Coffee, tea or bacteria?

The above is enough to scare the daylights out of incurable coffee hounds or plain coffee lovers for whom coffee puts the "good" in the morning. Fact is, public health experts have warned that reusable coffee mugs used in the office could harbor countless bacteria, some harmless and some really scary, like E. coli.

Researchers say the reason these tiny (invisible to the naked eye) critters are increasing in population can be traced to a simple case of negligence (or indolence): People don’t take the time to carefully wash their coffee mugs or disinfect sinks and preparation areas in most offices. Over time, bacteria, residue, and grime accumulate on the cup. In most offices, coffee cups or mugs are shared. After using the mug, most people don’t wash it well, simply giving it a quick rinse. More, sink areas and kitchens in offices are often crawling with bacteria because nobody bothers to clean it up after use.

Years back, Charles Gerba and Ralph Meer of the University of Arizona tested dishes, spoons, sinks, cups, dishrags, sponges, and counters in offices and found what’s brewing in coffee mugs. Microbugs! The culprits are the sponges and rags used for cleaning. Forty percent of them had coliforms.

According to Gerba, mugs/cups with lids or covers were particularly effective breeding areas for bacteria – like Escherichia coli, which in its severe form, can cause life-threatening liver complication. Particularly at risk are young children and the elderly.

Don’t you have a coffee mug stashed away in some dark corner at your workplace? Chances are, you have. (I don’t, because I rarely drink coffee.) Well, somebody tried leaving her coffee mug on her desk, went out of town, and returned days later to find what she said looked like a science experiment. She took it to a lab to get to the bottom of things (quite literally). Look what the lab guys found: At the bottom of the mug were molds and bacteria that could have found their way into her morning coffee without her suspecting it.

So, what’s our best bet against these culprits who operate on the sly.

Health experts say: If there’s no dishwashing machine, wash mugs/cups in hot soapy water, then disinfect with a bleach-and-water solution or cleaning disinfectant. According to Gerba, paper towels could help reduce a mug’s bacteria – antibacterial soap has little effect against intestinal varieties. Also, regularly clean rags and sponges.

Of course, those whose officemates are not really sticklers for hygiene (we can’t choose our officemates, can we?) can always opt for a disposable cup vis-a-vis a mug, but then, the former is not really an environment-friendly choice.

Enjoy your coffee sans bacteria!

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Up in arms vs. skin discoloration

Care to listen to some hairy tales? Plucking – or shaving – underarm hair is a common Pinoy habit, it’s almost like a "bare necessity."

"While plucking gets hair at the roots, it causes temporary red bumps and results in ingrown hair follicles," says skin authority Dr. Gertrude Chan, president of the Philippine Dermatological Research and Testing Foundation. "This is a very common condition among women and is caused by many factors, both controlled and uncontrolled."

Dr. Chan cites genetics as a major factor: Asian skin is more prone to skin darkening than other races. Women also suffer from hormonal imbalance before and after their monthly period so underarms become darker than normal during these times. Then there’s the regular practice of plucking and shaving the underarm hair.

Like the face, notes Dr. Chan, underarm skin also needs proper cleansing and moisturizing, especially after plucking or shaving.

Thus, arm yourself with these tips on proper underarm care, from Dr. Chan and the makers of Rexona Pro Balance with Sunflower Oil, a revolutionary deodorant which contains vitamin E to protect and moisturize skin, and linoleic acid to neutralize free radicals:

• Be gentle. Women tend to scrub the armpit area, thinking this will clean and help lighten their underarms more. This is a big no-no. It’s best to be gentle and use a mild wash to clean the underarms.

• Pluck or shave right after taking a shower. As for getting rid of unwanted hair, Dr. Chan suggests that girls pluck or shave right after taking a shower as skin is still soft, making it easier to take out hair.

• Clean the plucking or shaving tools. Regularly clean tweezers or razors to prevent skin infection.

• Moisturize. As for shaving, it’s best to use a shaving gel instead of regular soap, so that the blade can easily glide off skin for less abrasion. Women should moisturize their underarms immediately after plucking or shaving to help smoothen skin and prevent moisture loss that could lead to skin irritation and darkening.

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