Is Using Antibacterial Soap a Bad Idea?

Washing your hands is at the top of the list when it comes to effective prevention of contagious disease, but many still make the mistake of assuming you have to use antibacterial soap to accomplish this.

The same goes for other household cleaning. Routinely disinfecting your surroundings may actually cause far more harm than good in the long run.

Not only does it promote the development of drug-resistant bacteria, but antibacterial compounds such as triclosan have also been linked to a number or harmful health effects, especially in young children.

For example, research has shown that triclosan can alter hormone regulation and may interfere with fetal development in pregnant women. Researchers recently discovered traces of triclosan in 100% of all urine samples collected from pregnant women, all of whom were residents of Brooklyn, New York.

The placenta doesn’t even protect the unborn child from triclosan, which was also found in 51% of cord blood samples. Another antibacterial compound, triclocarban, was detected in 87% of urine samples, and 23% of the cord blood samples.

Considering the hazards, you should consider not using antibacterial soaps and any other product containing triclosan, such as triclosan-containing toothpaste.

Warm water and a mild soap is really all you need to scrub off the germs. Even the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stated that “there is currently no evidence that [antibacterial soaps] are any more effective at preventing illness than washing with plain soap and water.”

The Many Health Hazards of Triclosan:

As noted in the featured article in The Atlantic, the reasons for avoiding triclosan are far from few. This antibacterial ingredient has been linked to:

1. Allergies
2. Thyroid dysfunction
3. Endocrine disruption
4. Weight gain
5. Inflammatory responses
6. The growth of liver and kidney tumors

Are You Brushing Your Teeth with Triclosan?

Besides hand soaps and products specifically marketed as antibacterial, triclosan can also be found in a number of other household and personal care products, including cutting boards, toys, acne cream and even toothpaste. It may be wise to start reading labels and don’t buy products that contain triclosan.

At present, Colgate Total is the only triclosan-containing toothpaste sold in the US, but it’s a top seller. If triclosan can cause serious health problems when used topically, using it in your mouth is likely even worse, as chemicals are readily absorbed into your oral tissues. Colgate claims that Total is safe.

40 Years of Regulatory Inaction:

A number of other countries have regulations for triclosan, but the US does not. Back in 1978, the FDA said it could not make a ruling on the safety of triclosan due to insufficient evidence. In 2010, the Natural Resources Defense Council filed a lawsuit against the FDA over the matter. In response to growing concerns, Minnesota recently passed legislation banning the chemical in products sold within its state. This ban will not take effect until January 2017, however. There’s still no FDA ruling on triclosan, but the FDA has promised it will address the matter in 2016. We shall see what they do.

Proper Hand Washing Techniques:

Hand washing is a simple way to reduce your exposure to potentially disease-causing germs and reduce your chances of getting sick. You do NOT need antibacterial soap to do this, which has been scientifically verified. Hand washing needs to be done correctly, however, in order to be truly effective for disease control.

Simply rinsing your hands with water, or giving a quick scrub with soap, is not enough to remove germs. In one recent study, only five percent of people washed their hands in a way that would actually kill infection and illness-causing germs.

Follow these hand washing guidelines:

1. Use warm, running water and a mild soap, avoid antibacterial soap.
2. Work up a good lather, all the way up to your wrists, scrubbing for at least 15 or 20 seconds. Most people only wash for about 6 seconds.
3. Make sure you cover all surfaces, including the backs of your hands, wrists, between your fingers, and around and below your fingernails.
4. Rinse thoroughly under running water.
5. In public places, use a paper towel to open the door as a protection from germs that the handles may harbor.

Your skin is your primary barrier against germs, but obsessive-compulsive washing, especially in dry environments that typically exist for most in the winter months, can actually increase your risk of getting sick by drying out your skin. So keep a balance, avoid washing your hands to the point of irritating your skin, as dry, cracked areas are a perfect entryway for germs.

For some added protection against dry and cracked hands, try some extra virgin organic coconut. It is a perfect and natural hand moisturizer. Let the oil soak into your hands for a few minutes and then wipe the excess oil off with a towel.

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