Just Look At What Was On An 8-Year-Old's Hand After Playing Outside And Try Not To Be Grossed Out

by N/A, 10 years ago | 1 min read

Tasha Sturm is a lab technician atÂ Cabrillo CollegeÂ in California, and she never ceases to be fascinated by science and the unseen world around us.Â

Recently, after her 8-year-old son came in from playing outside, she had him place his hand in a bowl of tryptic soy agar, which forms a nutritious jelly microbial bacteria like to feed on. After her son pressed his hand into the gel, she incubated the specimen and left it alone for a while. A few short days later, this is what had formed...

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A colorful petri dish full of bacteria, yeast, and fungi, all found on her 8-year-old sonâ€™s hand after playing outside for just a few minutes.

Both fascinating and slightly revolting at the same time, these germs are not only commonplace, but necessary for physical health.

Though Sturm's petri dish should technically be treated as a 'biohazard,' having this kind of bacteria on your hands and skin is normal. Exposure to safe amounts and types of bacteria ensures a healthy and well-regulated immune system and digestive tract.

But just think, this is on your skin, at ALL times.

But not to fear, everyone. Bacteria is just misunderstood - it gets an undeservedly bad rep. In reality, it's good for you. In fact, without it, you'd be dead by now. Three cheers for science!