A visit to your nearby shop will demonstrate the popularity of antibacterial products in today’s world, almost every product is being sold with some form of antibacterial in it, few popular products that now contain antibacterial agents are soaps, cleaners, after shaves, gels, liquid soaps, oral care products like mouthwash, moisturizer, toothpaste etc. At many locations it can difficult to find non-antibacterial counterparts of these products; however one might ask are these antibacterial products a boon?

Many people ignore the fact that antibacterial products are effective only against bacteria and not viruses. A number of diseases that human beings contract every year are caused by pathogenic strains of viruses. These diseases can be transmitted through air or hand contact. Smittstop doe stop this spread.

Different antibacterial products contain different kind of antibacterial agents like salts of silver, organic compounds like penicillin derivatives,newer synthetic compounds like phenyl. Many Antibacterial agents used for surface disinfection contain alcohol, formalin etc. One popular antibacterial agent used nowadays is Triclocarbon, however it is being reported that bulk use of these agent often plays an instrumental role in development of resistant strains of bacteria.

Another major issue that the modern health system is encountering is lack of efficacy of potent antibacterial due to over and indiscriminate use. If this is not checked the human race will need newer antibacterial agents at frequent interval, adding to the monetary burden on the society, this will also lead to development of lethal diseases and more virulent species of bacteria. The low concentration of antibacterial agents present in the over the counter products is a major contributor to this issue and one should use them prudently.

Even if an antibacterial agent has an efficacy of 99.9% and does not make resistant species of bacteria in the process, still there is a problem. If a person lives in sterile environment then he is not getting exposed to the non pathogenic bacteria that most of us are getting exposed to, such a person can become prone to bacterial infections that other people can resist quite easily. Such human beings often get infected from opportunistic bacteria like E.coli.. Science has now proven that indiscriminate removal of bacteria from contact area of children can cause problems like and eczema and allergies in due course of time.

One more important fact often being ignored by many people is that some bacteria actually are required for human existence and are present inside our bodies, most important among them is the bacterial colonies of intestinal flora, beneficial bacteria are also present on our skin. These benign bacteria are present on the fingers, head or scalp, foot, oral cavities etc. One must realize that removing these benign bacteria from immediate environment can actually prove harmful in the long run.

The point that I would like to emphasize is that consumers like you and me need to realize the fact that using antibacterial products all over is not beneficial always, although I do not advocate not using an antibacterial on wounds or on napkins. But yes one should avoid use in showers etc. At the time of cleaning your home, deploy hot plain soapy water, for your skin also; use luke warm water along with soap.

Do not get influenced by the marketing propaganda that is whole heartily trying to sell the black antibacterial myth to consumers worldwide. Also get rid of the obsession of disinfecting walls, trees, plants, dogs etc. although disinfecting bacteria homes like keyboards, toilets and other dark corners once a while might still be acceptable.