# Human Shedding **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 15, 2001, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-shedding/50063 "2001-01-15T01:45:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![insider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/bbe5ce/32.png) [@insider](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/insider)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2001, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-shedding/50063/1 "2001-01-15T01:45:52Z")
What is the average amount of skin cells lost by shedding by an average human? What would be the weight of these cells? ---
**Author:** ![Geek\_Mecha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecae2f/32.png) [@Geek\_Mecha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geek_Mecha)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2001, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-shedding/50063/2 "2001-01-15T02:57:29Z")
In [this](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/000407.html) column, the number given is 40 pounds per person in a lifetime. Not sure if it’s been disputed, though, and I’m too lazy right now to break that down into a per-day or per-week loss. For an idea of what the stuff looks like, either take a look behind your bed or try clapping your sofa cushions together (like how you’d de-dust chalkboard erasers). The white stuff behind your bed and those poofy clouds coming out of your cushions are a mixture of dust and skin flakes. ---
**Author:** ![DaveRaver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/daveraver/32/1078_2.png) [@DaveRaver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveRaver)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2001, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-shedding/50063/3 "2001-01-15T03:06:48Z")
Another question might be: what percent of dust is from skin cells? ---
**Author:** ![Geek\_Mecha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecae2f/32.png) [@Geek\_Mecha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geek_Mecha)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2001, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-shedding/50063/4 "2001-01-15T03:13:58Z")
I just pulled my bed out in preparation of vacuuming… let’s find out! The stuff shows up really well on dark carpet! [sub]Sorry if that’s too gross… I’m in a silly mood right now… ---
**Author:** ![gorkamorka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/87869e/32.png) [@gorkamorka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gorkamorka)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2001, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-shedding/50063/5 "2001-01-15T03:16:16Z")
What, you mean I`m the only one here who does it like a snake? Maybe I`m weirder than I thought…