|
Is is true that overuse of antibacterial hand soap or
hand sanitizer can cause ill effects. Also, is it true that they are not
recommended for children or infants. Is there any danger in young
children using anitbacterial hand soap or gel? What effects could
develop??
Hello,
It seems that our society has become
fanatical about keeping our hands clean.
Every time you turn around, that there is a new antibacterial soap or
hand
lotion, guaranteed to kill every possible bug in the world. The primary
ingredient in antibacterial soaps and lotions is called Triclosan, but
trriclosan can cause an environment which allows "super"
resistant bacteria to grow.
According to some infectious disease specialists, using these
antibacterial
soaps may help produce drug resistant bacteria. That means that if you
or your
child should get an infection from these "superbugs", it may
be very difficult
to kill it.
In fact, in a study done at the University of Arizona College of
Medicine, it
was found that making a "super" clean environment may
predispose children under 6 months of age to the development of asthma in later life.
So, while it is good to be clean and tidy, regular hand soaps and
lotions offer
enough protection against bacteria, and the use of
"antibacterial" soaps and
lotions is unnecessary.
Thank you, Dr. Mike
This article was reviewed 04/23/2010 07:24 AM
|