Um, ouch.
By Nicole Weaver — Written on Mar 31, 2015
A lot of women are into beards on men — and with good, scientific reason. A beard can transform any baby-faced guy into more of a macho man and that can be enticing. (I mean: Have you seen Zac Efron with a beard? Vast improvement!) But now there's shocking news that affects the health of ladies who love lumbersexuals everywhere:
Your man's beard might be giving you an infection.
That's right, you not only have to worry about protecting yourself from STDs when having sex or kissing, but now you have to be leery of men who like to grow out their facial hair, too.
"If a guy doesn't groom his mustache and beard properly, they can become a breeding grounds for germs," Debra Jaliman, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City tells Woman's Health.
So what kind of infections can an unhygienic bearded guy give you? You can get herpes, fungal infections, or even a dangerous staph infection. So think twice about rubbing against his beard if you don't know how often he washes it.
A risk of infection isn't the only downside of dating a guy who is more on the furry side. His facial hair could also rub you the wrong way to the point where it affects your own skin.
"A bristly beard can cause irritation and a rash when rubbed against his partner's face, which can trigger pink bumps and chafing," explains New York City dermatologist Diane Berson, M.D. to Women's Health.
Ouch. Be careful out there — it's a scary world!
