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Are beards just nests for bacteria, or do they protect against them?

Credits: StockSnap - Pixabay

Did you know that beards contain similar bacteria to those found on toilet seats? However, their popularity has increased tenfold in recent years. Depending of course on the end result, beards are thought of as symbols of virility, and thought to make men more attractive to women. However, the impact of the bacteria they contain remains to be seen!

Bacteria lives in beards, like it lives everywhere else

Microbiologist John Golobic produced a study showing evidence that beards contain numerous bacteria, notably those similar to bacteria that comes from our intestines and ends up in the toilet….. This is explained by the fact that many people tend to rub their faces with their hands (rubbing their eyes or nose, etc.) and thus, men do the same with their beards. However, according to most scientists, this is no cause for alarm, as bacteria are everywhere in the human body (an adult has an average of 2 kg of bacteria about their personage), on everyday objects (smartphones, remote controls, salt shakers, tissues, etc.), on our skin, in the natural world, etc.

The majority of bacteria are useful and make up part of our immune system, with some of them helping us defend against other harmful bacteria or viruses.

In a study published in 2016 in the Journal of Hospital Infection (published on PubMed), samples were taken from 408 staff members in an American hospital, both with and without beards. The researchers tested for the presence of MRSA, a bacteria which causes hospital-acquired infections. The goal was to find out if the fact of staff having a beard constituted a risk for patients’ health.

The results: MRSA was less present in men with beards than in clean shaven men!

BBC journalists then conducted their own experiment with the help of an independent microbiologist in order to confirm these results. Samples were taken from over 100 men’s beards. The results showed the presence of white staphylococci (staphylocoques epidermidis), which can eliminate other bacteria such as E. coli, which is resistant to antibiotics.

With Docteur Tamalou