Washing your hands is one of the best ways to fight germs. But do you really need an antibacterial soap to do the job? Some researchers say no, and they caution that antibacterial products may do more harm than good.

Only the strong survive

Recent research indicates that antibacterial agents contained in soaps may kill off ordinary bacteria, creating an environment for resistant, mutated bacteria that are impervious to antibacterials, including antibiotics.

“These mutated bacteria get wise to antibacterial agents,” says Eli Perencevich, M.D., a research fellow in infectious diseases at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. By using antibacterial soaps over and over, more bacteria will become resistant to the products, Perencevich says. In that respect, antibacterial agents behave like antibiotics which, when overused, promote the spread of antibiotic resistance.

Read the label

Consumers should pay close attention to labeling when buying soap, Perencevich says, because an increasing number of products contain antibacterials. “With so many of these products on the market, consumers may not even realize they are purchasing soaps that contain antibacterials,” he warns.

More than 75 percent of all liquid hand soaps and nearly 30 percent of bar soaps for sale nationally contain antibacterial agents. In a survey of national chain stores, regional stores and e-commerce sites, researchers found nearly half of all commercial soaps contain the antibacterial agent triclosan.

Triclosan

Triclosan has been used as an antibacterial for many years. However, it only recently raised a red flag as researchers have learned how it acts on bacteria.

Triclosan does not actually cause a genetic mutation in the bacteria, but by killing the normal bacteria, it creates an environment where mutated bacteria that are resistant to triclosan are more likely to survive and reproduce. Antibiotic resistance has become an increasingly serious problem worldwide, and overuse of triclosan may exacerbate this problem. The concern is that bacteria will become resistant to antibacterial products like triclosan, rendering those antimicrobial products useless to those who truly need them, such as people with compromised immune systems.

The use of triclosan is alarmingly widespread. It is found most commonly in hand soaps, cleaning supplies and dish detergents, but it also shows up in products that don’t claim to be antibacterial. Some toothpastes, kitchen utensils, garbage bags, toys and bedding contain triclosan.

Plain old soap and water

Despite Americans’ concern with germ control, at least a third have forgotten the basics. A recent survey conducted for the American Society of Microbiology found that while 95 percent of men and women surveyed say they wash their hands after using a public restroom, only 67 percent actually do wash before leaving the restroom.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says antibacterial soaps are not necessary. Hand-washing with regular soap and warm water is the simplest, most effective thing people can do to reduce the spread of infectious diseases,” says CDC director Julie Gerberding, M.D. In fact, the agency deems hand-washing so important in preventing the spread of infections that it offers guidelines for how and when the hands should be washed:

· Always use warm, running water and a mild, preferably liquid, soap. Antibacterial soaps may be used but are not required.
· Wet hands and apply a small amount (dime to quarter size) of liquid soap. Rub hands together vigorously until a soapy lather appears and continue for at least 15 seconds. Be sure to scrub between fingers, under fingernails, and around the tops and palms of the hands.
· Rinse hands under warm running water. Leave the water running while drying.
· Dry hands with a clean, disposable (or single use) towel. Turn the faucet off using the towel as a barrier between your hands and the faucet handle. Remember, dirty hands turned the faucet on.