The hazards of antibacterial soap

Common knowledge is the necessity of washing your hands regularly, especially before eating, upon leaving the bathroom, any time they are obviously dirty.Using antibacterial soap eliminates the 'friendly' bacteria on our skin, and can leave the disease causing ones. The U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services issued a statement In January 2006 stating "…there's not a shred of evidence that antibacterial soaps are any more effective in preventing infections than conventional soaps." Dr. Alastair Wood of the Vanderbuilt University School of Medicine chaired a scientific advisory panel for the Food and Drug Administration. His statement on the subject: "…it might give bacteria a chance to mutate into creatures that can fight off bacteria-killing ingredients." The bottom line: regular soap and water with good friction is very effective, and use an alcohol hygiene rub at other times. You don't want to eliminate the good bacteria, which prevents the growth of the disease-causing bacteria. Rita L. Shertick, RN, BSN, is a staff nurse at Downey Regional Medical Center's Family Birth Center. She is a Lamaze certified childbirth educator and a certified lactation educator.

********** Published: October 14, 2010 - Volume 9 - Issue 26