Handbag health check

Danger, danger: hidden handbag horrors

It doesn’t matter whether it’s Chloe or Supre – your handbag could be harbouring a whole host of health hazards. It’s time to give your favourite arm candy a check-up.

Handbag hazard: Size
Thanks to the trend for oversized bags, we’re carrying double the weight that our mums did 20 years ago. So how can we stay stylish without rising backache? Tim Hutchful from the British Chiropractic Association says, “An overly heavy bag carried on one arm can cause muscle strain in your back, neck and shoulders because the weight isn’t evenly distributed across the body. Regularly declutter your bag and aim to hold it close to your body, which will minimise the strain on your joints.”

Handbag Hazard: Makeup
Most of us have a two-year-old lipgloss lurking in our bags, but did you know that your makeup has a limited shelf life? Nine out of 10 women are using out-of-date cosmetics and 92% of us keep mascara for longer than the recommended six months. Optometrist Dr Susan Blakeney says, “You should replace your mascara every three to six months because it is a breeding ground for bacteria.” Once you’ve opened it, foundation should be binned after six months and lipglosses within a year.

Handbag Hazard: Mobile Phone
We’ve heard hundreds of mobile phone health warnings, but have you ever stopped to think about your text addiction? The latest medical condition affecting texters is known as ‘Blackberry thumb’ – tendon strains, sore wrists and numb thumbs. Texting causes 3.8 million repetitive strain injuries a year. Simon Dornan of Virgin Mobile says, “Give your thumbs a rest the next time and opt for an old-fashioned phone call instead. If you do text, leave beaks between your messages.”

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