This may look like a mud-covered swamp creature, but it’s actually a kid enjoying Mud Day, an annual summer tradition at Nankin Mills Park in Wayne County, Michigan. Each July, thousands of people wallow, slide, and stomp around in a 21 by 46 meter (70 by 150 foot) mud-filled pit.
“It’s been one of the county’s most successful events,” says Beth Hughes, a representative of Wayne County. “The kids just love it.”
It might look like a lot of fun to dive into a huge pool of mud. But is this dirty activity safe? In general, mud is mostly harmless, says Steven Davis, a dermatologist (doctor who treats diseases of the skin) in San Antonio, Texas. But mud can contain things like mold and bacteria that can cause infections. If you’re planning on diving into the mud anytime soon, try to avoid getting it in your mouth, eyes, or nose, warns Davis. Also, wash off really well when you’re finished. And if you have an open cut, the safest bet is to just stay out of the mud.
In some cases, covering your body with mud can actually be a good thing. Some mud, like that from the Dead Sea in the Middle East, is rich in elements that could be beneficial for the skin, such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, and chlorine. It’s also why some spas offer mud baths as a beauty treatment.
“One of the reasons why people lie in the Dead Sea or cover themselves in mud is that the minerals in it may reduce inflammation, or swelling,” says Davis. A layer of mud may also act as a seal on the skin to trap in moisture. Besides that, the warmth of a mud bath just makes people feel good.