Don’t Share Your Music, Don’t Share Your Germs

The friendly gesture of sharing an earbud with a friend to listen to a song could have unfriendly consequences for your skin. A top dermatologist is issuing a public service announcement: never share your earbuds. It’s a direct route for sharing germs and can lead to a host of skin and ear infections.
The issue is microbial exchange. A skin specialist explains that everyone has a unique collection of bacteria and fungi living on their skin and in their ears, known as their microbiome. When you share earbuds, you are essentially swapping microbiomes. The bacteria from your friend’s ear can be foreign to your system and can cause an infection.
The risks are significant. The dermatologist warns that this can lead to bacterial infections like staph or pseudomonas, which can cause painful pustules. It can also transfer the fungus that causes “swimmer’s ear” (otitis externa). Even if it doesn’t cause a full-blown infection, it can disrupt your skin’s balance and lead to irritation and breakouts.
The rule is simple and absolute. The expert’s advice is unequivocal: treat your earbuds like your toothbrush. They are a personal hygiene item and should not be shared under any circumstances. If you want to share audio with someone, use a speaker or a headphone splitter that allows two separate pairs of headphones to be plugged in.
If you’ve accidentally shared earbuds and are now noticing irritation, keep the area clean and dry. An over-the-counter antiseptic wash might help. However, the dermatologist stresses that if you experience pain, discharge from the ear, or significant swelling, you should see a doctor immediately as these are signs of a potentially serious ear infection.