Are Your Gadgets Making You Sick? (2)
Acne and Rashes
The condition: According to microbiologists from England's Manchester Metropolitan University, your cell phone is home to more bacteria than your toilet seat -- bacteria that can cause very serious illnesses such as pneumonia and meningitis. In most cases, though, a visit from the acne fairy is the worst it gets.
How to prevent or cure it: "If you're prone to breakouts, don't press the phone to your skin," advises New York Dermatology Group's founder Dr. David Colbert. "Wear an earpiece [or headset] if you can, or use a gentle cleanser on the phone before using it."
How to prevent or cure it: "If you're prone to breakouts, don't press the phone to your skin," advises New York Dermatology Group's founder Dr. David Colbert. "Wear an earpiece [or headset] if you can, or use a gentle cleanser on the phone before using it."
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Susanna @ Apr 12th 2007 3:42PM
Not only are cell phones culprits. People should remember that phones, keyboards,even hand sanitizer dispensers meant to protect us carry potentially deadly bacteria. Due to mutation there are ever increasting numbers of bacteria that are drug resistant. Not only are common bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus, E.coli and Psuedomonas resistant, we are seeing a resurgence of less common multi-drug resistant organisms such as TB and Acinetobactor, both of which have a high incidence of morbitity and mortality and can live on surfaces for weeks. Acne is the least of our worries!
Allie @ Apr 12th 2007 4:28PM
Yea i def try not to press my phone into the side of my face, that's just asking for a breakout. Also, I clean the surfaces of my cell with Windex every so often..... speaking of Windex, you could always just use that on any zits you get from using ur phone on the side of your face. Haha just kidding, but the dad from "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" makes it sound like such a good idea.
Carol @ Apr 12th 2007 4:30PM
I don't think germs are dangerous at all. Dogs lick their rearends. I don't think God would design a creature that would get sick doing what it was designed to do.
What MAKES these harmless germs so dangerous is the fact that manmade EMFs are messing with our immune sytems, making them virtually ineffective at fighting them off. Add to that the fact that manmade EMFs are causing these bugs to replicate at abnormally rapid rates, even mutate, then germs become a problem. But still, the problem is not the germs themselves, but rather manmade EMFs (manmade sources of radiation).
I'm ready to give up technology and go back to living off the earth - food, clothing shelter are my only real needs (as opposed to nice car, mansion, electronics, etc...)
Matthew @ Apr 12th 2007 4:47PM
Dogs were designed to lick their rearends. They have a bacteria fighting saliva. I guess thats the best way to say that. Thats why you dont have to brush your dogs teeth. Oh, and Carol what would you do if your car broke down on the interstate? You have no phone to use so I guess you wait for a nice person to pull over and help you, right?? Sell your computer and give up on technology now while you still can.
Ashley @ Apr 12th 2007 5:13PM
Yeah this germ thingy is a given.
Carol @ Apr 12th 2007 5:24PM
Matthew, humans have TONS of bacteria, fungus, viruses on their hands, in their mouths, etc... at any given time. Have your doctor do a culture to see what grows under your fingernails. You're wrong in assuming that dogs were designed essentially any differently from humans. If we were eating what we were supposed to, none of us would have to brush our teeth - human or animal. And I'd like to remind you that though dogs don't brush their teeth, most of them have tooth problems if they live into old age - just like humans who DO brush their teeth and DON'T lick their rearends - wanna explain that one?
Like I said, I do not own a cell phone. What would I do if my car broke down on the interstate? What did we do before cell phones? We waited for someone to help or we walked for help. And are you offering to buy my cancer-causing computer? When God says the word, I will be first in line to trade this Satanic piece of equipment in. Think I'm lying? - you don't know me.
If you think about it - if we would stop being so greedy and lazy and be happy to just grow food, build log cabins, and sew, we could all probably work 2 hours a day and spent the rest of the day just having fun with family and friends. In fact, we would probably do all of those things, too, WHILE enjoying our family and friends. And you want to be a slave to your job so that you can buy a nice car, mansion, CDs, cell phones, computers, computer games, etc...? NONE of these 'essential' to life.
Charlex @ Apr 22nd 2008 5:39AM
If everybody work like this, how to keep this world on going? Here arround me People are too busy not too lazy
Carol @ Apr 12th 2007 5:24PM
Matthew - read 'Cross Currents' or 'The Body Electric' by Robert Becker. You aren't going to believe me - but he's a scientist. Manmade EMFs are dangerous. Still don't believe me?
Consider Rife Machines. Every human cell, pathogen, etc... vibrates at a certain frequency unique to that pathogen - this is the reason certain Rife frequencies are used to kill the spirochete that causes Lyme Disease. This is also how radiographs are taken, etc...
Problem with Rife is - how do we know that the frequency that is killing the spirochete is not harming some other cell in our bodies?
Years ago we were told that formula was better than breast milk - today? - proven wrong!
Years ago we were told too many calories causes obesity - then it was too much fat in the diet that causes obesity - now it is too many carbs in the diet causes obesity. Does 'science' want to make up its mind here?!
The problem with science today is they report opinion as 'fact'. We honestly have no clue what damage manmade EMFs are doing to us, but like everything else in science, until we prove what they are or are not doing, we pronounce them as 'safe'. This is the wrong way to go if you ask me.
I guarantee manmade EMFs are somehow behind the increase in virtually every disease known to mankind - from diabetes, to cancer, to heart disease, to ADHD, to depression.
I hope I can post this link - but read this if you don't believe me:
http://www.newmediaexplorer.org/sepp/2006/04/20/mobile_and_wireless_largest_biological_experiment.htm
The best part of the dangers of computer and cell phone use is the fact that the EMFs have apparently activated the addiction receptors in the brain - so everybody is convinced they could not live without these devices (to their own detriment).
Susanna @ Apr 12th 2007 5:29PM
The comments about germs not being dangerous defy rational and intelligent thinking. What about the plagues: bacteria, fungus and viruses that killed millions before we had EMF's? You've obviously never seen what a necrotizing/flesh eating bacteria can do in a matter of hours. I have. I've seen healthy people die from as little as a paper cut. Do your homework!
Susanna @ Apr 12th 2007 5:30PM
The comment that germs are not dangerous defies rational and intelligent thinking. What about the plagues: bacteria, fungus and viruses that killed millions before there were EMF's? You've obviously never seen what a necrotizing/flesh eating bacteria can do in a matter of hours. I've seen otherwise healthy people die from as little as a paper cut. The problem, without being too simplistic, lies in the overuse and misuse of antibiotics in agriculture/ and medicine that has been going on for decades, not in manmade EMF's. Although I agree they (EMF's) are a health concern with regard to immunity, they play a very small part in the overal picture.
Nikki @ Apr 12th 2007 5:43PM
Earpiece instead? I don't want to know what's living on that. That seems more dangerous to me.
Holly @ Apr 12th 2007 5:57PM
Carol- you live off the earth now a days and let me know how that works out for you. im pretty sure technology is a huge part of life today and its a little bit better. i dont understand how you can seriously sit there and say germs arent dangerous because they do cause sickness, we dont really need the huge speech. and im sure one day if your stuck in the middle of nowhere you will want a cell phone and just hope if some "nice person" comes to help, they arent a pyscho murderer.
Robyn @ Apr 12th 2007 6:19PM
I hear hand driers in bathrooms are horrible bacteria spreaders.
As far as phones, flip phones only touch your face, so I don't see how it could pick up so many bacteria or germs. Phones that don't flip open, I could understand. I have yet to get anything from mine though.
Carol @ Apr 12th 2007 6:46PM
Susanna - I've done my homework. I have been walking around with Lyme Disease and about died of it last year around this time. In fact, I can't even thank any doctor for diagnosing me - I saw 35 of them - each one told me all my tests were normal and I needed a shrink. I was the one who figured out I had a systemic infection.
So then they diagnosed me with Lyme - treatable with antibiotics, right? Not so simple. Like you said, antibiotics are definitely messing with the normal flora in our bodies. This practice, too, is part of the problem. But then if it were just a matter of killing off my spirochetes, I should be better by now. So why am I so sick still?
Because there are pathogens of all types in our blood at any given moment. If we kill one off with a synthetic drug, another one just grows in its place. Then you add another synthetic drug, and something else grows still. Right now I think I'm dealing with candida and EBV at the very least.
But I still think that germs were created by God for a purpose - perhaps to turn our waste into soil. The ONLY reason these germs can rot tissue off is because:
1) We live in a polluted world eating, breathing, bathing in pollution 24/7. Toxic immune systems do not function properly. And you are correct - antibiotics are included as toxins.
2) Manmade EMFs are altering the function of our immune systems. They are also causing germs, cancer cells, etc... to behave in unnatural ways.
As for the plagues that killed people prior to EMFs, people who followed the 'kosher' laws and other laws of God who survived the plagues - it was those who didn't follow these laws that perished. And no, I'm not Jewish - not sure where I fall. But I think the Bible is not just a book of fairytales anymore - that's for sure.
Susanna @ Apr 12th 2007 6:59PM
Carol reread my posts. I did NOT say that antibiotics are "messing with our normal flora" although your statement is true. One can expect that taking antibiotics can cause other complications (ie. overgrowth of other organisms in the body which will lead to secondary diseases such as UTI's, yeast infections even super infections that are eventually untreatable and may even cause death.)
That is common knowledge but there ARE things one can do to prevent those complications such as taking acidophalus and keeping our immune systems healthy through proper diet, supplementation, exercise, limiting alcohol consumption, not smoking, and the judicious use and prescribing of antibiotics so that the causitive organisms or even normal flora (such as Staph) do not have an opportunity to become further resistant.
I understand your frustration regarding your situation. I had a good friend who was diagnosed early with Lyme disease by a Korean doctor who barely spoke English, but was an excellent clinician.
One must consider all sources of infection when someone presents with symptoms that are difficult to diagnose. Typically questions regarding exposure to parasites are part of a good assessment. I find it hard to believe that 35 doctors were unable to determine the cause especially if you presented with the hallmark symptoms which include fever, malaise,and skin rashes (erythema migrans). Unfortunaltly however, people often think they have a viral infection and do not seek prompt treatment or are unaware they've been bitten by the deer tick which carries the organism (Borrelia burgdorferi), OR DO NOT relay to their physician (if they seek treatment) that they have been bitten.
Secondary sequelae are not so subtle and include: joint, cardiac, and neurologic disorders, although laboratory tests are more effective in later stages.
There are other holistic/homeopathic treatments for Candida which may even help with the EBV, such as ORGANIC apple cider vinegar, which is known to have antibiotic, antifungal and antiviral properties. Also, people who are Lysine deficient are more suseptible to viruses. An aggressively proactive attitude and healthy lifestyle is your best bet as well as preventing exposure to ticks!
I wish you luck.
fdpeden @ Apr 12th 2007 7:05PM
Who says flip phones only touch your face? My hands are all over the keypad on my flip phone, then I stick that thing right next to my mouth. Now what was I touching just before I dialed the phone? Oops, maybe I should have washed my hands before using the phone, just like I do before eating!
Old-fashioned land-lines are a little different in that you don't usually put your hands all over the mouth piece. But you never know what kind of germs the last person might have left on the phone.
SKW @ Apr 12th 2007 7:52PM
People like to use the comparison "X has more bacteria/germs than your toilet seat." But the truth is that toilet seats usually have very little bacteria or germs. Think about it: your bum is covered almost all the time and germs don't spread very far onto the part that actually rests on the seat. The only time a lot of germs get on the seat is if someone misses the bowl.
Nica @ Apr 12th 2007 7:52PM
Interesting that there are some people on here who are all against technology, however, they're on the computer, using the internet (wireless,dial-up,dsl,cable, whatever)with the electricity going, tapping away on their dirty keyboards, and are probably going to hop on the germ infested phone and tell their friends about this online conversation they had and spread the word some more. It's actually funny how hypicritical we can be and not even realize it. Honestly, germs exsist, and so does technology, get over it, there's not much you can do about it besides becoming a germaphobe or a hermit. And then you'd be the crazy person who misses out on life anyway. Do as you can do avoid what you can and live a happy life.
Bottom Line.
pdxguy2184 @ Apr 12th 2007 8:18PM
Nicely put Nica
Peggy Parent @ Apr 12th 2007 10:54PM
Cell phones are not the only culprit of illnesses going unhearalded. WiFi is responsible for some real physical ailments, as is cordless phones, flourescent lights or ballast driven electronics like dimmers, and some clock radios. www.lessemf.com has meters that will measure your environment and alleviate some of your discomforts. There are other filters, such as the Stetzer filter that will take the high frequencies off your home wiring (not 60 htz, the kind that is non responsive many times.)Those of you who suspect you are sensitive to these emmissions, go to Esens, on Yahoo.com a health related group of people with hints to cope in this connected world.Some have found through nutrition and shielding, some if not complete relief.Also, www.antennasearch.com will show you how many cell towers/antennas are around your home address or work address. We need to join together for our own protection and laws that alleviate some of this electromagnetic pollution now here. In Europe it is called elektrosmog, and some places it is considered a disability, but here the commercial concerns take control of our legislative arena. Good luck.