Take a bath. That may be the only solution to a problem you never knew you had. Take apart your showerhead and you might find a black, slimy film of living organisms. If so, showerhead microbes have invaded your bathroom.

The microbes are made up of a bevy of little beings. There are bacteria, fungi, viruses, amoebas, protists, and even possibly some crustaceans. Some of them are beneficial and some of them may not be, since disease-causing pathogens can also be present in the mix. A few of the problematic pathogens that might be found include mycobacterium species that can cause forms of tuberculosis and pulmonary disease, especially in the elderly, in immune-compromised individuals, and in others with pre-existing medical conditions.

Showerheads maintain very suitable habitat, warm and wet, and deliver microbes by creating aerosols that can penetrate deeply into your airways when you inhale. These minute aerosols can carry microbes with them into your body. To reduce aerosols one can take a hose shower or go back to the bath.

Interestingly, all of us have our own distinct collection of critters. No two showerheads harbor the exact same flora and fauna.  Some microorganisms come in with the water and others grow in the showerhead. Water from municipal sources has more mycobacterium than water from wells. And even though municipal water is usually chlorinated, the chlorine doesn’t always kill the pathogens, even if it does slow them down, and with the perfect conditions in the showerhead, microbes will return.

The intrigue with bathroom fixtures didn’t just surface. It emerged after learning about a study by North Caroline State University Professor Rob Dunn and some colleagues. This scientist has done some very interesting work, including studies on belly button microbial diversity, analysis of the population dynamics of human face mites, surveys of household dust, and even a project on the microbes found in sourdough bread starter. It is his current project, which involves taking samples of biomaterials in showerheads across the United States and Europe to begin to identify microbes in the showerhead biome, that has wetted my interest.

The question of whether to worry or not about the beasts in your bathroom is a good one and the answer depends on a variety of factors.

On his website, Dr. Dunn explains, “To be alive is to be, constantly, bathed in life. We live in harmony with most of the microbes around us most of the time. As you Google these creatures, remember that just having them in your showerhead does not necessarily mean it in anyway impacts your health negatively. We think most of these species are likely to be beneficial, either to you or to society. And we can’t tell yet, based on the analyses we have done, which of these species are the good ones and which the bad, nor will you be able to with the powers of Google. What is more, a species that is absolutely necessary for your survival in one moment is potentially dangerous the next. And regardless of what lives in your showerhead the one thing we can say for sure is that it is more likely to be beneficial (and less likely to be dangerous) than the microbe found on your neighbor, kids, or dog.”

Accepting that you can’t get rid of them is the first step. Louis Pasteur was understanding of the fear that these monsters might cause, agreeing “it is a terrifying thought that life is at the mercy of the multiplication of these minute bodies [microbes],” but he was also optimistic, believing “it is a consoling hope that Science will not always remain powerless before such enemies.”

If you can’t beat them, join them, and take heart that taking a shower is just a big social event. And remember this advice from Dr. Dunn regarding the dangers from the microbiotic community: “Enjoy a good shower and stay away from the neighbor.”

Suzan Bellincampi is director of the Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary in Edgartown, and author of Martha’s Vineyard: A Field Guide to Island Nature.