AMA Questions Anti-Bacterial Soaps

Antibacterial soaps may be no more effective against germs than common soap, and could contribute to the threat posed by drug-resistant bacterial strains, according to a statement by the American Medical Association (AMA), although they stopped short of recommending that people avoid using the popular soaps, lotions and mouthwashes.

They have asked government regulators to expedite their review of antibacterial products and determine if they might contribute to the health threat created by excessive use of antibiotics.

"There's no evidence that they do any good and there's reason to suspect that they could contribute to a problem" by helping to create antibiotic-resistant bacteria, said Myron Genel, chairman of the AMA's Council on Scientific Affairs and a Yale University pediatrician.

He said use of the products may contribute to the well-recognized problem created by excessive use of antibiotics that has led to mutated bacterial strains that are resistant to drugs.

A trade group, the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association, had previously lobbied the AMA against having any position on antibacterial products.

Annual Meeting of the American Medical Association June, 2000

Comment:

Whether applied to the skin or swallowed it is still an antibiotic, and should not be available without a prescription. Many people, especially parents, unknowingly use these products many times a day on their children. Would they be as willing to give them an oral antibiotic as often? Most people don't realize that the skin is the body's largest organ and is capable of absorbing many substances into the body. Also, children often put their hands into their mouths.

Also, many recent studies have pointed to the fact that growing up in a sterile environment may contribute to the development of allergies and asthma. A vast majority of the bacteria and viruses that kids are exposed to are completely non-pathogenic and may be quite beneficial. Those few organisms that do cause illness may provide benefits by allowing the immune system to develop properly.