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.

Bacteria and fungi in gyms

Exercise is essential for your well being and if you care for your health you go to gym regularly, unless you have some other form of exercise. Gyms are great places for keeping your body in good shape; however there are some dangers there as well.

Gyms often attract a lot of people and that could mean bacteria and other pathogens. People are often in contact with various surfaces such as benches, floors, showers, etc. All of these surfaces can contain bacteria. This is especially true for porous surfaces, such as floor mats or bench padding.

Sweat that drips from everyone’s bodies can contain bacteria and fungi and the moist environment that it creates is ideal for further development of fungi. Fungi that cause athlete’s foot are very common in gyms.

Luckily it is quite easy to protect ourselves from these things – just make sure that you avoid having physical contact between your skin and various surfaces. Wear socks and gloves and cover benches with a clean towel.

On the other hand, mold could be more dangerous. Many gyms have molds in the ceiling. These molds can easily form from moisture from saunas, people’s breaths and sweat and after they have established themselves in the ceiling they generate millions of tiny spores that can infect our lungs. There is no easy way to protect yourself from this threat; you can’t really wear a gas mask in a gym. So, if your gym has mold in the ceiling, complain to the manager, or change the gym.