The campaign against bacteria and viruses that lurk on the surface of door knobs, on the hands of the people you exchange hand shakes with, on bus railings you hold during your commute and just about every where has taken the world by storm.
This storm has been causing the masses to guard themselves against contagious diseases brought on by these germs by practicing stringent measures such as the use of antibacterial soaps in lieu of regular soaps for hand washing and by using no-rinse antibacterial sanitizers and cleansers more than ever.
However, as much as the public is trying to use these commodities to ward off germs, experts say that old school hand washing (water from the tap plus regular soap) still bests these new items when it comes to disease prevention and hygiene.
In fact, antibacterial soaps, no-rinse cleansers and sanitizers are currently under the scrutiny of concerned experts due to the dangers they pose against one's health.
For one, experts argue that anti-bacterial soap does an overkill against the good bacteria that thrives on the surface of the human skin. These strains of good bacteria creates a balance in the microbiota on the surface of your skin preventing infection. They also serve as a natural barrier of protection against other disease causing germs. The overkill caused by the modern antibacterial items will then put you at more risk for diseases and infection.
On a related note, this overkill can also impede the development of immunity against germs and allergens among children. Contact with germs and allergens is necessary for the construction of a child's immunity against these unseen critters and substances. Reduced exposure to such will disable the immune system to create antibodies and other defense mechanisms that will protect the child against more aggravating incidents throughout his or her lifetime.
Allergic reactions to ingredients present in anti-bacterial washes, soaps and cleaners is another avenue of health concern. Fragrance (a.k.a. fakegrance), for instance, which are used to prolong the scent of the product on the skin's surface is among the most alarming ones. This is because these chemicals are linked to a majority of asthma incidences in America today.
There still is a long list of hazards that experts found and charged against antibacterial soaps and quick fixes to conventional hand washing. The bottom line is - even to these modern times nothing bests hand washing with tap water, regular soap and a clean towel in disease prevention and hygiene.