Have We Gotten "Germaphobic"?
By pyewacket
@pyewacket (43903)
United States
August 13, 2015 5:10pm CST
Another person here inspired me to do this discussion. She was asking if people use those hand sanitizers.
For the record, no I don't use hand sanitizers nor any antibacterial products. Constant use of them can actually lower the immune system by cleaning and "sanitizing" away the "good germs" that can keep the immune system strong.
When the H1N1 flu first broke out some years ago, I was actually in a hot spot due to the flu and schools were even closed down. Did I use hand sanitizers every time I touched a public door for instance? Nope. Did I get the flu? Nope. In fact I haven't had the flu since I was eleven years old.
To keep my home clean I go for a more go-green and natural approach to clean my home,, I don't even use any "popular" household cleaners, such as Pine-sol or Lysol, since many contain ingredients that be toxic especially to pets. One such ingredient is Phenol, that can cause severe neurological damage even death to especially cats. Long time ago, I wrote an article about this very issue.
There is an interesting article on the FDA website all about the ingredients triclosan and triclocarban, two ingredients often found in antibacterial products and the FDA questions the validity of such ingredients and safety factor. I'm not sure if I can post a link to it here or if allowed, but google up FDA Taking Closer Look at 'Antibacterial' Soap which should take you to that article of theirs.
As far as keeping my hands clean? Good old soap and water for me. In my opinion, I think many people have gotten way too "germaphobic'. What's your take?
Here's the link to that article:
Will antibacterial soaps, in addition to keeping you clean, reduce your risk of getting an infection? Data suggest that the risks associated with long-term, daily use, may outweigh the benefits. Learn why FDA is asking for more evidence.
7 people like this
10 responses
@phyrre (2317)
• United States
14 Aug 15
People are definitely too germaphobic, in my opinion, to a crazy extent. I mean, I can understand exercising caution, which I highly recommend when it makes sense to, but I know people who let their three-year-olds run around with hand sanitizer using it every time they touch something. I know people who will freak out if someone they don't know touches their baby because they might be carrying some weird, catastrophic germ.
I mean, I fully support everyone's ability to be individuals, and if it makes someone happy to try to protect themselves from everything then I support that. For me, it would drive me absolutely batty.
My four-year-old dropped something on the floor yesterday, picked it up, blew on it, popped it in her mouth, and went about her day. Probably not recommended (and obviously she doesn't do it outside or in public settings), but I had to laugh because I remember being the same way. In my house, we had the "10-second rule". xD
EDIT: Actually, I should clarify, in case my mother reads this. ;) My father and us kids had the 10-second rule. My mother had, "[insert full name], you're not really going to eat that, are you?"
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (160611)
• United States
14 Aug 15
Some exposure to dirt builds up our immune system. My mom was told to make sure I got outside with as few clothes on as possible and touch the ground and the grass, etc. It also seems to make kids smarter.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
14 Aug 15
I agree that parents nowadays may be a tad over cautious. I think about my own childhood…would play with dirt, go to a public park and touch the monkey bars, swings, whatever, without a care in the world, and neither did my mother as far as germs
1 person likes this
@howard96h (11640)
• New York, New York
13 Aug 15
I have to admit I do use the sanitizer, just the thought of some of the nasty crap flowing around out there gets me nervous. I hate touching those baskets and shopping carts in the supermarkets - Ewwww!
3 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
14 Aug 15
I just don't think that way. We're surrounded by germs all the time, including airborne types
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160611)
• United States
14 Aug 15
I do not think of it on shopping carts. I do want to use a paper towel to open a rest room door. I do wash my hands a lot at home. I always did, even as a youngster.
2 people like this
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
14 Aug 15
I'm with you..just soap and water and as organic as i am able..old school uses that i was taught by my grandparents work the best..
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
14 Aug 15
Yup, and I prefer using products not tested on animals
2 people like this
@celticeagle (166660)
• Boise, Idaho
14 Aug 15
A lot of the chemicals make me and my animals sick. I use soda, vinegar, and such things. It is amazing what these can clean. But, I sometimes wonder if these chemicals won't be needed to kill some these horrible bugs and bacteria. Hmm.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
27 Aug 15
I don't like chemical cleaners either since many are toxic to pets and I have to think of my two kitties, I also use vinegar, baking soda, and did you know the combo of those two can de-clog drains? Much better than those poisonous drain de-cloggers.
1 person likes this
@stine1online (835)
• Germany
14 Aug 15
Well, as long as you are not Germanphobic ;-)
Anyway, I can't say that I use them much. I'm rather the "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" kind of girl.
2 people like this
@savak03 (6684)
• United States
23 Aug 15
I have a good friend here in my town that kept her house sooo clean. She bleached and scrubbed everything, even the aluminum frames in her windows. She began to develop allergies to certain perfumes and odors. When she went to her doctor he told her it was because she had compromised her own immune system with all that cleaning. Now she has to use special products to clean with that will not make her sick and she hardly ever comes out in public anymore. Just the whiff of a perfume would stop her breathing. So yes I say we can take this germaphobic thing to far.
@No_Filter (14)
• United States
14 Aug 15
I think we have, people are too damn worried about germs now days. It is stupid.
1 person likes this
@Saira97 (1)
• India
14 Aug 15
I can definitely relate to this coz i am a huge germaphobic. I cannot rest in peace until I've washed my hands at least 3 times after a visit to a public restroom. This phobia is just growing with time. I guess this can be attributed to all the hype on the use of sanitizers and antibacterial handwashes,
1 person likes this
