You’ve been wiping your bum wrong – Expert shares most common mistakes

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Not wiping your bum properly can cause discomfort such as anal itching and generally be uncomfortable.

We were all taught how to do this at a young age but could we be doing it wrong after all this time?

Being too rough or simply not wiping enough will cause problems down the line.

Not wiping properly can also raise your risk for urinary tract infections (UTIs) and spread bacteria that can make others sick.

Dr Sameer Islam, also known as the “poop guru” of YouTube, discusses how to correctly wipe your bum and it may surprise many.

In his highly requested video, the doctor shares the proper way to wipe and care for your bottom.

"Your bottom is a very sensitive area," Dr Islam begins in the video.

"It doesn't like a lot of roughhousing, pressure, or scraping."

Dr Islam then goes on to discuss his top tips when it comes to wiping your bum and reducing any unsavoury after effects.

"My recommendation is to blot the area," says Dr Islam.

“Rather than using a rough wiping motion, blot it, as if you were removing excess sweat from your forehead."

Dr Islam recommends to "consider adding water," whether that's adding water to the toilet paper or using a bidet for a gentler cleansing than plain toilet paper.

He also explained the best method for wiping direction saying front to back is best

"If you wipe back to front, there's a chance you can get bacteria in places you don't want," adds Dr Islam.

When it comes to the motion, gentle is always best.

“You may think the more heavy-handed you are, the better, but you can cause a tear, haemorrhoids, or pain down below as well,” Dr Islam warns.

Wiping too hard can lead to anal itching, a condition also known as pruritus ani.

Pruritus ani is essentially an inflammatory response caused when delicate tissues near the anus have been stressed or compromised.

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Anal fissures are another common cause of wiping your bum too hard.

They are a small tear in the skin of the anus which can be very painful.

Symptoms of anal fissures include a severe sharp pain when doing a poo, a burning or gnawing pain which lasts several hours after doing a poo or rectal bleeding.

Experts advise if suffering with an anal fissure to increase fibre in your diet, drink plenty of fluids or take over-the-counter painkillers.

Dr Islam’s final tip is not to use wet wipes.

"Wet wipes will help strip away some of the natural bacteria and moisture inside of your bottom," he said.

"Which can make it more likely for you to have other things like a fungal infection going on in there.”

• Curious Health

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