Good hygiene can kill you

[aaron]

several "potential negative consequences" of these products (antibacterial soaps), including weakening the immune system, which could lead to a greater chance of allergies in children, and their possible link to the emergence of antibiotic resistance -- the very problem that is making some diseases, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, so difficult to treat.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/09/AR2007110902114.html

[Manon]

interesting. the same point was made in george carlin's stand-up bit a few years back, if anyone else remembers hearing it.

[fuzzis]

Try finding a soap that's not antibacterial...

*sigh*

[ComputerDude]

Try finding an antibacterial hand soap...

*sigh*Try finding, or try NOT finding?

[fuzzis]

Try finding, or try NOT finding?

Yeah, sorry. It's early.

Try finding a handsoap that is not antibacterial. It's an exercise in patience....and frustration.

[mac]

You need to go to a health store or a hippie store. Both will have lots of alternatives.

I knew that taking antibiotics could do this, and that we were getting some extras with our chicken, etc. But soap? Just rubbing antibacterial soap on my hands?

I'm not sure which is worse-- being a little more resistant to antibiotics, or catching something scary in the bathroom because I didn't wash my hands.

[ComputerDude]

I was told by my doctor a few years ago to switch to anti-bacterial because after we moved here, I was getting terribly infection boils. One that needed to be cut open and drained (yeah, sorry) so I've been using it ever since.
However I've also had the absolute worst immune system since moving here as well. I wonder if the two are connected?

[fuzzis]

You need to go to a health store or a hippie store. Both will have lots of alternatives.

I knew that taking antibiotics could do this, and that we were getting some extras with our chicken, etc. But soap? Just rubbing antibacterial soap on my hands?

I'm not sure which is worse-- being a little more resistant to antibiotics, or catching something scary in the bathroom because I didn't wash my hands.

I'm pretty sure that we survived just fine before we had antibacterial soap...and antibacterial lotion that we carry in little dispensers on our keychains. Antibacterial dishwashing detergent. Antibacterial agents in our laundry detergent.

There are good bacteria and bad bacteria. When we use antibacterial, it kills them all.

(and it's the action of washing your hands properly that protects you...you don't have to have antibacterial soap)

And CDude, there are always exceptions. After a piercing, I use a mild antibacterial soap to clean the piercing. But I don't need it it after that. You may need it. Does everyone? Probably not...but everyone is using it (because in a lot of cases, it's too difficult to find an alternative)

[proudtobefrompetal]

Try finding a soap that's not antibacterial...

*sigh*


Dove and I think Ivory... I used to use Lever 2000 religiously and had a doctor tell me it was causing health issues. I quit and switched to Dove and haven't had that recurring problem again.

[countrygirl]

It's kind of like those kids you see running around barefooted and play in the dirt all the time seem not to get sick nearly as much as the ones that are kept clean all the time. The ones playing in the dirt build up a resistance...

[eyescene]

Dial soap has always been antibacterial. I have washed many a body with dial soap. That is not making us sick People. And how old is it? Earliest I can find is 1950

[proudtobefrompetal]

I don't think it's just the soap that makes us sick - it's everything. Antibiotics, antibacterial wipes, antibacterial hand lotions, antibacterial EVERYTHING. At one time, antibacterial was a big selling item and I think people are realizing not everything needs to be sterilized.

[fuzzis]

Dial soap has always been antibacterial. I have washed many a body with dial soap. That is not making us sick People. And how old is it? Earliest I can find is 1950

How many people were using Dial soap in the past versus how many people are using antibacterial products period now? It's an issue of scale. If a relatively small number of people are using a product, the impact isn't going to be as great...but once everyone starts using the product, it becomes a problem.

Too much of a good thing, if you will.

[eyescene]

OK I worked in the medical field for 30 years and I was taught to wash your hands in dial and to sing the Birthday song so that you rubbed them long enough. I think we are less clean today than ever. Hospitals use to be a hell of a lot cleaner than they are today...so if you get something from there was is it cause it was clean or dirty? Think about it....? I will never give up my Dial. There are things out there People that you do not want. We live on a Farm, even more reason to use it here!!

People are sicker cause when they get sick they are not staying home. We are constantly in each others face sharing what we've got. Sometimes we have too go to Wal-Mart or else where to go get our meds. Thats a given!

Let me tell you I don't want a Dr or Nurse touching me that just handle someone with boils or the flu or something I don't know about.

I think the media just needs something to focus on and we are falling right into it. Bla bla bla yadda yadda. Were number one.

Can we and did we over do the antibacterial? Yes! Every Doc is just like us. We each have our own opinions.....and he/she just like me could be wrong.

[aaron]

Well, I got told this same thing about 3 years ago. Here was my argument at the time: "If it kills 99% of the germs, then how do they get stronger? They are dead."

[countrygirl]

It's the 1% of the germs that the soap that does not kill that they say is the problem. The 1% that is left is supposedly resistant and they breed more resistant bacteria. It is the same thing with antibiotics....only the resistant strains survive to multiply...

I'm with eyescene though. Staph almost killed my eldest grandster after one of his surgeries....He stayed on IV vancomyacin (sp?) for 6 weeks. I don't want anyone touching me or mine without washing their hands in a hospital setting. When I taught school, the cafeteria ladies would fuss because I made sure my kids washed their hands GOOD before they ate and it took a little more time. I figured teaching them good hygiene that might save their life one day was more important than teaching spelling....