1. Check the list guys!

Whether it was sharing your favourite toy with your sibling or eating Maggi with your classmates during lunch break, ‘sharing is caring’ is the one concept we have been taught right from childhood.

However, there are times when sharing might equate to serious health implications. So, no matter how big of a heart you have, there are certain things you should prefer keeping just to yourself.

To help you make that decision, we have a list of 7 items that should not be shared, ever! Read on.

2. Earphones

Yes, as cute and romantic it may look, sharing an ear cord each and listening to songs together, hold your horses right there. The reason is pretty simple. We all have certain kinds of germs and bacteria breeding in our ear wax, so when we share it with our friends or co-workers, it may actually lead to a potentially nasty ear infection. (And not to mention, it is pretty gross as well.)

3. Lipsticks, lip balms and chapsticks

Ladies, we all know how this one goes. Your friend is wearing an amazing lip shade and you just HAVE to try it. But did you know that sharing lipsticks and lip balms with your girlfriends might actually spread infection like herpes?

Tip: Even if you are the sole owner of your lippies, we advice cleaning the top layer with an antibacterial wipe from time to time, to remove the dirt and germs on it.

4. The hairbrush/ comb

As obvious as this one sounds, a lot of us are guilty of lending our combs and hairbrushes to friends and family. For the uninitiated, sharing combs can actually lead to head lice and even scalp infection.

Tip: Make it a point to wash your combs and hairbrushes at least once in every week to get rid of germs and bacteria accumulated on them.

5. Towels

Again, something we all preach but don’t quite follow. Sharing towels is a big no-no, even when it comes to your family members. The reason behind it is pretty simple. Towels are mostly used to absorb moisture and sweat from one’s body and it does not take a genius to figure that sharing the same might lead to skin infections.

6. Bar soaps

If you think that bar soaps were self-cleansing, you might want to read more into that. Soaps are actually dirty as, more often than not, they are covered in bacteria. We don’t know for sure if there are enough germs breeding on bar soaps to be passed on from one person to another, but why to take the risk?

Tip: Use liquid soaps whenever possible to avoid exposing yourself to germs.

7. Kajal and other cosmetics

Sharing cosmetic products like mascaras, kajals and even face powders should be avoided at any cost. Even if you are going to a salon to get ready, ensure that they maintain proper hygiene of their products.

8. A bath sponge or loofah

Do not share your bathing sponge with anyone (even if it is a family member). It is quite possible to get rashes and skin allergy when it is not washed or even dried properly and used again. Remember a loofah is too personal to share.

Disclaimer: This article is not a substitute for qualified medical advice. Please consult your trusted medical professional for further information.