Kool for Momz N Dadz

Today (8/15/07), researchers from the University of Michigan, School of Public Health confirmed that people who used plain soaps (non-triclosan) had no more illnesses than those who used anti-bacterial soap.

You may have heard about the controversy surrounding the use of antibacterials soaps, specifically the ones that contain Triclosan. If not, here’s the distilled version. Triclosan kills most of the bacteria on your childrens hands, but not all. The bacteria that survive the chemical hand-washing, are thought to be those that are “stronger” or more resistant to antibacterial agents including some of the antibiotics that you or your children may have to take for an infection. So, that’s why doctors are less willing to give you antibiotics for what they diagnose to be a viral infection. Viruses are different and are not cured by antibiotics.

Also, the study showed that there was no more bacteria removed by the antibacterial soap and regular soap. Note that this study didn’t include alcohol based soaps, or other hand washing chemicals.

A good handwashing takes about 20 seconds. Use warm soapy water.  A good tip I’ve heard is to have kids sing their ABCs while their washing.