Unrelenting advertisements on many platforms have made many people to believe that they can get rid of the germs on the skin by using medicated soaps, whether in liquid or bar form.
However, skin health experts say those soaps can increase users’ risk of developing certain skin conditions.
Experts say overusing medicated soaps might result in antimicrobial resistance and even render an individual more vulnerable to microbial attacks such as opportunistic skin infections.
They also say some medicated soaps contain mercury and when mercury is absorbed through the skin, it can damage the brain, nervous system, and kidneys. It can also damage the skin, cause rashes and blotchy spots, and give skin a grayish colour.
overusing medicated soaps might result in antimicrobial resistance and even render an individual more vulnerable to microbial attacks
A study titled ‘Antimicrobial Activity of Medicated Soaps Commonly Used By Dar es Salaam Residents in Tanzania,’ and published in the Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences led by Prof. Kennedy Mwambete of the Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, University of Health and Allied Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Tanzania, noted that scrubbing body or hands, particularly with soaps, is the first line of defense against bacteria and other pathogens that can cause colds, the flu, skin infections and even deadly communicable diseases.
“Conceptually, many people consider that an antimicrobial potion of soap is effective at preventing communicable diseases. But now, researchers highlight that too much of it can have the opposite effect- spreading diseases/infections instead of preventing them,” Mwambete stated.
He adds that overutilization of medicated soaps might result in antimicrobial resistance and even render an individual more vulnerable to microbial attacks such as opportunistic skin infections.
the use of antiseptic soap can disrupt the normal environment of the skin, take off healthy bacteria, and give room for unhealthy bacteria to grow and keep spreading
Regardless of the widespread availability of the so-called medicated soaps, a number of communicable infectious and food-borne diseases as well as poor-hygienic conditions-related health problems are rampant.
“This can partially be explained by the fact that, occasionally, some of these antimicrobial consumer products could have insufficient quantities of antimicrobials,” the professor said.
“Unfortunately, in the long run, [this] may adversely affect the consumers, because overuse of these agents can ascribe to the emergence of drug-resistant microorganisms.
“This instigated us to embark on evaluation of the antimicrobial effects of the so-called medicated soaps,” the research lead stated.
Also, speaking on her YouTube channel, a Consultant Physician and Dermatologist at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Dr. Folakemi Cole-Adeife, explained that the skin is like an environment of what scientists call a microbiome, an environment of bacteria, fungi, and viruses, and some of them are healthy bacteria or healthy germs that can live on our skin and they have a job they are doing.
According to her, the use of antiseptic soap can disrupt the normal environment of the skin, take off healthy bacteria, and give room for unhealthy bacteria to grow and keep spreading.
we have a lot of people in our environment having fungi skin infections because when you take off all the healthy bacteria, skin fungi will grow without any hindrance
“Also, most antiseptic soaps and liquids have a stronger effect on bacteria than fungi, so they kind of favour the growth of fungi on the skin. That is why we have a lot of people in our environment having fungi skin infections because when you take off all the healthy bacteria, it’s in favour of the growth of fungi. So the fungi can grow without any hindrance.
“It’s very important that we do not make the habit of using antiseptic or medicated soaps and liquids a daily affair,” Dr. Cole-Adeife advised, noting that one does not need antiseptic or liquid soaps to be clean.
“There are only a few occasions that medicated soaps are recommended by dermatologists and it is usually for a controlled or short period and not to be used every day.
“Medicated soaps are also known to increase the risk of developing certain skin conditions. We have found that a lot of inflammatory skin conditions like seborrheic dermatitis and acne can be aggravated by the use of medicated soaps.
There are only a few occasions that medicated soaps are prescribed by dermatologists and it is usually for a short period and not for every day use
“So, pick a plain gentle soap. Generally, we recommend pH-balanced cleaner-cleansers that are close to the acid level of the skin.
“Our skin is acidic, usually with a pH of 4 and 5.5, and you want to use a cleanser that is close to the pH or the acidity of the skin because only then will your skin be able to function optimally,” she urged.
