Soap Vs. Antibacterial Hand Lotions

Antibacterial soaps and lotions are here to stay, even though experts are concerned about their widespread use. Although there are situations in which soap and water are the logical choice, sometimes the convenience of an antibacterial cleanser can't be beat -- such as when emerging from a crowded subway, or on a car trip with no water or soap in sight. It's probably best to let each alternative have its proper place, depending on need and availability.

Helpful Bacteria

Contrary to what your mother taught you, you could live without soap, but you couldn't live without bacteria. The human body is very capable of defending itself from the bacteria it deals with every day, says Trudy Wassenaar, Ph.D., a molecular biologist specializing in microbiology. Every time you breathe in or ingest something, bacteria enter your body. And usually, that's a good thing. For example, bacteria occupy spaces in your body that otherwise would be available for pathogens, such as when antibiotics kill off beneficial bacteria in your gut and a stomach upset ensues because the good bacteria aren't there anymore to defend against the bad bacteria.

Conditions

The National Institutes of Health recommends the use of soap and water in ordinary circumstances, and only "targeted use" of antimicrobial soap for the simple reason of risk-benefit ratio: There's concern that ubiquitous use of antibacterial soaps lowers their effectiveness over time by rendering microbes more resistant to these products.

Considerations

Antibacterial soap doesn't get your hands any cleaner than conventional soap and water, if hands are washed correctly. The real cleaning action involving soap is in the friction that takes place when you rub your hands together, mixing the soap and water, getting the entire surface of fingers and spaces in between, fingernails and palms and back of hands in contact with the soap. This rubbing should last for about 20 seconds to be fully effective.

Distinctions

Most hand sanitizers and antibacterial soaps contain ethyl alcohol, not triclosan, but those that do could pose a problem. The FDA wants to take a fresh look at this chemical, which is so ubiquitous by now that it's found in the urine of 75 percent of the U.S. population. According to the FDA, triclosan might be another disruptor of the body's endocrine system, and might also be helping to create antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Stick to those that work with alcohol, or some of the new sanitizers available at health food stores that use neither alcohol nor triclosan.

Concerns

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has published a report regarding a possible connection between the rise of allergies among children and the pervasive use of antimicrobial household products. It compared the overuse of antibiotics that resulted in antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the increase in surface antibacterial agents, which could well replicate the problem on a different scale. In addition, some reports reveal a connection between the increased incidence of allergies, asthma and eczema in children raised in an antiseptically clean environment.