Is your toilet paper hurting you? These doctors say 'yes'
A spray a day keeps the pain away.
Credit: Kadmy/Getty Images
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We all have our own preferences when it comes totoilet paper: which brand is best, how many squares to use, and of course, whether or not it should goover or under(the correct answer is under, by the way).
And toilet paper can also be a (literal) pain in the butt,according to rectal surgeonDr. Evan Goldstein of Bespoke Surgical. His preferred method of cleaning up after pooping? Abidet.
Skeptical (and clinging to our rolls ofCharmin), we asked another colorectal surgeon to weigh in on the bidet vs. toilet paper debate.
Why using a bidet can be better than toilet paper
Spray—don't wipe—yourself clean.
Dr. Goldstein claims that not only does toilet paper simply smear feces around—rather than actually cleaning it off—he also says it can damage the thin skin on your behind. The doctor we spoke to, Dr. Joseph DiRocco of Greater Baltimore Medical Center, mostly agrees.
"As a colorectal surgeon, there are a number of situations where soaking in warm water orusing a bidetcan improve the quality of patients’ lives though gentle cleansing and soothing of the skin in the area," Dr. DiRocco explains. "A bidet can help clean up without traumatizing the skin or causing small tears known as fissures." That being said, though, he adds that a bidet isn't a foolproof solution, noting that in places like Italy where they primarily use bidets, there are still a lot of people with anal fissures and other rear problems.
How to use a bidet the right way
虽然坐浴盆可以温和的皮肤上,辊筒y work if you use them correctly. One thing a lot of people don't realize is that you need to dry your butt completely after rinsing—and that less is more, says Dr. Jeffery Nelson, a colorectal surgeon at Mercy Medical Center. "Leaving your skin wet will cause skin breakdown," he explains. "The more you wash, the more irritated it can get. This, along with wiping too much, is one of the causes of puritis ani (itchy butt). In other words, the less time you need to wash or wipe the less irritated your skin will be." To dry your skin, you can let it air dry or lightly pat it dry with a sheet of toilet paper.
和你不需要d a whole separate bidet. Our senior video producer, Mike Roorda, tried—and loved—the installableTushy Classic bidetthat attaches directly to your toilet.
How to wipe your butt properly
It's all about how you wipe.
Despite the argument thatbidetsmay be gentler on your bum thantoilet paper, Americans still use the latter—and a lot of it. In fact, we use more than any other country, with the average person going through almostthree rolls every week.
If you are going to wipe instead of spray, make sure you're doing it right. First things first: Stay away from the soap. "The one mistake that's commonly made, especially in people who feel itchy or unclean, is to use soap in the area," Dr. DiRocco warns. "This can be more harmful than helpful and can perpetuate that feeling."
And if toilet paper feels too harsh on your skin, both Dr. DiRocco and Dr. Nelson recommend carrying around a pack of baby wipes or wet wipes. They're softer than the average toilet paper and the dampness is more soothing than a dry sheet.
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