Coming clean

The first piece of advice you hear during cold and flu season is to wash your hands thoroughly and frequently. There's no denying that this is, by far, one of the best ways to keep from spreading germs. But this is another instance where it is possible to have too much of a good thing -- at least when it comes to the way in which you approach the advice.

Simply washing your hands with regular old soap and water is no problem. But when it comes to killing germs and preventing illness, most of us operate under the assumption that we need to break out the heavy artillery -- exfoliants, antibacterial gels, abrasive soaps. The stronger the better, right?

Not so much.

Researchers from the University College in London recently published a study showing that these sorts of harsh products actually strip away a protective layer of skin, increasing the risk of allergic conditions like eczema.

Your best bet? Stick to the basics when it comes to hygiene: You'll keep germs at bay just as effectively, without putting yourself at risk for even more problems down the line.

Source:
"Harsh soaps blamed for allergies," BBC News, 6/13/07

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