You’ll never try on a swim suit again when you hear this

No one really likes trying on intimate items in a shop – God knows who’s been trying it on before you – but we take some comfort in the little protective strip that is meant to protect us from germs.

Not anymore.

Philip Tierno, a clinical professor of microbiology and pathology at New York University’s School of Medicine has conducted research on the matter, and he found out that swimsuits, underwear and other intimate items were covered in skin, fecal and respiratory tract bacteria, and worst of all? Vaginal organisms like yeast.

He also found that the classiness of the shop doesn’t matter, it’s the skimpiness of the knickers that really makes the difference. Apparently, the skimpier the underwear, the more likely women are to take off their own knickers to try it on.

However, Tierno says: “The good thing is that most people have a very robust immune system, so they can usually fight off the small number of organisms they may get on their body. The fact that you come into contact with one doesn’t mean you’re going to get sick.”

If you want to make sure you DEFINITELY don’t get sick from going on the hunt for the perfect bikini, Tierno says there are some things you can do:

• Keep your knickers on! And wash it when you get home.
• Wash your swim suit or underwear after you’ve bought it – even if the protective strip is still on it.
• Wash your hands after trying on the intimates.