You go for number two and everything’s going swimmingly until…you hear a splash. Oh no! Toilet water has sprayed over you.
Now, it’s normal to feel grossed out after such an accident. After all, we know that toilet water can contain all sorts of nasty bacteria and viruses. Even so, panicking here doesn’t help. The best way to go about it is to act appropriately.
And that probably leaves you asking yourself – what should I do if toilet water splashes on me? Well, we’ve every detail you need herein. So, keep following us to know more about how you should act.
What To Do If Toilet Water Splashed on Me?
When toilet water splashes on you, clean up the affected area immediately. Use water and soap to wash the area splashed with water. Antibacterial wipes may also do, but we highly recommend soap and water. If the affected area opens to be a cut or open wound, use a disinfectant and let your doctor know about it.
To begin with, toilet splashbacks are common. They happen to thousands of people every day around the world. So, there’s no reason to be ashamed. It’s definitely gross, but it really isn’t as dangerous.
I mean, toilet water isn’t actually as dangerous as it has been made to look for years. Most homes use the same pipes for both toilet and kitchen sink. So, if the water that comes out of your kitchen tap doesn’t have any bacteria, then so is the one in your toilet.
But then again, that doesn’t rule out the fact that action is still necessary when you accidentally get sprayed by toilet water. You have to act. That raises the question – what should you do when toilet water accidentally sprays on you?
When such an unfortunate event happens, the first thing you want to do is to remain calm. It can be hard, but try not to freak out. It’s not as dangerous as you may think, and sometimes panic can lure you into making the wrong decisions.
Once you’ve calmed down, clean up the affected area. Do it as soon as possible. You can use water and soap to wash the skin that came into contact with toilet water. These two elements are the most effective way to remove any bacteria that may have sprayed on you.
If you don’t have any soap at your reach, there’s still no cause for alarm. Look for antibacterial wipes and give yourself a good once over. Make sure to cover any cuts or open wounds you may have as well.
The third thing you should do is to change your clothes. If you were wearing any when the accident happened, take them off and put on something fresh. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to wash your hands thoroughly.
You might also need to inform your doctor, especially if the toilet water got into any cuts or open wounds you may have. Let them know what happened and they’ll give you preventative antibiotics to lessen the risk of infection.
Is It Bad If Toilet Water Splashes On You?
Whether or not it’s bad for toilet water to splash on you really depends on what you mean when you say “bad.” If you’re asking if it’s dangerous, then the answer is no. As we said, the bacteria in toilet water isn’t as dangerous as you may think. But if bad here means icky, then the answer is a resounding yes.
Most medical professionals will tell you that the bacteria in toilet water isn’t a big deal. In fact, the mouth has more dangerous bacteria than the one you’re likely to get from toilet water if at all there’s any.
And based on that, we can safely argue that a kiss from a beloved or handshake from a nail biter is even more dangerous (or worse) than a toilet splash. Of course, that doesn’t make it any less annoying or icky.
Can You Get Sick From Toilet Water Splash?
You can seldom get sick from toilet water splash. Most bacteria and viruses can’t survive on your toilet seat for prolonged periods. So, unless under “perfect” circumstances, the chances of you getting sick from toilet water are very slim.
As much as the toilet is a place for, well, you know, it’s still one of the cleanest places in your house. In fact, studies have shown that your kitchen counter is far dirtier than your toilet seat.
But all this doesn’t mean that nothing can go wrong when you’re accidentally sprayed with toilet water. If the water gets into any cuts or open wounds you may have, there’s a chance you might get sick.
But then again, chances are very slim to non-existent. And if you take the necessary precautions, then you have nothing to worry about.
Can You Get STD From Toilet Water Splashing?
No, you are very unlikely to get an STD from toilet water splashing. Bacterial STDs can only survive in mucous membranes, and so they can’t stay in the toilet seat for long. As for viruses, they can only survive outside the body for a few minutes. So, there are very slim chances that you can get an STD from toilet water.
You see, we’ve all heard the old wives’ tale that says you can get an STD from a toilet seat. But the truth is, for the most part, it’s a myth. So, there’s no need to worry a lot about getting an STD from a toilet seat. It can still happen, for that to take place, there have to be several factors in play to create the perfect scenario for that to happen.
For example, the person who used the toilet seat before you must have an STD. Then, you must use the toilet seat shortly after they’ve used it. And lastly, the virus has to get exposed to your mucous membranes.
All these factors need to be in play for you to get an STD from a toilet seat. And as you can see, the chances of that happening are very slim. In fact, there really haven’t been any documented cases of people getting an STD from a toilet seat.
However, in the case of parasitic STIs like trichomoniasis and public lice, the chances are a bit higher relative to the case of bacterial and viral STIs. As for parasitic infections, it’s possible to pick up the parasites when your genital area comes into contact with water or a damp area containing these parasites.
Can You Get HPV From Toilet Water Splash?
It’s very unlikely that you can get HPV from toilet water splash. HPV is a viral STD, and as we said, viruses can only survive outside the body for a few minutes. So, by the time the toilet water splashes on you, the virus would have already died.
Furthermore, HPV can only be transmitted through contact with infected fluids like semen, vaginal fluids, and blood. And fortunately, it’s very unlikely that the water that splashes on you contains any of these fluids.
And even if it does, then chances are that the virus will have broken down by the time it comes into contact with you. So, there’s really no need to worry about getting HPV from toilet water splash.
Can You Get Chlamydia From Toilet Water Splash?
You rarely can get Chlamydia from toilet water splash. Chlamydia is a bacteria infection, so it doesn’t live outside the body. In fact, theoretically, you’re more likely to contract a viral STD from a toilet water splash than a bacterial STD.
But then again, I don’t in any way intend to mean that the chances of you contracting viral infections are high. No, not at all. The chances are still very low, but they’re higher than the chances of contracting a bacterial STD from a toilet water splash.
Can Toilet Water Splash Cause UTI?
Yes, you can get a urinary tract infection (UTI) infection from toilet water splash. Essentially, anything that can expose your urethra or vulva to bacteria can cause UTI. But again, the likelihood of that happening is very low!
UTI is a bacterial infection that majorly affects men and women. However, research shows that women are up to 10 times more likely to develop the infection than men. That’s because a woman’s urethra is shorter than a man’s, and their bladder is also closer to anus than a man’s is.
Even so, both genders can develop UTI, and the primary mode of transmission is sexual activity. It can also happen through any exposure to the bacteria outside sexual intercourse, and one such case is when they using the toilet. But again, that’s very unlikely unless you are just extremely unfortunate.
Is Poop Splash Dangerous?
Poop splash can be dangerous depending on what it contains. If it contains harmful bacteria or viruses, then there’s a chance you might get sick if the water splashes on you. But that will only happen if the poop comes into contact with a wound when the pathogens are still alive.
You see, feces sometimes can contain blood. If that’s the case, a fecal matter splashing to you when in the toilet can pose a health risk. Assuming that the pathogens therein are still active and the fecal matter settles on an open wound, then that can cause an infection.
Even so, we have to admit that chances of that happening are very insignificant. So, while it’s possible for poop to splash back, it just isn’t likely that it will result in anything serious.
Can You Get Diseases From Toilet Splash?
You’re unlikely to get any diseases from toilet splash. But then again, it all depends on the state of your immune system and the type of bacteria or virus that’s in the water. That’s why you still have to act appropriately when that happens.
For example, if you have a weak immune system, then you’re more likely to get sick from the bacteria and viruses in the toilet water. But if you have a strong immune system, then your body will be able to fight off the infection.
How To Stop Toilet Water From Splashing When Flushing?
You can stop toilet water from splashing when flushing by making a few adjustments to your toilet. For example, you can minimize the water volume by servicing the flapper valve and checking the fill tube.
You can also try different flushing techniques, like the lift-and-dump method or holding the handle down for a longer period. If you’re not sure how to do this, you can ask your local plumber for help.
Another way to stop toilet water from splashing is to use a splash guard. This is a small device that you can place on the rim of your toilet bowl. It acts as a barrier between the bowl and your bottom, preventing water from splashing.
However, if the splashing happens when using the toilet, you can easily curb that by altering the water’s surface tension. No, you don’t have to be a scientist to do this. All you need is to drop some toilet paper into the bowl.
Toilet paper works by cushioning the impact your poop makes when it falls into the water, thus lessening the chances of water splashing.
Final Verdict
Toilet splash backs are common. And while they’re certainly gross, the chances of them causing you infections are low. Even so, always err on the side of precaution by cleaning up yourself immediately. You may also need to contact your doctor, especially if the splashed water settles on an open cut or wound.