The potential pathogens lurking in beach sand cannot be ignored.

According toLive legendMost bacteria in sand are harmless; however, some types pose a potential health risk.

5 bacteria found in beach sand:

hookworms

Walking barefoot on a tropical beach is the perfect way to relax. However, in some areas, you need to be wary of hookworms, a parasite that can infect both humans and animals. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), some species of hookworms that infect cats and dogs can be transmitted to humans through contaminated sand or soil.

Infection occurs when sick animals defecate in sand or soil and transmit hookworm eggs through their feces. Humans can become infected if they walk barefoot or lie on contaminated sand or soil. Hookworm larvae from the soil or sand penetrate the skin and enter the body. Typically, the parasite can survive in the human body for about six weeks.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

MRSA is a staphylococcal bacterium that can cause skin infections and is resistant to several antibiotics. A 2012 study published inWater Research,Analysis of water and sand samples from three Southern California beaches revealed Staphylococcus bacteria in 53% of the beach sand samples and MRSA bacteria in 2.7% of the sand samples.

It is unclear whether the number of staphylococci and MRSA bacteria in sand poses a risk to beachgoers, but researchers are calling for an assessment of the extent to which these bacteria pose a health risk to humans.

Bacteria causing gastritis

Beach sand can also contain certain bacteria that cause gastroenteritis or stomach infections leading to diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. A 2012 study onAapplied and Environmental MicrobiologyAnalysis of sand from 53 beaches in California found Escherichia coli and Enterococcus, bacteria found in the human gut. These are similar to Salmonella and Campylobacter, which cause food poisoning.

Another study in 2009 surveyed over 27,000 Americans who had visited beaches. The results showed that those who had dug in the sand or buried themselves in it were more likely to experience gastrointestinal illness shortly after their beach trip. However, the researchers noted that their study could not prove that bacteria in the sand caused gastrointestinal illness in everyone.

Mushroom

Fungi are also potential pathogens in beach sand. The types of fungi that cause skin and nail infections belong to a broad group called "dermatophytes" and are found on beaches. They can spread through direct contact with people, animals, or sand, according to the American Society for Microbiology (ASM).

According toASMCommon skin fungi include Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Trichophyton rubrum, which cause ringworm and itching. Aspergillus causes lung infections, and Candida causes yeast infections, which are more common in people with weakened immune systems.

roundworms

Research in France in the 1990s found T. canis to be a common parasite on beaches. This bacterium is frequently found in puppies. People can become infected with T. canis by accidentally ingesting soil containing T. canis eggs. However, the risk of contracting this parasite from beach sand remains unclear.