Fight the Clean Fight
Antibacterial Hand Washes May be Unnecessary
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), antibacterial gels, wipes and sprays are no more effective at reducing the spread of disease than plain soap. There is a theoretical risk that antibacterial cleansers create antibiotic resistance among germs, but this has not been scientifically proven.
Harley A. Rotbart, MD, pediatric infectious disease specialist at The Children’s Hospital and author of Germ Proof Your Kids: The Complete Guide to Protecting (Without Overprotecting) Your Family from Infections, answers parents’ most frequently asked questions about germs and their kids.
Q: Is it Possible to Keep My Child Away From All Germs?
Dr. Rotbart: No. Germs are everywhere and are unavoidable. Plus, certain germs, such as the bacteria in our intestines that aid digestion, are actually beneficial to your child’s health.
Q: How Are Germs Spread?
Dr. Rotbart: Your child’s hands are the number one way germs move from one person to another. This is why we need to teach children the importance of hand washing and proper hand hygiene.
Q: What is Proper Hand Hygiene?
Dr. Rotbart: Proper hand hygiene requires knowing both when to wash and the most effective hand washing methods. For example, wash hands before eating or cooking and after using the bathroom, playing outside, being around someone who’s ill or petting animals.
As for how best to wash hands, teach kids these three rules:
- Use plenty of soap and warm water.
- Rub hands together for 20 seconds — about the time it takes to sing “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” or the “ABCs” — scrubbing nails and between fingers while forming a heavy lather. Rinse completely.
- Thoroughly dry hands with a clean, dry towel.
For more information on germs, visit Dr. Rotbart’s website at www.germproofyourkids.com.
