Daily Soap Usage: Often the entire family uses the same soap in homes, whether someone is sick or healthy. Due to this, some people fear that by using the same soap, infections or diseases may spread from one person to another. For this reason some people do not share their bathing soap with anyone.
According to health experts, when we use the same soap, there is a possibility of bacteria like E.coli, Salmonella, and Shigella growing in it. Although bacteria may be present on the surface of soap, the risk of spreading disease from soap is very low. When we rub the soap with water, the bacteria are eliminated. Therefore, under normal circumstances soap is less likely to spread infection. Still, using personal soap is considered a safer and better option, especially if someone in the household is sick.
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Serious bacteria on bar of soap
Serious bacteria remain on the bar of soap. According to the ‘Indian Journal of Dental Research’, during the year 2006 April-June, 2-5 different types of bacteria accumulate on the soap. According to research conducted in a hospital in the American Journal of Infection Control in 2015, 62 percent of the soaps were found dirty. Whereas 3 percent liquid soaps were dirty. The bacteria hidden on soap spread from one person to another. (Daily Soap Usage)
According to health experts, the bacteria growing on soap include E.coli, Salmonella and Shigella bacteria causing viruses like norovirus, rotavirus and staph. These bacteria and viruses also start spreading due to wounds on the body or scratches on the skin. According to the researcher, bacteria grow on soap. But they spread disease from one body to another. According to The New York Times, according to a report published in 1965, he soiled his hands with about 5 billion bacteria as part of an experiment. This bacteria causes diseases like staph and E. coli. After this the scientist took a bar of soap in his hands due to which it spread from one person to another.
How do bacteria get on soap?
According to health experts, E.coli, Salmonella and Shigella bacteria may be present on the soap. Apart from this, viruses like norovirus, rotavirus and staph can also be present on soap. If someone is injured or scratched, the bacteria from using one soap can spread to another. In such a situation, you should think twice before using a soap.
Can soap spread disease?
Even though bacteria are present on soap, researchers have not yet found out whether the disease spreads through soap in general or not. A study was conducted in 1965, in which hands full of bacteria were washed with soap, then another person washed his hands with the same soap, but the bacteria of the first person did not reach him. Therefore soap cannot spread diseases.
Risk of infection from soap
Even though using soap seems safe, there is an infection that can spread if the same soap is used by everyone. A study conducted in America in 2008 revealed that an infection called methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) can be spread through soap. This is antibiotic-resistant staph infection. This is the reason why people are advised not to use one soap.