2 ms·
Perhaps licking of wounds? Which seems to me like a way to introduce mouth bacteria and cause an infection, but maybe it’s counter-intuitively beneficial?
by unsupp0rted 4y ago
Perhaps licking of wounds?
Which seems to me like a way to introduce mouth bacteria and cause an infection, but maybe it’s counter-intuitively beneficial?
- penteract 4y agoSaliva has some antisceptic properties and promotes clotting. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wound_licking https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wound_licking
- purpleflame1257 4y agoIt actually is beneficial, and is instinctive. There's a difference between bites (which introduce bacteria deep into punctures where they don't belong) and licking which places nitrites, lysozyme, and other antimicrobials onto the skin. see here: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(05)63002-4/fulltext https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6... Nevertheless, washing in tap water with soap is probably better nowadays.