Don’t Touch That Remote: A Dermatologist’s Hotel Survival Guide

Dr. Charles Puza isn’t just your average board-certified dermatologist with degrees from Harvard and Duke. He’s also TikTok’s unofficial hotel safety officer — the man brave enough to expose the dark, grimy corners of your favorite vacation destinations. In one particularly eye-opening video, Dr. Puza dropped four hotel rules that, frankly, could change how you travel forever. If you’ve ever felt too trusting of that pristine-looking hotel bed or those “complimentary” toiletries, buckle up.

1. Bedbugs Are Real, and They Are Spectacularly Gross
First on Dr. Puza’s list: the dreaded bedbug hunt. Step one? Check the Bedbug Registry — a user-submitted site created in 2006 with over 20,000 reports across 12,000 North American locations. It’s like Yelp, but for infestations. Unfortunately, it’s a bit outdated, so Puza (and common sense) recommend cross-checking with Bedbug Reports or pest control sites like Orkin, which recently ranked Chicago, New York, and Philadelphia as the top three bedbug capitals in America. Who knew you could win and lose the same contest?

Don’t stop at websites though. Dr. Puza encourages a visual inspection too. That means pulling back sheets, checking mattress seams, box springs, headboards, and furniture near the bed for little black spots — which, by the way, are not chocolate sprinkles. They’re dried excrement. Sweet dreams!

2. Treat the Remote Like a Biohazard
Next up: the TV remote. According to Dr. Puza, this little gadget is basically a germ grenade. Why? Because hotel cleaning crews often use the same rag to wipe down everything — including the toilet. So, yeah. That remote? It’s probably touched more unholy things than you want to imagine.

A 2012 University of Houston study backs him up: remotes and bedside lamp switches were among the filthiest items in hotel rooms. Cleaning supplies like mops and sponges? Also filthy — and perfect for cross-contaminating from one room to the next. Puza’s advice? Bring Lysol. One TikTok commenter even suggested wrapping the remote in a shower cap. Not glamorous, but effective.

3. Those Free Bath Products? Hard Pass
That cute little row of mini shampoo, conditioner, and body soap on the counter? Don’t let them fool you. Dr. Puza says they’re loaded with synthetic fragrances and drying chemicals — basically the beauty equivalent of eating gas station sushi. Some commenters, claiming hotel industry experience, even alleged those products are expired. So unless you’re looking to exfoliate with sadness, pack your own toiletries.

4. Say Hi To Your Neighbors — Seriously
Finally, Dr. Puza offers one piece of optional advice: say hello to your hotel neighbors. Shocking, we know. But Hotel Indigo research actually shows that most people avoid talking to strangers out of fear of being awkward. Ironically, even brief interactions can boost happiness and community vibes. Who knew a polite “hello” in the hallway could make your trip better — and your hotel feel less like a crime scene?

The Verdict: Paranoid or Prepared?
Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a road trip rookie, Dr. Puza’s hotel rules are hard to argue with. So next time you check in, do the bedbug sweep, sanitize that remote like it owes you money, ignore those sketchy soaps, and maybe — just maybe — greet the person in the next room. At worst, they’ll think you’re friendly. At best, you’ll avoid a rash, an infestation, and a bacteria-laced remote all in one trip.