The Disgusting Fart Myth That's Been Debunked By Science

Farting is a gross yet necessary part of life. Passing gas has made it into our humor, our slang, and even our common myths. One such myth is the idea that sleeping on a pillow someone has farted into will give you "pink eye." This myth likely gained attention through the 2007 movie "Knocked Up," in which the characters all get pink eye due to a pillow-farting "prank." Obviously, this is a hilarious fiction (depending on your sense of humor) that draws on our innate fears of germs from cross-personal contamination. But most scientists assert that you can't get "pink eye" from a farted-on pillow — or even from a fart in your face.

To dispel the myth, we must first consider what is "pink eye." A colloquial term, "pink eye" refers to conjunctivitis, which is the inflammation of the membrane between the eyeball and the eyelid. This inflammation causes the veins in the eye to swell, producing a red or "pink" color. However, there are many different pathogens that can cause conjunctivitis, from bacteria to viruses. Adenoviruses cause 90% of "pink eye" cases, and they're also a common source of the common cold. Other common viral sources of conjunctivitis include the herpes simplex virus, Varicella-Zoster virus, and even coronavirus.

With so many sources of conjunctivitis, or "pink eye," the question remains: can these pathogens be transmitted through a fart? It's possible but highly unlikely. Contagions can be passed through fecal matter into the eye, but it would require more than just passing gas. Fecal particles spread easily, even from flushing with the lid up, and contact between a bare butt and a pillow could spread contagions to the eyes, but gas isn't enough on its own. Farts stink, but they don't spread pink eye.

There's a reason children get pink eye so often and adults get it less frequently: sanitation practices. With such large populations sharing communal spaces, schools are breeding grounds for infections, and risks are enhanced by children's undeveloped grooming habits.

While fecal matter is just one source of the germs that can cause conjunctivitis, children often cough, sneeze, and touch their mouths with dirty hands, all potential sources of the germs that infect eyes. Studies have found that children are more likely than adults to rub their eyes with dirty hands, as a strong sense of cross-contamination has yet to develop. Among adults, pink eye is often caused by improper hand-washing when putting in or removing contact lenses.

So if you're worried about a fart giving you pink eye, don't be. You're far more likely to get conjunctivitis from other, common everyday contagions, so practicing good hygiene is your best way of avoiding an infection. The only scenario in which a fart into a pillow could spread germs into your eyes is if the prankster accidentally produces more than just gas. To be fair, telling the difference between a fart and going number 2 isn't that cut and dry. In any case, there are better, more sanitary pranks to choose from.