Though we tend to associate bacteria on the skin with conditions including acne or more serious infections, recent research shows that some bacteria may be beneficial.
Normal bacteria found on our skin’s surface – which forms part of what is known as our microflora – may help to prevent excessive inflammation after injury. Although problematic if they penetrate the skin’s surface, they are harmless when sitting on the skin’s outermost layer. In fact, researchers have found that some species of staphylococcal bacteria inhibit skin inflammation caused by trauma.
Researchers are excited because the new findings may help to devise new therapeutic approaches for treating skin diseases. The article in full may be found in the online edition of Nature Medicine.
