When it comes to sexual health concerns, you probably focus on your, ahem, downstairs area, but what about your face? Surely, looking good – and feeling good about your appearance – is pertinent to a good time in the sack. Unfortunately, there are a number of gross things living in your facial area that might put you off ever going near your partner again – don’t say we didn’t warn you!
1. Eyelash Mites: According to wellness expert Maria Trimarchi, ‘There are mites living in your eyelashes; and the older you are and the more oily your skin, the more likely that statement is true. It’s estimated that mites, specifically Demodex mites (D. folliculorum, to be exact), have colonized the eyelashes of more than 80 percent of people over the age of 60. Demodex mites are face mites, and if you could see them with the naked eye you’d see them living at the root of your eyelash and hair follicles – in fact, it wouldn’t be surprising to find as many as 25 mites living a single eyelash follicle. While there’s no denying that discovering these follicle squatters is alarming, they’re mostly harmless, only causing allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.’
2. Ear Wax: Trimarchi points out, ‘North Americans spend more than $60 million annually on at-home ear-cleaning products, and about 12 million Americans go one more step to have their ear wax professionally removed by a doctor every year (and even more visit spas and use other unconventional methods) to get the job done, despite our ear canals being, at least theoretically, self-cleaning parts of the body. Ear wax, which is also known as cerumen, is an oily, waxy substance produced by the glands inside your ear canal. It’s a way for the ear to protect itself. Wax stops intruders from getting into your ear, including dust and bugs (it’s been known to happen), among other debris. Ear wax also helps lubricate the ear, protect your ear canal from irritation, and has antibacterial properties.’
3. Mucus: Trimarchi details, ‘Boogers. Snot. Phlegm. Whatever you call it, there’s a good reason it exists: mucus. Mucus is a stringy, sticky fluid that coats the inside of your nose, mouth, sinuses, throat, lungs and gastrointestinal tract – and it’s there all the time, not just when you have a cold. In fact, your body makes between about one-quarter and half a gallon (one and two litres, roughly) of mucus every day; and that includes the new batch your nose whips up every 20 minutes. Mucus acts as a lubricant, and without it, body tissues would dry out. Because it’s sticky, it also acts as a trash collector, keeping bacteria and debris (such as pollen, dirt, fungi, smoke or whatever else you might breathe in) from invading your body as you breathe.’
4. Tonsil Stones: ‘Tonsil stones, sometimes known as tonsilloliths, aren’t food from last night’s take-out,’ says Trimarchi. ‘They’re actually a combination of bacteria, dead cells and mucus that have gotten trapped in the pockets of your tonsils. By the way, you have pockets in your tonsils. If you suffer from chronic tonsillitis, or have had chronic tonsil inflammation at some point in your life, you have an increased chance of having tonsil stones. People with dry mouth also seem to be more affected. Some people don’t even notice, while others may feel discomfort when the debris hardens (which, if you can see it, looks like small white lumps of cauliflower in the back of your throat), including sore throat, swollen tonsils and ear pain. Because bacteria like to eat what tonsil stones are made up of, stones are also known to cause bad breath. While you can remove the stones yourself with a swab or oral water irrigator and a mirror, or rinsing with an oxygenating or other non-alcohol-based mouthwash (it’ll kill bacteria without contributing to dry mouth problems, like an alcohol-based product can), the only way we know to cure them is with a tonsillectomy.’
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