# Is it possible to contract a disease through contact with my own fecal matter? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 12, 2016, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-contract-a-disease-through-contact-with-my-own-fecal-matter/748747 "2016-03-12T16:25:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Showing post:** 14
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2016, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-contract-a-disease-through-contact-with-my-own-fecal-matter/748747/14 "2016-03-13T13:52:55Z")
Depends what you mean by ‘contract’ a disease - if you got your own fecal matter in your own eyes, it could certainly cause an infection. If you got your own fecal matter in your own bloodstream, it might be something serious. \*\*Stranger on a Train \*\*made a good post elsewhere: > [@To what extent does the skin permit germs to pass through?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-does-the-skin-permit-germs-to-pass-through/746003/2): > > In general, unbroken dry skin is generally impermeable to most bacteria and viruses, as well as inorganic substances that are suspended in or accompanied by a solvent. However, water is a mild solvent, and continuous suspension in water will make the skin somewhat more permeable, as well as playing host to various organisms, including fungus and anaerobic bacteria which can breach the stratum corner and expose the living tissue underneath to infection. This is the reason that scratches and abrasions should be kept clean and covered. > > Stranger --- _[View the full topic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-contract-a-disease-through-contact-with-my-own-fecal-matter/748747)._