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The truth about antibacterial or antiseptic soap...
So many people today have jumped on the antibacterial or antiseptic soap bandwagon without realising that they can actually do much more harm than good. Yes! Antiseptic soaps are NOT good for you!
#Thread 👇
So many people today have jumped on the antibacterial or antiseptic soap bandwagon without realising that they can actually do much more harm than good. Yes! Antiseptic soaps are NOT good for you!
#Thread 👇
The skin is the largest organ in the body, and the major barrier between our insides and the outside world.
Our skin is not sterile, it has living on it (normally) several types of good germs (microbes) that help it stay healthy and function normally.
Pic: Human microbiome map
Our skin is not sterile, it has living on it (normally) several types of good germs (microbes) that help it stay healthy and function normally.
Pic: Human microbiome map
Think of these good germs as good tenants that pay rent and help maintain the landlord’s property. This is called the Skin microbiome.
There are about 1 trillion friendly germs on the normal healthy skin! Yes! About 1000 different species of bacteria & 80 species of fungi!
There are about 1 trillion friendly germs on the normal healthy skin! Yes! About 1000 different species of bacteria & 80 species of fungi!
Every individual has a unique skin microbiome and it can change over time. We have something similar in our intestines.
These friendly germs help protect the skin by keeping off the harmful germs.
Pic source:sciencedirect.com
These friendly germs help protect the skin by keeping off the harmful germs.
Pic source:sciencedirect.com
They produce chemicals that prevent harmful germs from staying on the skin and they help maintain the skin's acidity.
The skin's immune system (our police) keeps all these microbes in check and prevents them from overgrowing or becoming unruly.
Pic: cell.com
The skin's immune system (our police) keeps all these microbes in check and prevents them from overgrowing or becoming unruly.
Pic: cell.com
So when you bath with antiseptic or antibacterial soaps, you remove a large part of your skin microbiome and destabilize the skin.
Think of it as a landlord chasing all his tenants out and leaving the gate open. Hoodlums can come in and loot or destroy the property.
Think of it as a landlord chasing all his tenants out and leaving the gate open. Hoodlums can come in and loot or destroy the property.
So with the good germs gone, the bad germs can come and take over and cause problems on the skin.
Pic source: indiegogo.com
Pic source: indiegogo.com
Also most antiseptic soaps do not get rid of fungi. So they may promote an overgrowth of fungi on the skin.
Excessive growth of our normal skin fungi or growth of harmful fungi on the skin results in fungal skin infections.
Excessive growth of our normal skin fungi or growth of harmful fungi on the skin results in fungal skin infections.
Antibacterial or antiseptic soaps do not have any extra effect on viruses either.
And viruses are responsible for many gastrointestinal infections (tummy aches, vomiting and diarrhoea) and respiratory tract infections (catarrh and cough) especially in children.
And viruses are responsible for many gastrointestinal infections (tummy aches, vomiting and diarrhoea) and respiratory tract infections (catarrh and cough) especially in children.
Most antiseptic soaps are strongly alkaline (pH 9-10) whereas our skin is normally acidic (pH 4.5-5.5). This can distort the normal conditions for several skin renewal and healing processes which require an acidic environment.
Harmful germs also grow better in an alkaline pH.
Harmful germs also grow better in an alkaline pH.
Disruption of the normal skin microbiome and the acidity of the skin has been associated with many skin conditions like eczema, acne, psoriasis, contact dermatitis, dandruff, fungal infections, rosacea, poor wound healing and rapid skin aging.
Pics: theecowell.com
Pics: theecowell.com
Antiseptic soaps and liquids were originally intended to be used in hospital or medical settings to reduce the growth and spread of microorganisms and prior to surgical procedures to prevent surgical infections. They were not designed to be used at home for bathing.
An antiseptic soap can at best be used for hand washing in a clinic or hospital, in schools and some work places.
There is no conclusive scientific evidence to suggest that household antibacterial soaps offer more protection against illness than non-antibacterial soaps.
There is no conclusive scientific evidence to suggest that household antibacterial soaps offer more protection against illness than non-antibacterial soaps.
Some antiseptic substances, especially triclosan, have been postulated to cause hormonal imbalance which could lead to infertility, obesity and even cancer.
They have also been implicated in allergies and immune system malfunction especially in children.
They have also been implicated in allergies and immune system malfunction especially in children.
Excess use of antispetic soaps is also bad for the environment and contributes to antibiotic resistance.
To buttress this the US FDA recently banned some over the counter antiseptic substances as they were deemed to be more of a risk than beneficial.
fda.gov/ForConsumers/C…
To buttress this the US FDA recently banned some over the counter antiseptic substances as they were deemed to be more of a risk than beneficial.
fda.gov/ForConsumers/C…
Outside of hospitals, the CDC and FDA recommend washing or bathing with ordinary soap and water.
fda.gov/ForConsumers/C…
sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2017/say…
fda.gov/ForConsumers/C…
sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2017/say…
Love your skin, take care of it, but please don’t sterilize it! Doing so may cause you preventable skin problems and several visits to the dermatologist! Appropriate skin cleansing is a major step in treating skin conditions.
Pls see a dermatologist if you have skin issues! 😘
Pls see a dermatologist if you have skin issues! 😘
