Antibacterial/antimicrobial

[Phaycops]

Hm. I have here in my hand some soap that says it is "antimicrobial," and some Dial that says it is "antibacterial." I've looked up the definitions of each, but they are no help. So what, if any, is the difference between a soap that is "antibacterial," and one that is "antimicrobial"?

[bug_girl]

i have a vague memory that one is related to mechanical disruption of the cell membrane (regular soap) and one contains antibiotics to inhibit cell growth and reproduction.
also, i think the AMA recently came out against antibiotic soap....i'll look for that....it's related to increased bacterial resistance.

Edit: found it!
http://www.cnn.com/2000/HEALTH/06/14/antibacterial.soap02/
"The group warned that while the use of antimicrobial products does not necessarily contribute to drug resistance, "such use may be a potential source of antibiotic resistant organisms" that are not killed by standard medical treatments"

[Prester John]

Antibacterials kill bacteria

Antimicrobials kill microorganisms - a group that includes bacteria, but also includes fungi and viruses

To be honest i would just use ordinary soap coz its just as effective :)

PJ

[epepke]

Originally posted by bug_girl
i have a vague memory that one is related to mechanical disruption of the cell membrane (regular soap) and one contains antibiotics to inhibit cell growth and reproduction.
also, i think the AMA recently came out against antibiotic soap....i'll look for that....it's related to increased bacterial resistance.

I also remember when there were hand lotions that were advertised as being antibacterial. It turns out that the ingredient just inhibited reproduction, which is pretty much not one's main concern when one has chicken fat all over ones hands.

Most detergents are pretty anti-anything-that's-alive, so I don't worry about it much.

[Phaycops]

Antibacterials kill bacteria

Antimicrobials kill microorganisms - a group that includes bacteria, but also includes fungi and viruses


Thanks. That's kinda what I thought. I don't usually use anything other than regular soap anyway, but this anti-microbial stuff is for piercings. I also figured if it kills fungus, than I can use it on my feetsies to help prevent athlete's foot, which I get a lot for some reason :) Mmm...toe fungus....