The myPediaclinic team (voted best pediatric clinic in Dubai by Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban) strives to bring you the latest information about the health of your children. For this reason, we are writing to you about recent disturbing findings about antibacterial soaps and washes. For years, we have been using antiseptic/antibacterial soap for hands and body  to protect our children from bacteria. However, as it turns out, this has been doing more harm than good. After over 20 years in the market the FDA issues a final rule( ??? ) this week saying “certain active ingredients used in over-the-counter (OTC) consumer antiseptic products intended for use with water are not generally recognized as safe and effective (GRAS/GRAE) and are misbranded” by FDA – Safety and Effectiveness of Consumer Antiseptics

So basically, regular soap (no antibacterial ingredients) cleans the hands from dirt and bacteria perfectly fine, and the antiseptic soaps do not have any added benefit.

Not only do they not have an added benefit, but they also have a risk. It has been shown that antibacterial soap is creating antibiotic resistance. Which means the bacteria is becoming stronger and will no longer respond to antibiotics if used. Not only that but research is being done about the effects these ingredients may have on hormones and the thyroid glands.

The FDA mentions 19 active ingredients, including triclosan and triclocarban, are not safe or effective and consumer antiseptic wash products containing these ingredients are misbranded for use in consumer antiseptic washes.

With the new findings, myPediaclinic and Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban recommends that you no longer use anti-bacterial soaps and use regular soaps with little to no added chemicals. Please note that these chemicals will still be on the shelves for the next few months. Make sure not to purchase them or use them.

Please note that Triclosan, one of the questionable ingredients found is also found in pesticides, clothing, certain plastics, and kitchen ware. To learn how to minimize all chemicals in your family’s food, we recommend booking a nutrition consultation with Mirna Sabbagh, Nutritionist/Dietitian and IBCLC who teaches parents how to spot unhealthy ingredients and how to replace them with wholesome and healthy foods. The less chemicals a child is exposed to, the less risk of all disorders including inflammation, mental disorders, antibiotic resistance, and others.