Health hazards in your handbag

Watching your weight

According to the American Chiropractic Association, a handbag shouldn't weigh more than 10 per cent of a woman's weight. Heavy bags can cause neck, back and shoulder pain, headaches and even tingling in the arms.

Medical symptoms are partly caused by the way we carry them, says Tim Hutchful, a member of the British Chiropractic Association. He says: 'What tends to happen is that you will get a physiological change in the muscles in one shoulder as your body adapts to always carrying a bag on that side. This is why when women try to switch sides they'll often complain the bag keeps slipping off.'

Hutchful recommends using a rucksack to even out the weight, or choosing a bag with broad straps, and carrying it as close to the body as possible. Before you rush out and buy a new bag, see if you can live without some of your heavier items. Ditch the books and one-litre water bottles and opt for a magazine and a smaller bottle instead.

Protective packaging

Tampons, headache pills and condoms are handbag necessities, covering pretty much any emergency a modern girl may face. But if not kept in the proper packaging, these essentials can become the emergency.

Keep tampons in their boxes, and discard any with signs of wear and tear. Though rare, toxic shock syndrome is a type of blood poisoning that usually occurs through tampon use and using tampons where the plastic has been damaged is a bad idea. Likewise, don't take tablets if the foil has been perforated. Keep condoms away from sharp objects like keys and replace them if they've been exposed to direct sunlight as they may have been heat damaged.

Protect your financial health

Identity fraud is the fastest-growing crime in the UK, and many women fall victim after having their bag stolen. Steve Hickey of the National Identity Fraud Prevention Week says people are often unaware of how dangerous the documents they're carrying are.

'If you've got a utility bill in your bag, that's proof of address. If you've also got a driving licence or passport, it is fairly easy for someone to start taking over your identity,' he warns. 'If you have a bank statement as well, you are giving people an idea how much they can defraud you of.'

If you are robbed, cancel your cards immediately, and sign up for alerts with a credit agency so you'll know if someone is applying for credit in your name.

There's nothing wrong with carrying a large bag, just make sure you have regular clear-outs to ensure you're not also carrying around a health risk.