NextPrevious

Integumentary System

Introduction

How many bacteria are present on skin?

Every square inch (6.4 square centimeters) of skin contains approximately 32 million bacteria. Collectively, there are some 100 billion bacteria on the average human body, most of them being harmless.



Skin is the largest human organ, with most people having about 20 square feet covering their bodies. © iStockphoto.com/Gilas