Ecology of Bacteria on Skin

[Guest guest]

Interesting article on what scientists are finding out about bacteria

on our skin.

http://news./s/ap/20090528/ap_on_sc/us_med_skin_g

erms/print

There are many more than suspected and which ones thrive

depends on the ecology of the location: damp underarm or dry

forearm, for example.

Staph bacteria, which we all know causes a dangerous infection

very hard to get rid of, are actually of many different types. One of

which is critically important to the health of skin. As long as it's on

the outside. But if it gets below the surface (a different ecology),

like it sometimes does with catheters, it causes a nasty infection

in some people sometimes. In other words, bacteria and the

environment they are in is complex, not a simple question of

present or not present. On and inside the human body increases

the complexity.

My point is that mold is similar. There are many, many types

always present in our air, on surfaces, on our skin and in our gut.

Some make delicious food, others are antibiotics important for

ridding our bodies of bacterial infecions.

Many are necessary for ridding the earth of dead plant material,

etc. Which ones thrive in a particular locations depends of the

ecology of that location. This is why we see mold growth in one

spot but not everywhere.

Mold necessary for a compost pile may cause serious illness in a

human body. Candida yeast infections can kill but it is present in

all human digestive systems, suspected of playing a critical role

in the balance of the gut. What determines whether it is healthful,

neutral, or a killer? That is what our experts need to find out.

This does not mean mold cannot or does not cause serious

health problems anymore than for bacteria. It just means we have

to learn to be more discriminating when recognizing, evaluating

and controlling mold, especially inside damp buildings.

The initial and ultimate criteria in my opinion is how individuals

react (or not) inside particular buildings. Whether mold, bacteria,

amobea or aliens, if they don't feel well they should identify the

source and remove it. If that isn't possible or affordable, they

should remove themselves from the source. Not always easy

because of our screwed up systems of finance, health care,

property liability laws, family relationships, and politics.

Carl Grimes

Healthy Habitats LLC