Got snot on USB cable

[Computer0304]

While I was minding my own business, all of a sudden snot started dripping out of my nose and landed on a part of my Micro-USB to USB cable. Luckily it was not on the connector but the cable itself. Can the mucus somehow start to deteriorate the insulation and damage the cable or should I just forget about it since I wiped the snot off?

 

[mdd1963]

Best to take no chances; seems your only option is to trash the cable, and the system it was connected to, including one or both monitors...

(Is it the first of April...? <checking calendar!>)

 

[Computer0304]

Wait... is this a joke or are you being serious?

 

[DavidE]

You wiped it after it happened, so I wouldn't worry about it.
Check it in a week, a month, ..., and see if there is any deteriorization.
If there's an issue, you should be able to see it ...

 

[Pauly]

Is this really a thread ??
Are we actually discussing your snot ??

WTF

 

[Computer0304]

Yes, this is a real question. You guys know how worried I get, hence why I say "It's better safe than sorry." I have been more worrying lately. Snot isn't acidic in anyway, right? Sorry if this grosses out anyone. And I will accept it if you think this is a silly thread.

 

[DavidE]

I have a very bad sinus condition, so I can appreciate the concern.
Computer0304 is a long time well respected SF member.
I see no reason to believe this is some "new member joke/spam" ...
I too ask questions for something new or not understood by me, check the thread I just created.

 

[Golden]

Snot isn't acidic in anyway, right?

No, but if you have a raging cocaine habit it could well be slightly alkali (base pH ~9.5). It's too weak to damage cabling so you can snort away to your hearts content....but remember : practice good hygiene and blow your nose regularly.

I ask his Holy Noodliness to help you break your cocaine affliction.

 

[Computer0304]

I have a very bad sinus condition, so I can appreciate the concern.
Computer0304 is a long time well respected SF member.
I see no reason to believe this is some "new member joke/spam" ...
I too ask questions for something new or not understood by me, check the thread I just created.

Hey David, thanks for understanding. And for those that think this thread is unusual, I also do understand that this may seem like an odd question. It is okay if you think that it is and I have nothing wrong with it if you do think this is an odd question. Just sometimes I am a bit too careful and it is your opinion on what you think about anything. No hard feelings, ok?
Now, :focus:

Edit: @Golden I do not use cocaine in anyway and yes, I do blow my nose when I have to, this just happened all of a sudden.

Also, I will leave this thread unsolved for any more suggestions and useful facts. Thanks.

 

[Bertison]

This happened to me last year, massively explosive sneeze from sinuses damaged in an accident. Covered the keyboard actually. I get these without warning, very infrequent so I tend to forget until it happens, some extremely embarrassing situations have occurred as a result! So I understand your concern, 0304.

I would think that your cable will continue to work fine, but I would use a weak disinfectant lightly on the outer surface. I actually trashed and replaced my KB, cleaned surrounding area. I mean, these really are humungous sneezes I get!

Don't be embarrassed, it's a body fluid, we all have them!

 

[Computer0304]

Well, thankfully, it was not a lot of snot. I will just check on my cable every so often like David suggested.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Snot happens.

All seriousness aside (wait a minute...), I have severe allergies and have found that, other than being totally gross, snot will not damage anything as long as it doesn't dry in place (and, usually, not even then).

 

[Computer0304]

Thanks Jeannie for your input on this topic.