Be wary of antiseptic, disinfectants and antimicrobial wipes!
The difference between Antiseptics, Disinfectants, Antibiotics & Antibacterials can be confusing!
After last week’s newsletter about Antibiotics and antibiotic resistance, your questions started to roll in…..
Antibiotics are often seen as wonder drugs. And, in many ways they are. Antibiotics revolutionized medicine and have saved countless lives over the past century.
We learned that, nearly 50% of the antibiotics prescribed in the United States aren’t appropriate for the conditions being treated 💊🌎🦠
Unfortunately, the antibiotic drugs people have depended on for decades are losing their superpowers, thanks to strains of bacteria that have adapted to resist them.
If you missed last week’s newsletter, you can get up to speed on antibiotics using the link, Here.
Now today, I’d like to clarify and answer your many questions regarding Antiseptics, Disinfectants, Antibiotics & Antibacterials….
Why to use them, and When not to!
💊 🌎 ☠️ 🦠 💊 🦠 ☠️ 🌎 💊
WHAT TO KNOW: Antiseptics, Disinfectants, Antibiotics & Antibacterials
Antiseptics, or skin disinfectants, are chemicals for cleaning the skin and wounds. They can kill or prevent the growth of microorganisms.
Disinfectants, antibacterials, and antibiotics have similar but slightly different purposes.
Although antiseptics can be very useful, there are some questions around their safety for topical use, especially in the long term.
People can use antiseptics to clean areas of broken skin, intact areas of skin, and mucous membranes.
Keep reading for more information and comparisons, including the types available, their uses, and current safety concerns.
ANTIBIOTICS
Antibiotics are a type of prescription medication that can treat bacterial infections. We learned about them last week.
Antibiotics often are seen as wonder drugs. And, in many ways they are. Antibiotics revolutionized medicine and have saved countless lives over the past century.
Both antiseptics and antibiotics can treat bacterial infections. People can apply both types to the skin or mucous membranes.
However, a person can also take antibiotics orally, to treat a variety of infections inside the body. Unfortunately, many health care providers now rely too heavily on antibiotics and prescribe them when they aren’t necessary. Patients also have come to expect – and even demand – antibiotics every time they get sick.
Antibiotics are not evil, and we shouldn’t fear them. But we need to use them responsibly to ensure they continue working when we need them for years to come.
We learned quite a bit about antibiotics last week, HERE is another article with even more information.
DISINFECTANTS
People use antiseptics, such as peroxides, to kill microorganisms on the skin and mucous membranes. Whereas antiseptics destroy certain germs on the skin, disinfectants remove them from objects.
Disinfectants and antiseptics are both made from chemicals. In fact, they often share similar active ingredients. However, disinfectants tend to have higher concentrations, which are not suitable for use on the skin, mucous membranes or internally.
Disinfecting wipes are made for extremely high-touch areas like:
Bathrooms
Public transportation
Locker rooms
Hospitals and emergency care centers
Schools
Disinfectant wipes contain harsh chemicals like:
Bleach (sodium hypochlorite)
Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride*
Benzalkonium chloride*
Didecyldimethylammonium chloride*
And others
These chemicals kill bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other types of germs. But these same chemicals are NOT safe for skin contact - for children or adults.
That’s because disinfecting chemicals are also almost always pesticides. They can be toxic and lead to serious side effects, even if they briefly make contact with human skin. Unfortunately, disinfecting wipes are commonly advertised as school-friendly products. They’re marketed toward teachers, schools, and other childcare environments. But they also come with warnings like “keep out of reach of children.”
When you’ve got dirt, grime, or other gross stuff on your hands, there are safer options. If there’s soap and water nearby, wash your hands. This gets rid of germs and bacteria when you wash properly.
If you can’t wash your hands, reach for hand sanitizer or sanitizing hand wipes. Sanitizer kills germs without stripping away your skin’s natural oil barrier. But remember, it’s always better to wash you hands with soap and water. Only use wipes, when there is no other option!
ANTIBACTERIALS
Antibacterials are also chemicals that people use to clean areas of the skin. Soaps and sprays often contain antibacterials.
Antibacterial sprays are effective in killing or slowing the growth of bacteria. They do not kill or prevent viruses from growing, however.
Grocery stores dispense antibacterial wipes for wiping down carts, gyms, for spiffing up exercise equipment. Some schools hand them out so kids can scrub their desks and ask parents for wipes as back-to-school supplies.
Antibacterial cleaning wipes are everywhere, but are they harmless? Unfortunately, for most popular versions, that's not the case.
Why worry? In a word: Quats
The most common antibacterial agents in cleaning wipes are called "quats" (short for quaternary ammonium compounds) and include such chemical mouthfuls as alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride and benzalkonium chloride. Of course, difficult pronunciation does not necessarily equal danger, but in this case we are talking about pesticides that are certainly toxic to bacteria and can affect human health, too.
The American Medical Association discourages the use of antibacterial agents in consumer products because they may encourage the development of "superbugs" - antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Quat-resistant bacteria have been detected in homes routinely cleaned with antibacterial products. These bacteria were also resistant to a number of other important antibiotics, suggesting that regular exposure to quats could create microorganisms difficult or impossible to control with today's antibiotic arsenal.
The Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics, a leading international authority on asthma, considers these chemicals to be "asthmagens," - substances that can cause asthma to develop in otherwise healthy people. With asthma now affecting nearly one in ten children in the U.S., it makes sense to avoid unnecessary exposures to asthma-causing chemicals, especially for kids.
Hold the fragrance, please!
The mystery mixtures that provide a wipe's burst of fragrance can contain hundreds of untested chemicals, including toxic ingredients like phthalates and synthetic musks - both suspected hormone disruptors. Fragrances are also among the top five allergens worldwide. Just skip them; does a wipe really need a scent?
Greener options for clean hands and surfaces
Regular hand washing - with ordinary soap, not antibacterial versions - is the best way to fight germs and avoid getting sick.
Fragrance-free alcohol hand sanitizers are good options when no sink is available (like a school classroom, for example). And because antibacterial pesticides don't always penetrate the dirt and grime that hide germs, routine cleaning with regular - not antibacterial - cleaners is the best way to keep surfaces free of germs. So don't ask kids to clean school surfaces with antibacterial wipes - a quick squirt with soapy water and some elbow grease is healthier.
Where an antibacterial cleaning wipe is necessary, look for alcohol-based wipes, rather than those containing quats. If you don't see these in the cleaning aisle of your grocery or drug store, try the aisle with bandages and antiseptics. And if you do use wipes, pull them from the container slowly and with a sideways motion - a quick, upward jerk can spray disinfecting chemicals right into your eyes.
ANTISEPTICS
Antiseptics can kill or prevent the growth of viruses, bacteria, and fungi. There are several types of antiseptics. Some are safe to use at home, whereas others are only suitable for use in clinical or hospital settings.
Antiseptics, including hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol and iodine, are mainly used to deter bacterial growth. In general, they’re used to clean the skin before an injection (like during a blood test) and can be used to clean wounds. Hydrogen peroxide can be harsh on wounds, so if you’re cleaning a reasonable wound, most experts agree that soap and water are ideal.
Some common types of antiseptics include:
alcohols, such as isopropyl alcohol and ethyl alcohol
quaternary ammonium compound
chlorhexidine and other diguanides, for use before operations
antibacterial dye, to treat burns and wounds
peroxide and permanganate, to disinfect the skin or to use as a mouthwash
halogenated phenol derivative, in soaps and solutions
quinolone derivative, which treats wounds and can be an ingredient in throat lozenges
Antiseptics have several potential uses. Some of the most common include:
preventing infections on the skin, particularly for cuts, scrapes, or minor burns
dry hand-washing, which healthcare workers may do between different procedures or patients
cleaning the skin before a medical procedure, such as a blood draw or surgery
treating throat infections with mouthwashes or lozenges
cleaning mucous membranes, to treat infections or before using a catheter
When using antiseptics at home, a person should follow all safety instructions on the bottle. Using antiseptics with too high a concentration may cause irritation or chemical burns on the skin.
Over-the-counter antiseptics are not suitable for long-term use. A person should use them for NO MORE than 7 days.
People should avoid using antiseptics on:
large wounds and burns
areas where a foreign object is stuck in the skin
animal bites and scratches
eye infections
Antiseptics can cause severe skin irritation or chemical burns. Skin reactions may include erosions, ulcers, vesicles, and scarring. Allergic reaction such as immediate reactions, anaphylaxis, and allergic contact dermatitis may occur.
There is also the risk of product contamination from repeated use of topical antiseptics. This can lead to further problems such as localized or systemic infections when the contaminated product is reapplied to open skin, a wound, or a burn.
In September 2016, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a final rule establishing that over-the-counter consumer antiseptic wash products could not be marketed. The rationale cited being:
Lack of evidence that antibacterial wash is more effective than plain soap and water at preventing illness.
Prolonged household use of antibacterial products such as Antibacterial soaps may contribute to antibiotic resistance.
It is important to note that antiseptics may impair wound healing if they kill skin cells that are involved in the healing process, such as fibroblasts. Routine use of antiseptics for cleansing clean wounds is no longer recommended.
For more in-depth info on antiseptics, you can read more HERE.
THE BOTTOM LINE
“Concerns about antibiotics, antibacterials, disinfectants and antiseptics focus on chemical reactions and bacterial resistance — but permanent changes to our protective flora could have much more serious consequences.”
So as you have read, there’s a bit more to first aid than just cleaning a wound and slapping on a band-aid, and more to cleaning agents than grabbing a wipe or spray bottle. Store shelves are jam-packed with so many products; it’s not surprising we get confused or overwhelmed.
Are we getting too stressed over germs? Will it actually help our children if we expose them to germs?
Children who have less exposure to infectious agents at an early age may have suppressed immune systems that are more susceptible to allergens and germs as adults.
In short, the best advice is, if there’s soap and water nearby, wash your hands. This gets rid of germs and bacteria when you wash properly.
It is possible to over-sanitize, especially for young children. Hand washing with gentle soap and water is proven to be the best option.
If you can’t wash your hands for some reason, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer or sanitizing hand wipes. Sanitizer kills germs without stripping away your skin’s natural oil barrier. But remember, it’s always better to wash your hands with soap and water. Only use alcohol-based wipes, when there is no hand-washing option!
So, what are the best hand sanitizers to use? What are the best baby wipes to use? What are the best adult body wipes to use for wheelchair bound folks? What are the best makeup removers? The best body wash products? The best sunscreens?
The list goes on and on….
I suggest using the EWG website for your best and safest products, using this link HERE.
Don’t just take my word for the information in today’s newsletter, check out the Environmental Working Group website, HERE. They believe that you should have easy access to the information you need to make smart, healthy choices.
The EWG works to protect public health. Whether it's spotlighting harmful industry standards, speaking out against outdated government legislation or empowering consumers with breakthrough education and research.
Oh, by the way, it's a common misconception that wipes are cleaner than regular toilet paper, but in reality they remove healthy bacteria from your backside that protect you against yeast infections, bacterial infections, and fungus, making you more susceptible to them. You can read more about this, HERE!
Remember….
Bacteria are smart. They evolve in order to survive future antibiotic attacks. The more often an antibiotic, antibacterial, disinfectant or antiseptic is used, the more bacteria develop antibiotic resistance, rendering important drugs less effective.
The CDC reported that 2 million people were infected by and 23,000 died from antibiotic-resistant infections even ten years ago.
One report predicts that by 2050, antibiotic-resistant infections will kill more people than cancer!
By working together, we can help ward off this public health threat.
Most germs have been with us for hundreds of years and they aren’t going away. Find the balance that works for your family. Remember to eat well, rest well and that spring is just around the corner.
If the tools that I shared today are confusing, or you are feeling that you may need an antibiotic, come in and see me. We will talk about your unique body and physical situation. You can make an appointment with me using this link: HERE.
Or, you can always give me a call at (973) 210-3838
I want to hear from you! What concerns do you have about antibiotics, antibacterials, disinfectants or antiseptics, when and how to use them? Did you find this newsletter helpful?
Share your thoughts in the comments on our
We bring tools such as these to you, our patients, by using proven cutting-edge therapies to extend the health-span, life-span and years of health for everyone (no matter their age)!
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I hope that today’s newsletter has shed some light on how we can help you with many, many health issues and keep you and your family healthy!
Because, let’s face it, without your health, everything else suffers!
Feel free to share this newsletter with others as conversations come up regarding health issues.
Don’t forget to watch our social posts this week for health treatments that you can share with your family and friends!
Please know that I appreciate you being part of our wellness family, and accepting your true natural in-born health and wellness. I consider you very much a part of my extended family!
Remember, that the Functional Medicine approach we use here in our offices can offer you clear insight as to your health, nutrition, and healing options.
Feel free to come talk to us if you are having doubts or questions about your family’s health. We will give you the honest truth, and the clinical research that supports it.
Remember, the (5) Essentials of Health we talk about at Transformational Health Centers are…
Mindset - if you have a broken mindset you cant even begin the health journey.
Nervous System - if you have subluxation or pressure on the nerves going to any cell, tissue or organ in your body its impossible to have 100% health.
Nutrition - we are what we eat and food is medicine. If you are eating McDonalds there is no way your cells can make healthy new ones out of that damaged food.
Exercise - movement is life and life is movement. If we are sedentary we are dying slowly.
Detox - simply don’t put anything bad in, on or around your body (easier said than done).
There are NO LIMITS of what you can create, you are POWERFUL and there is nothing that you can not have or achieve! Believe in your power, believe in yourself and let go of what no longer serves you! ♡ Design your life, Create your reality…
This is life changing!
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