Do topical antibacterials cause bacterial resistance?

Question

I mean hand sanitizers and surface cleaning products.

Answer 1

Do antibacterials create resistant bacteria?
Because of their rapid killing effect, the non-residue producing antibacterial agents are not believed to create resistant bacteria. Resistance results from long-term use at low-level concentrations, a condition that occurs when consumer use residue-producing agents such as triclosan and triclocarban. Until recently, it was accepted that these agents did not affect a specific process in bacteria, and because of this, it was unlikely that resistant bacteria could emerge. However, recent laboratory evidence indicates that triclosan inhibits a specific step in the formation of bacterial lipids involved in the cell wall structure. Additional experiments found that some bacteria can combat triclosan and other biocides with export systems that could also pump out antibiotics. It was demonstrated that these triclosan-resistant mutants were also resistant to several antibiotics, specifically chloramphenicol, ampicillin, tetracycline and ciprofloxacin.

Resistance to antibacterials has been found where these agents are used continuously (as in the hospital and food industry); however, at the present time, this modest increase in resistance has not yet created a clinical problem.

Can the widespread use of antibacterial agents lead to more resistant bacteria?
Many scientists feel that this is a potential danger, but others argue that the laboratory conditions used in the research studies do not represent the "real world." So far, studies of antibacterial use in home products such as soap, deodorant and toothpaste have not shown any detectable development of resistance. However, such products have only been in use for a relatively short period of time and studies of their effects are still extremely limited.

Answer 2

They don't cause resistance, but rather
provide an evolutionary incentive for it
to happen. As we know, life is good at
figuring out how to adapt. Personally I
don't use much antibacterial stuff (on the road
hand sanitizer is fine, but don't use antibacterial
soap in your house... where do you think the resistant
bateria will most likely develop?).

Answer 3

antibacterials shouldn't be used at home. The increased use of these products at home is behind the increase of Staph infections across the country. Staph is becoming as common as a cold and it is due to the overuse of antibiotics and antibacterials - in homes and hospitals. Nosocomial infections are on the rise and I am scared to death for my children to step foot into a hospital! I refuse to by anything that is antibactierial - all it does is weaken your resistance to infections. Also, it can make your body build immunities against antibiotics.

Answer 4

Hi-

The simple answer is that you may have millions of bacteria living on/in your body at any given time. Washing with regular soap has the effect of loosening and removing them from your skin surface, and washing them down the sink/shower. With topical antibiotics, it takes time to kill the bacteria, and often does not kill them at all, rather it prevents them from multiplying. In the presence of a topical antibiotic, the weak bacteria will be inhibited, which is the desired effect, but if just one or two bacteria have genetic mutations or adaptations that allow them to survive, they will thrive, since they are now absent of any competition from the weaker bacteria. So, you end up "selecting" for the "really bad" resistant bacteria to keep growing, and multiply. Since bacteria divide (reproduce) so quickly, genetic mutations and adaptations happen VERY quickly, and these can be in response to a stressor (i.e. topical antibiotics) that will cause the bacteria to become resistant.

Answer 5

They tend to. Hospitals have this problem, and try to solve it by rotating the type of disinfectant solution among several different kinds - one month this, the next month that, the third month another thing.

I am against using them at home because they don't do a heck of a lot of good, they tend to discourage proper soap and water cleaning, they tend to knock off harmless bacteria, the presence of which discourages harmful bacteria, help create resistance, and so leave one more open to problems.

It is the friction created by scrubbing and rubbing with soap and water, followed by adequate rinsing, that does the most disinfecting.

Answer 6

Used in large amounts they can, yes. Another problem is that they don't just kill the "bad" bacteria, but they kill the good bacteria as well, which can lead to other problems.

The worst problem I've heard is of a family friend who was using every anti-bacterial thing out there... the stuff killed all the "good" bacteria in their septic system and they had to have a new one dug. Not cheap....

Answer 7

Some experts claim that studies show no problem with antibacterials. There are other reasons for "super bugs."

Answer 8

If used improperly, they probably could, just like misuse of prescription antibiotics can cause resistance.