Contents
It’s happened to more people than would care to admit – the dreaded toilet water splash. Maybe some toilet water splashed back up as you were doing your business, or perhaps your toilet has a particularly strong flush and some water splashed up and gave you a shock.
But what happens if toilet water splashes on you?
If clean toilet water splashes on you from your own toilet, simply dry the area. If the clean water splashed on your hands or face, you should use warm, soapy water. If the water was contaminated with fecal matter, urine, or was otherwise dirty, you should thoroughly clean with soap and water, preferably in the shower if you’re at home. If you’re splashed with toilet water at a public toilet, thoroughly clean the area with warm, soapy water and sanitizing wipes.
What Happens if You Get Toilet Water in Your Face?
Getting toilet water on your face sounds gag-worthy, but it can happen. In fact, it’s happened to me before.
I was scrubbing a toilet in my house with a strong bristled toilet brush and some toilet water flicked up and sprayed my face and around my mouth (thankfully, my mouth was closed!)
If you get toilet water on your face, immediately wash your face with warm, soapy water, rinse and pat dry.
If you get toilet water in your mouth, rinse out your mouth with mouthwash or a saline solution.
If you get toilet water in your eyes, flush your eyes out with cool, clean water directly from the faucet. Because your eyes are prone to infections, keep watch for any signs of infection and if so, see your health care professional.
If the toilet water was contaminated with fecal matter when it splashed in your face, eyes, or mouth, rinse as above and contact your health care provider as, according to WebMD, toilets can harbor a number of bugs, including:
- Streptococcus
- Staph
- E. coli
- Shigella
- Hepatitis A
- Colds
What Happens If You Put Your Hand in Toilet Water?
The most likely reason you’d be putting your hand in toilet water is that you dropped your phone in there.
Don’t worry, it’s happened to the best of us. Let’s just hope, for both your sake and the sake of your phone, that the water was clean.
If you have to put your hand in toilet water, make sure to thoroughly wash your hands with warm, soapy water.
The infographic below from Creaky Joints outlines how to properly wash your hands.
Can Toilet Water Make You Sick?
Toilet water can contain a number of harmful bacteria, as mentioned above, including streptococcus, staphylococcus, and E.Coli to name a few.
However, if you maintain proper hygiene and wash thoroughly after being splashed with toilet water and have a healthy immune system, a small splash of toilet water should not make you sick.
Can You Get An Infection From Toilet Water Splash?
It’s highly unlikely that you would get an infection from a toilet water splash or from sitting on the toilet.
The organisms that cause diseases like gonorrhea, chlamydia (two of the most common STDs people fear getting from a toilet) don’t survive for very long on a toilet.
According to WebMD, to become infected the organism would have to travel “from the toilet seat to your urethral or genital tract, or through a cut or sore on the buttocks or thighs, which is possible but very unlikely.”
How To Prevent Toilet Water From Splashing Back Up
If you find that you’re frequently getting splashed or you’re using a public toilet that is not as clean as your toilet at home and you want to prevent toilet water from splashing back up, there are a couple of tactics you can use:
- Place some toilet paper in the water before you go, so your poop hits the paper and absorbs some of the splash
- Move your position on the toilet seat – all toilets fill differently so the splash direction may change depending on the toilet
What Is It Called When Toilet Water Splashes Back Up After You Poop?
When toilet water splashes up when you poop, it’s called a “Poseidon’s Kiss”.
Final Thoughts
Although it can be unnerving and icky, being splashed with toilet water isn’t generally a cause for concern. Simply wash with warm, soapy water or sanitizing wipes. If the water was contaminated and splashes in your mouth or eyes, it’s best to contact your health professional.
