This article was originally published on March 28, 2015.
Turns out, facial hair can be the perfect mask for germs and infections to hide behind. As Women’s Health explains, “Though the risk is small, chin and cheek hair can harbor germs that can cause icky things like herpes, fungal infections, or even a dangerous staph infection.”
New York City dermatologist Debra Jaliman, MD, spoke with the magazine about facial-hair risks. "If a guy doesn't groom his mustache and beard properly, they can become a breeding grounds for germs,” she told the magazine. And, Dr. Jaliman says a beard or moustache can hide symptoms such as a herpes sore — so if a bearded someone is unaware of this condition, he could unknowingly transmit it.
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As dermatologist Diane Berson, MD, explains, a beard can also mask impetigo, a bacterial infection that causes open sores. And, beards put the partners of bearded dudes at risk for smaller inconveniences such as "irritation and a rash...pink bumps and chafing," Dr. Berson says.
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This doesn’t mean those of you who are into hipsters bearded men should swear them off entirely. But, you should encourage a bearded partner to groom that facial hair by washing and inspecting it often.
Click through to Women’s Health for more information. (Women’s Health)
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