You touch your phone approximately 2,600 times a day, according to a 2016 report. If you have allergies, all this contact could be making you have reactions. So, if you’ve been feeling ill lately, your phone may be to blame.
In this post, we review what the research shows on how your phone could be exposing you to allergens and how you can limit your exposure.
About the Study
There was a study presented at the 2022 American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) Annual Scientific Meeting in Louisville, KY.
The presenting researchers uncovered that their phone models had elevated levels of cat and dog allergens, as well as β-D glucans (fungal cell walls) and endotoxin (toxin present in bacterial cells).
For the study, researchers created phone models similar in size and surface area to real phones, and the “screen” surface was wiped with electrostatic wipes to sample them. They were then measured for allergens as well as β-D glucans and endotoxin.
They also tested the most effective cleaning agents for phones and found that “Combination chlorhexidine/cetylpyridinium was the most effective in reducing [β-D glucans] and endotoxin and combination benzyl benzoate/tannic acid most effectively reduced cat and dog allergens on smartphones.”
The researchers concluded that those with allergens should clean their smartphones frequently with effective methods to prevent allergy symptoms.
How to Clean Your Smartphone
Check your phone’s manufacturer’s guidelines on how to clean your smartphone.
How Not to Clean Your Smartphone
When cleaning your smartphone, you should not use agents such as:
- Window cleaners
- Household cleaners
- Compressed air
- Aerosol sprays
- Solvents
- Ammonia
- Abrasives
- Hydrogen peroxide
Other Ways to Prevent Exposure to Allergens
Other ways you can practice avoidance of allergens is to:
- Keep pets out of bedrooms
- Bathe pets weekly
- Vacuum and dust regularly
- Avoid keeping a lot of knickknacks that gather dust
- Seal food in airtight containers
- Throw out old food promptly
- Stay inside with the windows closed when pollen counts are high
- Delegating outside chores to someone else
- Showering and changing clothes right away after spending time outdoors
For more information or to schedule an appointment with an expert allergist, call Charleston ENT & Allergy today.