Beware sand castle invaders that can ruin beach fun

Summer time means fun time at the beach and other outdoor destinations. But you need to take a few precautions to be safe by the water’s edge when the weather warms. And, unfortunately, that may include giving up building sand castles.

One of the most prevalent problems arises from harmful bacteria that thrive at the shoreline in the summer. And while the bacteria growing in contaminated seawater has garnered the most publicity in the past, researchers at the University of Hawaii at Manoa have found that bacteria growing in the sand can be just as hazardous if not more so.

The problem starts with the fact that sewage frequently ends up in the ocean. And yes, if you go swimming in water that is contaminated with bacteria from sewage, you can wind up with a rash, diarrhea or stomach problems — symptoms that could be life-threatening for children, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems.

But analyses of beach sand have found levels of fecal bacteria that can be up to 100 times higher than what is in the water.

The reason: Lab tests show that bacterium in the water dissipate and die off fairly quickly. Not so, for the bacteria that washes up on the beach. The bacteria in the sand can grow and multiply and remain a health hazard much longer than the bugs floating on the waves.

Unfortunately, the bacteria in the sand can survive longer by forming biofilms, protective, sticky microscopic structures that are like bacterial hotels. Plus, the sand offers the bugs protection from the sunlight which would otherwise wipe them out.

So next time you are at the beach, take some anti-sand precaution:

  • Don’t track sand back to your car.
  • Wash off your feet and hands thoroughly when leaving the beach or first thing when you get home.
  • Don’t let sand get into your mouth. Be extra-vigilant of children digging and playing in the sand and putting their hands to their mouths.
  • Sit on a blanket when possible, not directly on the sand.
  • If you bring food to the beach, don’t let it get sandy.

Most importantly, if you or anyone in your beach party has cuts or abrasions, consider avoiding the beach altogether until any wounds are healed. And watch for minor scrapes that can happen in the surf. I was knocked down by a wave and in the process skinned my knees. One of the many times I was glad that I carry a little witch hazel with me.

If all of this sounds a little paranoid, it may be better to be safe than be sorry, especially if you or members of your family have immune system issues. But you can also put your beach blanket relatively far from the water’s edge. The more distance between you and the water, the less chance there is that potentially harmful bacteria have washed up into the sand on which you sit.

Carl Lowe

By Carl Lowe

has written about health, fitness and nutrition for a wide range of publications including Prevention Magazine, Self Magazine and Time-Life Books. The author of more than a dozen books, he has been gluten-free since 2007.

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