Question 1

my astringent active ingred. is2.0% salicylic acid (acne medication) and my face wash is 0.25% triclosan (aniseptic) is that ok to use while pregnant?

Accepted Answer

Tough: We always worry about fetus exposures.
Can you hold off on a cosmetic(acne)treatment during the pregnancy?

Question 2

is triclosan dangerous?

Accepted Answer

Possibly: Triclosan may alter endocrine function (thyroid) and might lead to the formation of possible carcinogens (chloroform). The fda is currently investigating these possibilities.

Question 3

should i be avoiding products with triclosan?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily: Soap is effective at removing and killing bacteria when an adequate amount of scrubbing or rubbing is used.  You should rub your hand together at least as long as it takes to sing the abcs (abacavir) or the happy birthday song to ensure that you have adequately cleaned your hands.  For most uses antibacterial chemicals like triclosan are not needed and may increase bacterial resistance to anti-infectives.

Question 4

what will happen if you end up eating some triclosan?

Accepted Answer

Probably nothing: There are no reports of human poisoning from ingestion of triclosan. Triclosan is reportedly harmful to algae & causes reproductive & developmental abnormalities in certain fish. There is a report of liver & kidney injury in rats. If you use one of the many toothpastes containing triclosan then you are already swallowing a little bit of this broad-spectrum antibiotic.

Question 5

does anyone else have a reaction to triclosan?  is it rare?

Accepted Answer

Triclosan & allergy: Triclosan was linked to increased risk for developing environmental allergies in a 2010 study.  Using products containing triclosan seemed to make children more likely to develop problems like allergic rhinitis (hay fever).  Other types of problems with triclosan such as contact dermatitis are possible but are rare.

Question 6

what are the risks in using triclosan?

Accepted Answer

Triclosan risks: At this time, the fda is unsure of the risks triclosan poses to humans. If ingested, it might adversely effect thyroid function. Their is also a theoretical risk of triclosan combining with chlorine in drinking water to form chloroform, a probable cancer causing agent.

Question 7

how does triclosan work to kill germs?

Accepted Answer

Depends: Triclosan works by interfering with a bacteria's ability to build cell membranes (basically the skin of the germ). At low concentrations triclosan is bacteriostatic meaning it prevents bacteria from increasing in number. At higher concentrations triclosan kills bacteria. The use of triclosan at low concentrations may permit the emergence of pathogenic germs resistant to its effects.

Question 8

does using triclosan encourage bacteria to develop resistance?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Triclosan doe encourage resistance.

Question 9

are there triclosan-free antibiotic soaps?

Accepted Answer

Yes, sort of: Soaps without triclosan are "antibacterial" because washing with soap takes the dirt & germs off of one's skin, rinsing everything away with warm water from the faucet. Adding triclosan doesn't give additional benefit over using plain soaps, but does send a lot of triclosan chemical into our environment. If "mrsa bacteria" is causing infections, a doctor can give special instructions on bathing.

Question 10

is triclosan better and safer than stannous fluoride?

Accepted Answer

Triclosan: Triclosan is actually a registered pesticide that has anti-microbial actions against bacteria. It has been found to block throid function in bull frogs and rats. It is a component of some toothpastes used for gingivitis, mouthwashes and hand soaps. The fda is unsure if it is safe for human consumption and is re-studying this matter. 2% triclosan can help tp kill a bad-actor bacteria -mrsa on skin.

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Doctor answers about:

Triclosan medication

A member asked:

My astringent active ingred. is2.0% salicylic acid (acne medication) and my face wash is 0.25% triclosan (aniseptic) is that ok to use while pregnant?

A member asked:

Is triclosan dangerous?

A member asked:

Should i be avoiding products with triclosan?

A member asked:

What will happen if you end up eating some triclosan?

A member asked:

Does anyone else have a reaction to triclosan? is it rare?

A member asked:

What are the risks in using triclosan?

A member asked:

How does triclosan work to kill germs?

A member asked:

Does using triclosan encourage bacteria to develop resistance?

A member asked:

Are there triclosan-free antibiotic soaps?

A member asked:

Is triclosan better and safer than stannous fluoride?

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