Dermatologist Lindsey Zubritsky is known on TikTok for her helpful skincare advice and for answering questions people have about skin issues. She recently talked about the places she has noticed people don't wash as often, or as well, as they should.
The culprits? Behind your ears, in your bellybutton, and under your nails. Each of these areas, Zubritsky noted, are easily forgotten and can lead to complications that can make you sick. Build up behind the ears can cause flaking, and unwashed belly buttons can form "omphaloliths," or naval stones.
But the big one to worry about, she said, is MRSA.
"If you keep getting bacterial infections on the skin—folliculitis—you could be a colonizer of MRSA in those areas."
MRSA is "Multi-Drug resistant Staphalococcus Aureus," a gnarly infection that can be skin deep, or can wreak havoc once it's inside your system, impervious to the effects of many antibiotics.
First, people were grossed out by the need for the video in the first place.
@kstallings3/TikTok
@your_m0m401/TikTOk
@t.django/TikTok
Some people thanked their moms.
@planet.scarlet/TikTok
More than a few people don't like touching their belly buttons.
@andrearico066/TikTok
@.jordan27/TikTok
Some people asked her to cover other places where proper hygiene is needed.
@cryptiddoggo/TIkTok
@floofen8/TikTok
Some who work a lot with other people's bodies chimed.
@my_peace_of_mind/TikTok
@patseh_/TikTok
@baileigh98_/TikTok
Others were just happy that they, apparently, are cleaner than average.
@nystripsteak/TikTok
TikTok continues to be a platform where folks can learn from each other, even if all they're learning is that some people are gross!
@GovPressOffice/X
@GabeGwoolley/X
@mikejstarks/Bluesky
@kidringo/Bluesky
@westieworld/Bluesky
@mztee8107/YouTube
@KarenPost-n7/YouTube
@h17636/YouTube