• Question: what would happen if i covered myself in universal indicator

    Asked by biologybae_69 to Barbara, Matt, Ravinder, Sophie, Tristan on 11 Mar 2015.
    • Photo: Barbara Shih

      Barbara Shih answered on 11 Mar 2015:

      This is a great question! I spent some time looking for the answer because I got curious about it and come across a google image has the caption saying they have put some universal indicator on their hand! Unfortunately the page no longer exists so I can’t link it :(. Judging from the image, it’s a faint orangy stain, which is in line with what I found in a scientific paper, which says “the natural skin surface pH is on average below 5”.

      From a health point of view, I found the following in its datasheet: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed.

    • Photo: Matthew Moore

      Matthew Moore answered on 13 Mar 2015:

      Well skin should be a PH of about 5.5!

      It would depend though as there are disorders known where this varies. In genetic disorders where lipid or protein metabolism is affected it can make one more susceptible to say, Staphylococcus aureus infection (the bacteria that when resistant to methicillin is referred to as MRSA).

      The skin is ultimately a barrier and so PH should be maintained at about 5.5.

      If you poured indicator on yourself therefore, you should be about an orange 🙂 (which can also happen if you drink too much SunnyD)

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