What’s the dirtiest part of your body? Experts explain which body parts are germ magnets or too sensitive to touch—and why keeping your hands off matters.
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Parts of your body you should never touch
While some body parts are vulnerable to infection, others should remain hands-off because they tend to harbor high levels of bacteria.
But it’s not all about germs. Certain areas of your body are extra sensitive, and too much touching can lead to irritation, inflammation, or even injury.
Keep your hands off your eyes
Touching mucous membranes—like in your eyes—is the most common way to transmit a pathogen that can cause illness, Dr. Oller says. “Mucous membranes are thinner and more permeable than skin, which is why they are a frequent place of entry.”
Touching your eyes also runs the risk of inserting micro-particles of dirt, which can cause irritation or even scratch your cornea.
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Keep your fingers out of your ears
Your ears are lined with a thin mucous membrane as well, so scratching that itch can introduce infection. Your fingernails, in particular, frequently harbor germs, dirt, and bacteria, Dr. Oller says.
The insides of our ears are also delicate and prone to injury. According to 2024 research published in PLOS One, using your fingers—or even cotton swabs—to clean your ears comes with several risks:
- Earwax blockages, which can lead to pain, itchiness, and hearing loss.
- Swimmer’s ear, which is a bacterial or fungal infection.
- Microtears that can easily let in germs.
Plus, the research notes that your ears need a certain amount of earwax to function properly. For truly safe ear cleaning, it’s best to follow expert-approved advice.
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Keep your fingers out of your nose
The inside of your nose is another vulnerable entry point for illness-causing pathogens, Dr. Oller says. But your nose also has its own, delicate microbiome—and introducing different bacteria with your fingers can disrupt its healthy balance, according to 2024 research published in Communications Biology.
The research notes that imbalances in nasal bacteria can increase the risk of infection in general, and it’s also been linked to a greater risk of:
- Asthma
- Allergic rhinitis
- Respiratory tract infections, including COVID-19
- Ear infections (as pathogens in your nose can spread to your inner ear)
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Keep your hands out of your mouth
Dr. Offer says your mouth is another mucous membrane to keep your hands away from. It’s not just an easy pathway for viruses like the common cold, the flu, or COVID—your mouth also hosts your body’s second-largest microbiome, according to 2024 research published in mLife.
Unlike the fairly localized nasal microbiome, your oral microbiome is connected to many bodily systems. The research says that changes to your mouth’s bacterial balance “are highly likely to lead to various diseases,” ranging from dental cavities and periodontitis (gum infection) to heart disease, respiratory problems, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and even certain cancers.
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Keep your hands off your face
Many factors contribute to acne, but touching your face can introduce excess oil and bacteria from your hands that worsen breakouts, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Popping pimples exacerbates this effect even more, as it can push bacteria deeper into the skin and potentially cause infection.
But even just resting your face in your hands can trigger an acne-like condition called acne mechanica. This irritation results from a combination of friction, occlusion (a barrier, like your hands), heat, and pressure on the skin, according to 2023 research published in Cosmetics.
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Keep your hands off your belly button
Perhaps surprisingly, “The belly button harbors a high population of bacteria,” says Glenner Richards, PhD, director of microbiology and analytical chemistry laboratories at Microban International. “It is largely inaccessible, so it remains dirty even after showering.”
In fact, the Belly Button Biodiversity Project found that the average belly button contains around 67 different bacteria species, which vary from person to person—with diversity the researchers compare to a rainforest. And like other microbiomes in your body, you don’t want to disrupt its balance with your germy fingers, warns Dr. Richards, as it can lead to serious infections.
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Keep your hands off your butt
Signs encouraging hand-washing after using the bathroom aren’t just for show: Touching your anal region is an easy way to spread germs, including E. coli, Salmonella, Norovirus, and pathogens that can cause some respiratory infections, according to health experts.
Contact with the anal region can transfer these gastrointestinal bacteria to your hands, “that touch, either directly or indirectly, the mouth or eyes, where it becomes an agent for infection,” says Dr. Richards.
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Keep your hands off your nails
“Fingernails and toenails also frequently harbor germs, dirt, and bacteria,” Dr. Oller says. When you pick at the buildup beneath your nails, those germs transfer to your hands—and then to whatever you touch next.
Even diligent hand washing doesn’t completely get rid of germs lurking under your nails. That’s one reason healthcare workers wear gloves. Health experts also note that long or artificial nails collect even more bacteria, which can stick around even after washing or using hand sanitizer.
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Keep your hands off that cut
“Any cuts or wounds to the skin can also be an easy way for a pathogen to enter the body,” says Dr. Oller.
Touching cuts and wounds runs the risk of introducing bacteria, fungi, and viruses. According to 2025 research in StatPearls, these germs can lead to complications, such as:
- An infection
- Delayed healing
- Scarring
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