An expert has explained why you should stay off your phone when you're in bed... which is bad news for most of us.
Phones have become an extension of our bodies these days, as the majority of people own one and use it on a daily basis.
It's gone far beyond just being able to make calls, and honestly, my palms get sweaty if I accidentally leave it at home.
A lot of us are guilty of using our phones too much - you're probably reading this on your phone right now - but apparently, there are genuine health risks.
Researchers have found that the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which can cause infections in the skin, blood, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract, is commonly found on smartphones.
In severe cases, exposure to this bacteria can lead to rashes, pneumonia, and even sepsis, per the Metro.
A YouGov study revealed that around 50 million people in the UK sleep with their phone in their bedroom, with 74% keeping their phone close by at night.
Despite this, research shows that phones carry 10 times more bacteria than most toilet seats.
In addition to increasing blue light exposure, which suppresses melatonin and disrupts sleep, bringing your phone to bed could introduce a variety of bacteria into your sleep environment.
The warm conditions in bed are ideal for bacterial growth, making this habit even riskier.
According to a poll by MattressNextDay, 51% of respondents have never cleaned their phone with antibacterial products, while 10% admitted to cleaning their phone just once a year.
Multiple studies have highlighted just how dirty phones can be.
A 2017 study found over 17,000 bacterial gene copies on the phones of American high school students, and with most people touching their phones thousands of times a day, those germs are easily transferred to faces and pillows.
It’s not just phones that pose a risk. Smartwatches, which are frequently used during exercise, can also harbor bacteria.
In the study, researchers swabbed 10 smartphones and 10 smartwatches to identify the types of bacteria present on these devices.
The results showed that smartphones were the dirtiest pieces of tech, with more bacteria than TV remotes.
Once again, Pseudomonas aeruginosa topped the list of bacteria found on phones, watches, and fitness trackers.
The poll also found that 70% of smartwatch users never clean their devices with antibacterial products, and only 10% clean their smartwatches monthly.
A spokesperson from MattressNextDay noted: "Considering smartwatches are often used for exercise, this shows just how much bacteria could be present on the smartwatches and transferring to the bed when worn to sleep."
While Pseudomonas aeruginosa is harmless in most cases, it can lead to more serious health issues, including eye infections, skin rashes, pus-filled pimples, and headaches.
In some instances, it can also cause diarrhea.
Of course, this can all be prevented by cleaning your phones using an alcohol or anti-bacterial wipe.
So it turns out that this thing we can't live without can also cause us great harm.
... And don't even get me started on using it while sitting on the toilet.
