Link: Old Makeup, Habits Can Lead To Infections – Medical Alert News Story – WBAL Baltimore.
MRSA is spread by touch, it can get inside a microscopic cut, a pimple or any open wound and it thrives on heat and moisture, doctors said. The infected area can become hot, red, oozing and enlarged. If left untreated, the infection can spread to the bloodstream and lead to death.
But doctors said there are ways to help control the bacteria.
"Wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands," Orlinsky stressed.
She said don’t use your finger to apply makeup and then retouch the bottle. It’s better to use clean sponges or brushes that you wash in between applications, and replace them regularly. Makeup sponges should be replaced at least once a week, she said.
Orlinsky said to toss out old makeup. Various WBAL TV 11 News recommendations ranged from six months to one year for eye makeup and liquid foundations, unless they’re in a pump bottle; three to six months for mascara; 18 months to two years for lipsticks and lip glosses and one year for powders and powder foundations.
If your makeup smells strange or looks discolored, throw it out, no matter how old it is, doctors said. Also, if someone wants to borrow your makeup, tell them no — something Dworkin said she takes very seriously.
"I’m worried about spreading bacteria through my makeup, which is why I tend not to offer it up to people," she said.
