How Cosmetics Cause Infections

Keeping cosmetics clean seems like an easy concept to grasp, yes? But look around … Got globs in your mascara wand? Still wearing a lipstick you bought a year ago? Is your liquid foundation separating?

It sounds as though a trip to the cosmetics counter is long overdue. While it might not be in your budget, a freshening up of makeup might well save you money later on by preventing a nasty, potentially dangerous infection now.

Old make-up containers have been shown to harbor all kinds of bacteria. While a good many cosmetics contain preservatives to prevent the growth of bacteria, the older the product, the weaker the preservative.

And the more a product has been used, the higher the likelihood that there’s bacterial growth.

“Most women do have a drawer full of cosmetics that have been partially used,” says Angela Bowers, M.D., dermatologist on the medical staff at Baylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine. But knowing when a cosmetic has reached a danger point isn’t always easy to pinpoint as they usually don’t have expiration dates, she says.

One way to monitor product safety is to take note of the date you first opened it. Keep a special calendar or, if possible, mark the date on the product with a permanent marker.

Cosmetics with the least shelf life are eye makeups such as mascara, eye shadow and liner. These should be replaced after just three months.

“The bacteria can get in there and the preservatives might not be working quite as well as they were when you first opened it. If you get some of that in your eye, you may develop conjunctivitis, which we know as ‘pink-eye,’” explains Dr. Bowers.

Liquid foundations also should be disposed of after three months; any other kinds of non-liquid foundations, blushers and powders should be tossed after a year.

“Some women may develop a peri-oral dermatitis from using some old, expired makeup that might irritate the skin and cause little red bumps that look like acne,” adds Dr. Bowers.

It only makes sense that makeup applicators carry similar risks for infection.

“If you use sponges to apply makeup, you should replace those at least once a week,” says Dr. Bowers.

You can find affordable replacements at any drugstore. And don’t forget to buy a few new eye shadow brushes while you’re at it!

Here’s another safeguard to follow: Keep your cosmetics fresher by keeping them to yourself. In other words, no sharing! Lipsticks and glosses are especially notorious for providing the perfect avenue for transmitting such undesirables as herpes simplex (the virus that causes cold sores) and other icky infections. Keep in mind that a cold sore doesn’t have to be visible for herpes simplex to be present on the lips.

Staphylococcus aureus (staph, for short) is another culprit that often finds a home in the germ-friendly environment of old and shared cosmetics. This common bacterium can cause infections such as impetigo, says Dr. Bowers.
Another clue that a cosmetic is due for a change-out is the smell – any unusual odor is probably a signal that bacteria are growing there.

But sometimes using cosmetics is like a game of roulette. Recently, a large batch of mascara manufactured in Hong Kong was found to be harboring Candida albicans, which can cause yeast infections on the skin and mucous membranes. To address the problem, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) developed a new set of guidelines for production of cosmetics.

How did the contaminant find its way into a brand new product?

According to Hong Kong’s Consumer Council, the “excessive microbial content” found in the mascara can be attributed to poor hygiene during production, damaged packaging, and either insufficient or defective preservatives.

While the U.S. maintains pretty strict regulations, other countries from which we receive goods don’t always follow similar guidelines. If possible, buy products that are manufactured in the U.S. Still, it’s not always easy to tell the origins of a cosmetic.

Here are some safety tips for cosmetic use provided by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration:

• Follow directions on the label carefully, including all “Cautions” and “Warnings.”
• Keep makeup closed tight when not in use.
• Wash your hands before you put on makeup.
• Do not put on makeup while you are driving.
• Do not share makeup with anyone else.
• Do not add liquid to makeup.
• Stop using a product if you get a rash or other problem where you are using it.
• Throw away makeup if the color changes.
• Throw away makeup if it gets an odor.
• Be extra careful not to keep mascara too long. Some companies say three months is long enough.
• Do not use eye makeup when you have an eye infection; throw away eye makeup you were using when you got the infection.
• Keep makeup out of the sun and heat.

And if you have an adverse reaction to a cosmetic — develop a rash, irritation or infection — see your doctor right away.

Choosing the Right Athletic Shoe

Fashionable, trendy and priced just right — what more could a woman want in an athletic shoe? Plenty! Before you let the salesperson swipe your credit card, consider this: medical experts point to inappropriate footwear as the “sole” cause of many a woman’s foot discomfort.

Wearing tennis shoes for your morning run? Well, there’s a good reason they’re called “tennis” shoes. Wearing cross trainers out on the tennis court? You get the picture.

“We see patients all the time wearing inappropriate shoes for the activity,” said Christian Royer, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon specializing in foot and ankle surgery on staff at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas.

Understanding the needs of your individual feet is paramount in choosing the correct athletic shoe and preventing workout-related foot injuries and conditions such as corns, bunions, hammertoes or worse. Thanks to modern technology, protecting your soles is practically an exact science.

“Individuals today have better and more customized choices in footwear that address the specific needs of his or her feet,” according to Harold Glickman, M.D., a podiatrist and member of the American Podiatric Medical Association.

With all the new innovations in footwear — fabrics, linings, cushions, insoles and arch supports — finding the right shoe can be a bit daunting. Accomplishing the task properly requires a little pre-shopping foot knowledge.

What’s your foot type?

There are the arch types:
1. Low-arched
2. Medium-arched
3. High-arched

(If you’re not sure what type of arch you have, try this: Fill your bathtub with a small amount of water. Dip your foot into the water; then step onto a piece of dry cardboard. Look at the footprint — can you see most of the print? If so, you likely have a low-arched foot. Can’t see very much of the footprint? Then you likely have high arches.)

There are the pronation types; when you walk does your foot roll inward, outward or straight? Per runnersworld.com, here are the 3 types:

1. Normal Pronation: “The outside part of the heel makes initial contact with the ground. The foot “rolls” inward about five percent, comes in complete contact with the ground, and can support your body weight without any problem. The rolling in of the foot optimally distributes the forces of impact. This movement is called “pronation,” and it’s critical to proper shock absorption. At the end of the gait cycle, you push off evenly from the front of the foot.”

2. Overpronation: “As with the ‘normal pronation’ sequence, the outside of the heel makes the initial ground contact. However, the foot rolls inward more than the ideal five percent, which is called ‘overpronation.’ This means the foot and ankle have problems stabilizing the body, and shock isn’t absorbed as efficiently. At the end of the gait cycle, the front of the foot pushes off the ground using mainly the big toe and second toe, which then must do all the work.”

3. Underpronation: “Again, the outside of the heel makes initial contact with the ground. But the inward movement of the foot occurs at less than four percent (i.e., there is less rolling in than for those with normal or flat feet). Consequently, forces of impact are concentrated on a smaller area of the foot (the outside part), and are not distributed as efficiently. In the push-off phase, most of the work is done by the smaller toes on the outside of the foot.”

Armed with this info, athletic shoe manufacturers design running and walking shoes to meet the required functionality for each type of foot:

1. Motion control: Best for low-arched feet, this type of athletic shoe is typically the most rigid and resistant to twisting and bending of all three styles
2. Stability: Best for medium-arched feet (also considered “normal feet”), this type has a slight curve to the shape of the shoe.
3. Neutral: Best for the high-arched foot, this design is more flexible and less resistant to twisting and bending.
4. And then there are the shoes for each type of pronation, too.

Sizing up the matter
If the shoe fits, then buy it. But first make sure that it truly does fit. Buying shoes too small is a common problem, according to Dr. Royer.

“People don’t realize that their shoe size changes over time and that their foot can get bigger and wider as time goes on,” says Dr. Royer. “And most people haven’t had their foot measured in years.”

Just because you were a size 6 a decade ago doesn’t mean you still are. Foot sizes tend to fluctuate through the years, and oftentimes through the day, as well.

“Don’t believe in the myth of breaking the shoe in,” advises Dr. Royer. “If the shoe doesn’t feel good in the store, no matter how good it looks, you need to get a different shoe.”

Dr. Samuel Nava, Jr., a partner with Southwest Podiatry in Dallas, Texas and spokesperson for the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, shares with The Savvy Gal readers tips for selecting the proper athletic shoe:

1. As with all shoes, buy your athletic shoes at the end of the day after your feet have done their natural swelling.
2. Be measured. Buy shoes that are the proper width and length. You want at least one thumb width at the end of the shoes when standing between the tip of the big toe and the shoe.
3. Buy activity-specific shoes. For example, if you are running or walking, a running shoe would work best as they are made for forward motion. A court shoe works best for activities that require side-to-side motion such as basketball, tennis etc.
4. When considering running shoes, look for the specific type of shoe for your foot type. For example, if one overpronates (the foot rolls in), get a motion-control shoe. Your foot and ankle surgeon can evaluate your gait, the way you walk or run, and recommend the type of running shoe needed.

There are professional shoe salespeople who also can help “diagnose” your foot type and assist in the choosing of the proper shoe. One such company, and there are probably many, is Fleet Feet. A salesperson will watch you walk and suggest shoes best suited for you. If you need help, you can seek out these types of stores.

Remember — your feet must last a lifetime. The average American walks or runs approximately 75,000 miles by their 50th birthday; this fact underscores just how important it is to select the right athletic shoe.