The Hygiene Hypothesis - Are We Washing Too Much?

Why do some people have allergies and some not? This article, entitled The Hygiene Hypothesis, suggests that our modern obsession with cleanliness may actually be counterproductive - by making us TOO sensitive to the bacteria and other icky stuff in our world. They also believe that excessive washing with harsh soaps and abrasive skin care products can cause allergic problems like eczema, by stripping away the protective layers of the skin. Web MD reports that there is No Advantage to Antibacterial Soap. Now while there is certainly a place for antibacterial soaps and cleaners in our lives, it seems that just washing with good old real soap (and washing long enough to sing your ABC's, I'm reminded) is as good at keeping us clean, safe and healthy as anything.
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