5 Fixes for a Better Beach Trip

5. MRSA
Last year a researcher announced that MRSA, an antibiotic-resistant bacterium that can cause persistent, sometimes fatal, infections, has been found in ocean sand and water. It’s not clear if the germ’s more prevalent along the shore now than in the past, or if there’s an environmental connection. But it’s definitely not the beach souvenir you want to bring home.

What to do:
Take a quick shower before and after you spend time on the beach or in the ocean. You don’t need to use chemical-laden, polluting soaps, either. Castile-based soap and warm water have been proven to be just as effective at killing germs as antimicrobial blends (which contribute to the rise of resistant germs like MRSA). Also, be sure to wash your bathing suit before wearing it again. If you have a wound, it’s best not to swim in the ocean because the break in your skin provides a direct entry point for germs to get into your system.