A doctor has warned everyone to always check toilet paper in public bathrooms after a dad-of-two made a disturbing discovery at a park.
Dr Joe Whittington spoke out about a US dad’s warning about public bathrooms after he spotted tiny suspicious marks on the toilet paper roll.
The marks, including specks of blood, are believed to have been made by drug users who often push used syringes into the side of the toilet paper roll to clean needles.
‘This is a real thing,’ Dr Whittington said in a now-viral video.
‘Check the toilet paper before you wipe. I wish this was a joke too. Some public restrooms have had toilet paper rolls used to clean needles… and then put right back like it’s no big deal.
‘Some people do use toilet paper rolls to clean their dirty needles. Sometimes it’s obvious but other times it can be subtle.’
The ER doctor urged everyone to look out for little punctures, often found on the side of the toilet rolls.
‘Keep yourself safe,’ he said.
‘It’s always best practice to carry with you in your car a set of flushable wipes. And if you can’t do that, make sure to inspect the roll before you use the toilet paper.
Dr Joe Whittington has warned everyone to always check toilet papers in public bathrooms after a dad made a disturbing discovery at a park
‘If the dispenser is locked and you can’t inspect it, make sure you say your prayers.’
To avoid any unwanted surprises, Dr Whittington said if the toilet paper roll is damp, dirty or suspicious, it’s best to steer clear.
‘Don’t use toilet paper that’s not wrapped or hanging clean,’ he added.
‘Keep flushable wipes on hand. Wash your hands after touching public surfaces. If you’ve got open cuts – be extra careful.
‘Your butt deserves better.’
His video has been viewed more than 1.6 million times, with one saying: ‘Oh my God, new fear unlocked.’
‘I could have gone my whole life without being scared of public toilet paper, now this,’ another shared.
‘I never would have thought of this,’ one added.
The ER doctor spoke out about a US dad’s warning about public bathrooms after he spotted tiny suspicious marks on the toilet paper roll
Dr Whittington’s warning comes just weeks after a young Aussie woman urged everyone to be cautious when using public bathrooms.
Chloe Andrews used the public toilet at a riverside park in Sydney – and noticed some tiny, suspicious marks on the toilet paper roll.
‘I came across the needle marks by chance while using the public toilets on the riverwalk, and it was a reminder of how important it is to be cautious in public spaces,’ Chloe told Daily Mail.
She only saw the marks by chance, as the dispenser case fell off the moment she sat down on the seat – indicating someone had previously pulled it off to get access to the side of the roll.
‘I looked to my left, and there were needle marks in the toilet paper roll,’ she said.
‘It looked like the lockable case was faulty – it had sticky tape around it.’
Chloe was concerned that people could unwittingly put tainted blood in contact with their intimate areas, so she reported it to her local council.
Chloe Andrews was walking along a river at a park in Sydney when she dashed into a public bathroom – only to find tiny suspicious marks on the toilet paper roll
‘I’m sure they’ll take the right precautions to keep these toilets safe for the community,’ she said.
The young woman decided to make a video to warn everyone – particularly parents – to think twice about using public toilets.
‘Especially mums, do not let your kids use the public toilets,’ she said.
Her video has been viewed more than 175,000 times – with many saying they had no idea about the marks found on toilet rolls in public bathrooms.
‘No way, I did not think of this,’ one said.
‘That’s so scary, this could be at any public toilet,’ another pointed out.
‘Every time I use a public toilet, I always look at the paper for this specific reason but now I’m paranoid,’ one shared.
‘That’s so messed up,’ another added.
‘I never thought of this. Never using toilet paper in public loos again,’ one revealed.
‘Omg I never knew this,’ another shared.
Chloe observed suspicious marks on the toilet roll in the public toilet
As a warning message to others, Chloe decided to post a video of her toilet roll finding
According to South Australia Health, germs can spread indirectly from an infected person to the environment – including public toilets – and then to another person who comes into contact with the contaminated surface or object.
You are unlikely to get infected from dried blood on a public surface because most viruses and bacteria quickly die or become inactive once they are exposed to air.
However, many said they have always avoided using public toilets or checked the paper toilet rolls just as a precaution.
‘This is one of my biggest fears! I always check the rolls. It’s freaking disgusting and terrifying. So glad that the cover fell off and you didn’t end up using it,’ one shared.
‘I NEVER use public toilets full stop. I’d literally rather wee myself than risk getting stuck by a dirty needle,’ another revealed.
