Is your Halloween mask full of bacteria?

It might not come as much of a surprise that Halloween masks purchased at costume stores are riddled with germs and bacteria.

Recently, a team of investigators from a CNN affiliate news station went to a couple of Halloween stores in Phoenix, Ariz. and purchased about a dozen rubber Halloween masks. They swabbed the nose and mouth area of the masks and took the samples to microbiologist Stanley Kikkert at Mesa Community College to have them tested for germs. The results?

"In terms of gross, it's definitely kind of disgusting looking at this data," says Kikkert. "I was quite surprised at the number of bacteria and the diversity of the bacteria found on these different plates."

Also see: The most ridiculous jack-o'-lanterns ever

"The main danger is the potential of acquiring a skin infection such as staph," he adds.

As for why these masks are brimming with bacteria, Kikkert says it is because they are worn by many potential customers at the stores.

If you're wearing a mask as part of your spooky costume, he suggests soaking the masks in rubbing alcohol as a sure-fire way to kill germs. Just make sure to rinse it well before putting it on!

Also see: How to trick or treat in Canadian weather

Kikkert isn't the only one concerned about potential health dangers from lurking bacteria during Halloween.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration gives other bacteria safety suggestions, including thoroughly scrubbing all apples used in "bobbing for apples" games and only serving pasteurized apple juice or cider at parties.

What tips do you know for keeping Halloween bacteria-free? Share them in the comments below.