Antibacterial vs. regular soap

[Diva Nurse Dani]

I know this may seem like a crazy question, but does it matter what soap you bathe with? I know antibacterial is used for our hands during work hours(and for some, at home), but I read a few articles stating that as long as we wash our hands regularly, as we should, antibacterial means little. But what about when we bathe?

I use antibacterail soap for my showers, but I find that it is really harsh to my skin (itchy, dry, etc.). What about products like Dove, or Vaseline Intensive Care, or Ivory? Are these as effective after a long day in "Icky" land?

Thanks for you feedback!

[Bicycleboy]

I read about a study last year that idicated that some bacterial soaps mixed with the chlorine in water forms dioxin. I don't remember much more than that, and did not personally read the study.

[AggieQT]

At the school I went to for my prereqs the science department required that all those taking Micro do a lab with the differences between different soaps, cleaning products, and mouth washes. Very interesting results. We all washed our hands with antibacterial soap for 3 mins. Then stuck our hands in a bowl of what we were told were "bad germs". We were then separated into three groups. One group would use hand sanitizer, the other regular soap, and the other antibacterial soap. After washing our hands we wiped our fingers on different agar plates and incubated them over the weekend. In all honesty there wasnt a big difference between the two (as long as the proper procedure was used in washing) Now the mouthwashes and cleaning products were a different story.

[Diva Nurse Dani]

Thanks everyone!!

I went and bought some Dove Moisturizing (with triple the moisturizers) today!!! :roll

[subee, MSN, CRNA]

At the school I went to for my prereqs the science department required that all those taking Micro do a lab with the differences between different soaps, cleaning products, and mouth washes. Very interesting results. We all washed our hands with antibacterial soap for 3 mins. Then stuck our hands in a bowl of what we were told were "bad germs". We were then separated into three groups. One group would use hand sanitizer, the other regular soap, and the other antibacterial soap. After washing our hands we wiped our fingers on different agar plates and incubated them over the weekend. In all honesty there wasnt a big difference between the two (as long as the proper procedure was used in washing) Now the mouthwashes and cleaning products were a different story.

I wish they'd take them off the market but uninformed consumers still want them. The probably did work at one time, but as nurses know the germs always come back learner the meaner. In a society where our beef and chickens are fed antibiotics, adding any antibiotic to the environment is a very bad idea. The fact that they don't work any more speaks for itself. Now what are we gonna use when that total hip replacement gets infected?

The antibiotics required are becoming more toxic also. Using this harsh soap for acne isn't gonna work either. We don't get acne because we don't wash enough!

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

I'm also of the Just Say No to antibacterial products camp. The ONE exception I make to that is a package of wipes I carry for when I need to eat out somewhere (especially with kids!) and soap/water isn't readily available (or I want to clean off a table).

Washing hands appropriately with normal soap will get rid of the germs just as effectively as if you used the ATX stuff, but without the risk of strengthening the bugs left behind (can anyone say MRSA??).

I think the popularity of those products is people figure they can just swish their hands with the ATX soap under water for a few seconds and wham: no bugs! Sorry, no.

Does anyone really believe we have less germs today than we did before those lovely products hit the market? Are they less viable? Sadly, it's the opposite.

I've gotten everyone I know (who I know well enough to get to on this, lol, like family) to use plain old Softsoap in liquid dispensers for the sink, and never EVER anything ATX for their bodies: ever.