For those looking for extra protection beyond soap and water, Marquess recommends using the top pharmacist-recommended
antibacterial soap.
Figure 1 shows the results for a liquid
antibacterial soap.
Sales of
antibacterial soaps are up by 54%, liquid soap by 20%, and cough, cold and flu remedies by 70%.
Use an
antibacterial soap when bathing or showering.
University of Michigan researchers reviewed numerous studies conducted between 1980 and 2006 and concluded that
antibacterial soaps that contain triclosan as the main active ingredient are no better at preventing infections than plain soaps.
The
antibacterial soap, meanwhile, may help fight off colds, influenza and other diseases as it gently removes contaminants.
Before you shave, wash the area with an
antibacterial soap and press a warm washcloth on your skin to soften the hair.
Triclosan is no better at preventing infections than plain soap and water, the panel concluded after reviewing the five scientific studies that tested
antibacterial soap against regular soap.
But during a recent visit, my mother-in-law said I shouldn't be using
antibacterial soap.
From a common sense perspective,
antibacterial soap sounds like a godsend: Anti = against and Bacteria = bad little critters that make us sick.
Scrubbing with
antibacterial soap could clear away the good bugs, leaving space for dangerous microbes to settle, said Prof Spigelman.
BUT INSTEAD of stocking up on chicken soup, you may want to reach for the
antibacterial soap and team up with Ship-Shape and his Scrub Club to fend off those pesky viruses.
