Netizens were shocked to learn that improper cleaning of thermos bottles could cause diarrhea.
Recently, a netizen from Taiwan (China) posted on Dcard, sharing that he had been suffering from continuous diarrhea since March of last year. Despite trying both traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine, his condition persisted for a whole year.
Upon the doctor's advice, the person underwent a colonoscopy and was diagnosed with multiple inflamed polyps in the intestines due to chronic inflammation. After careful consideration, he realized that the issue might stem from his daily use of a thermos bottle.
It turned out that he frequently used the thermos to hold tea and would leave it overnight. Worried about leaving detergent residue when using a brush to clean the bottle, he never properly cleaned it, instead just rinsing it briefly with water before using it again.
The man had been using the thermos incorrectly.
It wasn't until this year, when he began using dish soap and a bottle brush to clean it thoroughly, that he noticed his diarrhea symptoms disappeared.
In his post, he also reminded everyone not to neglect cleaning their thermos bottles out of laziness, as it could harm health and lead to high medical costs.
This incident sparked many lively discussions online. Many were surprised to learn that improper cleaning of thermos bottles could lead to the risk of severe diarrhea. Some admitted they rarely cleaned their thermos bottles thoroughly, only rinsing them quickly with water. Some netizens even pointed out that if you have a habit of drinking directly from the bottle, bacteria can easily accumulate: "Saliva is full of bacteria, so the water in the bottle will certainly get contaminated."
Doctors explain that the damp surface inside the bottle creates an environment conducive to the growth of microorganisms, forming a "biofilm," which can contaminate the water inside. For different types of thermos bottles, doctors provided appropriate cleaning guidelines: stainless steel thermoses can be soaked in hot water mixed with sodium carbonate for 1-2 hours, then cleaned; however, bottles with an interior coating should not be scrubbed harshly with baking soda, citric acid, or sodium percarbonate, as this can damage the coating.
Additionally, some netizens shared useful cleaning methods. For example, using denture cleaning tablets, soaking them for 24 hours and then washing with dish soap, which was highly rated for effectiveness. Others recommended using enzyme-based dish soaps made for pets or babies, as these create less foam and can quickly clean with just warm water.
This incident serves as a reminder that small daily habits, such as cleaning thermos bottles, can have a big impact on health. Experts recommend that, no matter the type of water bottle used, everyone should maintain the habit of cleaning it regularly and thoroughly to ensure safe drinking water and avoid health risks.