As summer is here, many of us will be taking a dip in the ocean. But, have you considered how many ocean bacteria you are swimming with when you do?
Scientists have found that swimming in the ocean can dramatically alter the composition of the human skin microbiome and may increase the likelihood of skin infections.
Reporting at the annual meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, researchers determined that ocean bacteria could stay on the skin for six to 24 hours after a swim followed by air-drying and even washed-off the resident bacteria on our skin.[1]
While this isn’t a reason not to take your annual dip in the ocean, the research explores the link between infections due to the change in the microbiome. Another fascinating example to remind us of how fascinating our skin microbiome really is!
Remember a good way to reduce your exposure to infections in every day life is to frequently wash your hands, where up to 80% of infections are thought to be transmitted.
