash my clothes before I wear them. I definitely agree with you guys that this is a public health issue and more awareness needs to be brought to this subject. Whenever I try on shoes I always hope that the employers spray some disinfectant on them at the end of every night, but that’s probably wishful thinking right? However, I think enforcing this policy would be a great and easy way to try to decrease the spread of any communicable diseases.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great topic for public health. People really should be concerned with what they are trying on. I worked retail for a while and if there was clothes on the floor we just picked them up and put them back on the hanger! But what else were we suppose to do? I do try to shake clothes before I try them on and I wash them when I get home. Too many people are just walking around with the tag still on and then returning the clothes a week later.
ReplyDeleteSometime few educational blogs become very helpful while getting relevant and new information related to your targeted area. As I found this blog and appreciate the information delivered to my database.
ReplyDeleteชุดปกติขาว