DutchNews, December 21,
2016
Avoid
disinfecting soap at home.
Photo: Depositphotos.
|
Disinfecting soaps and gels should not be widely used at
home, according to a new report from the Health Council of the Netherlands.
The
independent scientific advisory body warns that disinfecting products must only
be used where they are really necessary, due to concerns about killing ‘good’
bacteria, while other bacteria develop more antibiotic resistance – making
sickness more likely.
Used wisely, they make a ‘significant contribution
to preventing infections (and disease) in humans and animals,’ says the
council. For example, it adds, in stopping food spoiling or medical equipment
becoming contaminated.
‘But there are also uses where a need has not been
demonstrated,’ says a press release on Wednesday. ‘In the home, people are
increasingly using more disinfecting products in clothes, soap, toothpaste and
mouthwash. For health reasons, this is usually not necessary.
‘These agents can
kill bacteria that are important for good health. Disinfection in the home is
only useful for people with specific medical needs, in general in temporary
situations (nursing the seriously ill or oral infections).’
In the case of
highly-infectious MRSA bacteria, disinfection at home is also recommended. But
otherwise, the body says, overuse can threaten public health because bacteria
get stronger and antibiotics become less effective.
Hospital over-use?
The
report adds that washing intensive-care patients every day with chlorhexidine
and routinely disinfecting the floors, walls and ceilings in hospitals may not
be a good idea either.
It advises the government to begin tracking the use of
disinfectants and scale of anti-bacterial resistance – something that is
already done in the case of prescribed antibiotics.
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