Close to 50 percent of soaps, or
washing liquids sold in Nigeria and other countries contain
antimicrobial agents. Many of them in Nigeria even carry seal or
endorsement from specific health bodies.
However, the center for disease control and prevention (CDC) in the US claims there's no solid scientific proof that medicated soaps are better at preventing infection than regular soap or even ordinary water.
In fact, some argue that antibacterial soaps may be doing more harm than good—by making bacteria stronger and more resistant to existing germ killers.
The main active ingredient contained in these products is triclosan, and the effectiveness of antibacterial products which contain this agent – like soaps detergents and other products, were examined by researchers from the University of Michigan School of Public Health.
They found that soaps containing triclosan at concentrations commonly seen in products sold to the public were no better for killing bacteria and preventing infectious illness than soaps that did not contain triclosan.
"Washing your hands is extremely important for preventing the spread of infectious illness, especially at critical points like after using the toilet, changing the baby, or handling raw foods.
But consumers can't assume that antibacterial soaps are better for this than other soaps."
In terms of whether or not it raises bacterial resistance, a laboratory study first showed that triclosan can cause some bacteria to become resistant to widely used antibiotics like amoxicillin, but this has not been shown outside the lab.
So why do we still use medicated soaps, or washing materials that contain antibacterial agents?
References:
WebMD
CDC
However, the center for disease control and prevention (CDC) in the US claims there's no solid scientific proof that medicated soaps are better at preventing infection than regular soap or even ordinary water.
In fact, some argue that antibacterial soaps may be doing more harm than good—by making bacteria stronger and more resistant to existing germ killers.
The main active ingredient contained in these products is triclosan, and the effectiveness of antibacterial products which contain this agent – like soaps detergents and other products, were examined by researchers from the University of Michigan School of Public Health.
They found that soaps containing triclosan at concentrations commonly seen in products sold to the public were no better for killing bacteria and preventing infectious illness than soaps that did not contain triclosan.
"Washing your hands is extremely important for preventing the spread of infectious illness, especially at critical points like after using the toilet, changing the baby, or handling raw foods.
But consumers can't assume that antibacterial soaps are better for this than other soaps."
In terms of whether or not it raises bacterial resistance, a laboratory study first showed that triclosan can cause some bacteria to become resistant to widely used antibiotics like amoxicillin, but this has not been shown outside the lab.
So why do we still use medicated soaps, or washing materials that contain antibacterial agents?
References:
WebMD
CDC
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