Antibacterial soap

Antibacterial soaps are a perfect example how marketing experts can misuse science in order to promote a product that is ineffective and even harmful. Here are a few reasons why you shouldn’t use antibacterial soaps and other antibacterial products.

Most of the liquid antibacterial soaps and about a third of solid ones contain a broad spectrum antibiotic called triclosan. For a long time it has been assumed that triclosan in safe for humans, but new studies have shown that in larger doses it can cause sex hormone imbalance, worse allergies and other immune hypersensitivity disorders and even weaken cardiac and skeletal muscles. These studies used high doses, but it should be noted that being constantly exposed to this chemical may have cumulative effects.

The other problem with antibacterial soaps is that they lead to resistant bacteria. When you are washing your hands you can never kill all of the bacteria, no chemical can do that. Bacteria that have acquired resistance through some genetic mutations will pass on those genes to next generations. This is the problem with all antibiotics, not just triclosan and because of this antibiotics should only be used when necessary, not for everyday hand washing.

The third problem with is that antibacterial soaps are usually only mildly better than regular soaps when it comes to getting rid of bacteria from our hands. It is important to point out that soap is only one part of the equation. The manner of drying hands can significantly enhance or counteract the effects of washing. Moist towels are perfect breeding grounds for bacteria and hot air dryers can accumulate dust and gunk that can also contain a lot of germs.

The conclusion is – don’t use antibacterial soaps, use clean towels (or clean your air dryer) and don’t worry too much about bacteria, that is, don't let TV commercials scare you.

Treating insect bites at home

Although insect bites can cause severe allergic reactions or transmit diseases (such as Lyme disease or malaria), most of them are quite harmless, but even then they can be very inconvenient.  Some insect bites cause pain and others cause itchiness. These ‘minor’ symptoms do not require medical attention and they can be alleviated with some readily available home remedies.

Bee stings are usually painful, wasp stings even more so. When a bee stings a person it leaves its sting in our skin and the sting continues to pump the venom from its attached venom sack. The first thing that one should do is to remove the sting. This step is simple, grab it with your fingers and pull it out. At this point it could be useful to pinch the part of the stung part of the skin, this may help squeeze out some of the venom. The stung area should be then treated with a paste made of baking soda and water. Some people claim that vinegar also helps. If these remedies are not available some cold water or even mud can help. Be aware that bee stings (no pun intended) can cause allergic reactions in certain people which range from mild to life threatening. Mild reaction could include itchiness on the spot of the sting or over wider areas of the body and severe reactions include narrowing of the throat which can cause suffocation. People with such strong allergic reactions should carry an EpiPen.

Insects such as mosquitoes, fleas and others usually cause itchiness on the point of bite. When these insects bite down they release blood thinning chemicals that stop blood from coagulating while they are sucking it. These chemicals along with dirt, bacteria and other contaminants make our bodies release histamine at the point of bite and this is what causes itchiness. Common remedies for this include cold water and ice, but there is another approach that I find more effective and that is hot water. Hot water causes increase release of histamine, but after a while the level of histamine will drop sharply. When I have an itchy bite I pour hot water over it. I use water that is almost scalding. For a few seconds the offended area itches like hell, but then it suddenly stops itching. This effect lasts at least 2 or 3 hours.

Most of the insect bites can easily be treated, but prevention is even better, so try not to get bitten.