By Joyce Gathu

Wearing the right underwear and pair of socks can save you pain and avoid embarrassment

If you have had to visit a doctor due to an infection around your genitalia, it is perhaps one of those experiences that you would rather not repeat.

Having to tell a doctor that you are suffering from an itchy anus, or that your vagina has a smelly discharge, takes a lot of confidence.

It is even worse if the doctor asks to examine your genitalia.

“I remember sitting in a consultation room with a doctor. After I had mastered enough courage to tell him about my itching anus, I thought I would simply get a prescription,” Mary Mbatia recalls.

“You can imagine my surprise when the doctor, who was young enough to be my son, informed me  he needed to examine the offending area,” she explains.

This is an experience that Mbatia, and many others, could have avoided by taking measures such as ensuring that their undergarments are well washed and aired to kill bacteria.

“Although there are other contributing factors to infections around the genitalia,wearing the right underwear significantly reduces your chances of getting an infection, or fanning an existing one,” Tabitha Mulinya, a nurse in Nairobi, explains.

 

pain of ‘fancy’

Mulinya says that women prefer to wear fancy and tight fitting underwear popularly known as ‘thongs’, not knowing that they create plenty of room for infection.

“There is a reason why women are advised to wipe from the front going backwards after they have relieved themselves. This is to avoid moving bacteria from the anus to the vaginal area,” Mulinya expounds.

While echoing her sentiments, Dr Paul Mwendwa, a gynaecologist in Nairobi, explains that a thong rubs against the vagina and anus, and chances are high that bacteria will be transmitted from the anus to the vagina.

Don’t recycle

Dr Mwendwa says that a ‘good’ bacteria known as Lactobacillus, is usually concentrated around the vagina and helps keep harmful bacteria at bay.

“Infection-causing bacteria around the vagina lowers the amount of lactobacilli, leaving you vulnerable to a plethora of other infections, including yeast infection,” he says.

He further lays emphasis on the need to wear clean underwear.

“It will shock you just how easily a good number of men will recycle underwear, totally disregarding the fact that harmful bacteria enjoy such an environment.

“The groin area is warm and moist, creating the ideal breeding ground for a fungal or bacterial infection,” he says.

Mulinya concurs, adding that the situation is worse if the man in question is uncircumcised, cautioning that the foreskin is often a hideout for dirt and bacteria.

“In as far as underwear for women goes, bikini style are more advisable. Men can always go for loose fitting boxers, which give their bodies room for breathing, and also to avoid trapping unnecessary heat and moisture,” Dr Mwendwa urges.

It is also advisable to wear underwear made from cotton, since the fabric is highly absorbent.

The underwear is not the only undergarment that has health-related concerns. Wearing dirty socks can cause Athlete’s Feet, also known as ‘ringworm of the feet’.

Sharing socks with a person infected with athlete’s feet transmits the infection.

Infections relating to poor hygiene and/or poor choice of undergarments can be avoided easily, saving you that embarrassing trip to the doctor.

 

 

HYGIENE

Consequently, it is highly recommended that people maintain high hygienic standards when washing undergarments.

Mulinya says that undergarments must be routinely replaced.

“People shouldn’t wait to replace their underwear only when it discolours or is in tatters,” she says.

Having a good number of underwear instead of just a few can help you avoid wearing your underwear as soon as they dry.

Every once in a while, it is advisable to thoroughly clean your underwear by using a strong detergent such as Jik.

However, one is advised to rinse thoroughly in order to remove all traces of the strong chemical.

Ordinarily, underwear should be washed with normal soap.

DRY COMPLETELY

Since wearing underwear while it is still damp, even slightly, can lead to bacteria and urinary tract infections, it is highly recommended that you hang them outside to ensure they are completely dry and aired. Mulinya says that the wetness can cause infections such as thrush and other skin infections.

Nonetheless, if you are already experiencing discomfort around your genitalia, it is advisable that you consult a health expert since wearing clean underwear while already suffering from a fungal or bacterial infection will not help you heal.