We’ve all heard the term “magic soap” used before. You know, that really fun stuff that hangs from a dispenser on our wall at The Little Gym….you know, the one your toddler is OBSSESSED with pushing over and over again making that cold gooey liquid pour out? Or maybe your Grade Schooler is a Bath and Body Works fanatic and wants every scent of “magic” gel hanging from their back pack? Or maybe you go crazy wiping up every inch of your house with those very convenient antibacterial wipes three times a day?
Well you are not alone! In recent years, more and more of these products have been sold to the public as effective ways to wash our hands and the environment when traditional soap and water are not available. Advertisements sell us on the convenient packaging and their “on the go” methods of staying “germ free”.
However, studies suggest that ultra-clean environments and the persistent use of antibacterial soaps and hand sanitizers may inhibit proper immune system development in children. Higher levels of exposure to common everyday bacteria may play a helpful role in the development of the body's inflammatory systems and our immune system's fight against infection.
Hand sanitizers actually work by stripping away the outer layer of oil on the skin preventing bacteria present in the body from coming to the surface of the hand.
According to About.com, this can INSTEAD potentially increase the amount of bacteria on the hand.
Other side effects can include: Increased UV sensitivity, negative effects on thyroid hormones and estrogen levels, and in some cases food allergies. These results are what scientists are calling “The Hygiene Hypothesis”. Research studies show that higher levels of triclosan (an ingredient in products like hand sanitizer or mouthwash ) found in people's urine was linked to food allergy sensitization.
The CDC warns that alcohol-based hand sanitizers “are not effective on children's hands that are visibly dirty or that are contaminated with organic materials, such as after food preparation or bathroom use.” The CDC also suggests that alcohol-based hand sanitizers may also provide limited help against certain bacteria and the norovirus, another term for the common stomach flu.
“Keeping things clean is smart, but going crazy using antibacterial hand soaps, buying antibacterial kids' toys and other products, and overusing antibiotic medications are actually killing off the microbes that can help strengthen the immune system. Antibacterial products may help to reduce some infections, but they also promote the growth of drug-resistant organisms and weaken the good bacteria within us. Rather than focus on killing germs, we need to think about how to encourage their growth.” says Dr. Alan Greene at Parenting.com.
In fact, supporting the “right” bacteria can have a huge health payoff for our children: fewer ear infections, tummy aches, diarrhea, urinary-tract infections, and food allergies can all be prevented. It can even help kids fight off coughs, colds, and fevers.
Keeping the body's bacteria in “balance” doesn't take a lot of effort and can have huge benefits! Check out some things we SHOULD focus on, and ways that we help keep our children healthy for life.
1. Give them foods that naturally contain helpful organisms. These include yogurt, pickles, dark chocolate, and feta cheese. Cook with foods that contain good germs like garlic, onions, ginger and cinnamon.
2. Keep your kids away from cigarette smoke; exposure can kill off that good bacteria.
3. As for antibiotic drugs, don't insist that your pediatrician prescribe them when he says they're not necessary. These drugs also eliminate both good and bad bacteria. It may also be useful to give a probiotic supplement like acidophilus containing beneficial live bacteria on a regular basis.
4. Don’t be a total germaphobe! Dr. Dennis Ownby, chief of allergy and immunology at the Medical College of Georgia, found that babies in households with multiple pets have fewer allergies at age 6 or 7 not just to animals, but also to ragweed, grass and dust mites.
5. Don’t stress about Day Care! Studies of babies in day care have found that while they have more infections early, they have fewer allergies and less wheezing later.
Still not clear?? We found this really fun and interactive tool on Webmd that takes you through the daily life of your child. It gives some helpful reminders and stresses the important things we should focus on to prevent serious germs and contamination. Spoiler alert! Remind your child NOT to put their backpack on the floor of the bus and don’t eat food that has fallen into the kitchen sink : )