One/Change

Antibacterial vs. Soap and Water

February 14th, 2007 by Mollie

Is there a difference between using Purell vs. antibacterial soap vs. plain soap and water in cleaning the hands and preventing illness?

The overall answer- Hand washing with plain soap and water is best!

The recent marketing of antibacterial everything has changed consumer thought that antibacterial soap is necessary to get rid of all the bacteria on your hands. Well it is not. It is a marketing gimmick.

There is actually concern regarding the use of so many antibacterial agents because there are superbugs. Superbugs are bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. Superbugs have become resistant to antibiotics because of the overuse of antibiotics. So when people get sick and really need antibiotics a stronger antibiotic has be used but there are a limited number of antibiotics available.

Purell is convenient and portable but is no replacement for hand washing with soap and water. Purell works by killing all organisms on the skin, even natural microorganisms. This is bad, because those microorganisms are needed to keep the skin healthy and kill the bad organisms. Purell is helping the environment on hands grow more bad organisms. If you can wash your hands with soap and water it is better than using Purell.

Several randomized control studies have been done looking at the effectiveness of antibacterial soap vs. plain soap in reducing childhood illness (mainly diarrhea). The results– Plain hand soap worked just as well as antibacterial soap. Antibacterial is not more effective than washing your hands with plain soap and water.

1. Wash you hands with plain soap and water.
2. Don’t use antibiotics when it is not necessary. (Antibiotics do not work for viruses)

This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 14th, 2007 at 9:00 am and is filed under Environment, General, One/Change tips, educational. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

paul

"Several randomized control studies have been done looking at the effectiveness of antibacterial soap vs. plain soap in reducing childhood illness"

- do you have any references or citations for this claim? I'd like to see those studies.
Jeremiah

My younger sister had MRSA for a year. Every time she would complete her cycle of antibiotics, within ten days, she would get an infection again. Finally her Doctor told us to stop bathing her in detergent based soaps because they were to harsh and killing off her bodies own bacteria leaving her defenseless against outside infection. So that is what we did. We started placing a bar of all natural (vegetable oil and lye based) soap in the bathtub. With the help of her prescription antibiotics, and no longer using harsh detergent soaps containing SLS or other detergents, she was able to win her battle with MRSA.
Guest

I have MRSA as well... and after fighting against the "anti-bacterial everything" movement for so long, i find it ironic that I'm practically chained to a prescription of some of the strongest antibiotics around for the rest of my life.

There is a difference between using something because you have to and using something because the advertising companies tell you you have to. I say you should follow your doctor's instruction. And for the rest of everyone, please stop helping the spread of super bacteria.. sheesh..
Felicia

My Dr told me to use antibacterial soap because it help fight against my bacteria i have MRSA but all i see is not to use it what should i do?
Simon Watson

My Mother has insisted for years that our over-protective "antibacterial" solutions are causing us more harm than good. A common phrase around her house as a youth was "a bit o' dirt never hurt anyone"! Think about all the things children push into their mouths as youngsters, and often things from the floor or from outside. Apart from the creation of superbugs we are wrapping our immune systems in cotton wool, reducing their ability to cope when we are hit by infection. Soap and water all the way!

I hope more people read your article! Many thanks
Ariah Fine

wow, thanks for clearing that up! What are your thoughts on filtered and bottled water?

This makes me want to make my own soap now.
Mollie

Hey Julie! I would suggest going to a health food store. They have plenty of handsoaps (both liquid and bar) that are not antibacterial. Also, a lot more grocery stores are starting to have "natural" sections on their aisles or in a section of its own and there is a good chance you can find something there. Some brands you can keep your eye out for are Nature's Gate, Tom's of Maine, and Aubrey Organics. There are a lot more brands than that, but those are pretty standard for some places. I hope that helps. Let me know if you have any questions.
Julie

It is hard to find handsoap that does not have antibacterial on the label. Any suggestions?

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Antibacterial vs. Soap and Water