How does antibacterial soap work? Does it really kill germs?

Answer 1

We use it at my nursing facilty and we also use Purell (that alcohol stuff) but it is real drying at this time of the year. I remember when I had my belly buttoned pierced they said to make sure I used antibacterial soap

Answer 2

The antibacterial components of soaps (usually triclosan or, less commonly, triclocarbon) need to be left on a surface for about two minutes in order to work. Most people are not this patient, and end up washing off the soap before the antibacterial ingredients can do their job.
Some scientists theorize that bacteria may develop a resistance to bactericidal agents over time.
Some bacteria actually benefit us. The normal population of bacteria on our bodies not only eats our sweat, but also helps defend us against truly harmful, invasive bacteria.
Many common diseases are viral in nature, anyway, and are therefore not prevented by antibacterial products.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), antibacterial soaps are not necessary, but washing your hands thoroughly with ordinary soap and warm water is one of the most effective ways to ward off infection.

Answer 3

Antibacterial soap is any cleaning product to which active antibacterial ingredients have been added. These chemicals kill bacteria. They do not kill viruses.

Many, or even most, liquid hand and body soaps contain antibacterial chemicals. Triclosan is a common ingredient, as is alcohol. Since there is a great variety of bacteria, effectiveness against any given type of bacteria does not ensure that it is effective against unrelated types.

Overuse of chemicals like triclosan have been suggested to cause sensitive bacteria to evolve resistance to its antibacterial action. Should any antibiotic be discovered that works similarly to triclosan, this antibiotic's effectiveness to combat infections will be reduced because people will be hosting resistant bacteria already due to their use of soaps containing triclosan.

Studies have examined the purported benefits of antibacterial soap. Some studies have concluded that simply washing thoroughly with plain soap is sufficient to reduce bacteria and, further, is effective against viruses. Other studies have found that soaps containing antimicrobial active ingredients remove more bacteria than simply washing with plain soap and water (J.C. Lucet (2002), Hand Contamination Before and After Different Hand Hygiene Techniques: a Randomized Clinical Trial, Journal of Hospital Infection; L.L. Gibson (2002), Quantitative Assessment of Risk Reduction From Hand Washing with Antibacterial Soap, Journal of Applied Microbiology). Food and Drug Administration published reports that questions the use of antibacterial soap and hand sanitizers saying that it found no medical studies that showed a link between a specific consumer antibacterial product and a decline in infection rates[1].

Answer 4

Oooh i remember doing this experienment in my microbiology department -- # of bacteria culture grown with just water alone, water+soap or water+antibacterial soap. Result: just water alone has more bacteria and the rest are the same.

In my nursing school, we learned to wash hands for about 20 seconds (try singing "Happy birthday" while washing hands -- that's about 20 sec). However, we were also told that it's not the soap nor the water that killed the bacteria but the friction of your hands that does the job. Also, you can use antibacterial gel (about 5 times) before you actually need to wash your hands unless it is obviously soiled.

Answer 5

Yes, but to get its benefits you have to wash your hands for two minutes. Plus, many diseases are caused by viruses, which those soaps don't affect.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), antibacterial soaps are not necessary, but washing your hands thoroughly with ordinary soap and warm water is one of the most effective ways to ward off infection.

Answer 6

Supposedly it does, say the manufacturers. However, plain old soap and water will do the same, and is probably a lot cheaper than antibacterial soaps.

Answer 7

It has chemicals that stop or slow bacteria from growing. They don't always kill the bacteria, but they are still effective in keeping you from getting sick. If the soap were bacteriocidal (killed the bacteria) it would be too strong to use on your skin. Remember, if a chemical is strong enough to kill all bacteria cells, it is strong enough to kill some of your cells as well.

Answer 8

sure, time-honored cleansing soap will clean your palms besides as antibacterial cleansing soap. this is the friction led to once you rub your palms at the same time alongside with the degreasing action of the cleansing soap that takes to the air the germs.

Answer 9

It kills 99% of germs but they still recommend washing your hands with soap and water as soon as you can.