Our Obsession with Cleanliness
Germophobe: A person with an extreme fear of germs and an obsession with cleanliness.
Mysophobia, germophobia, verminophobia, and bascillophobia are all a fear of contamination and germs, thought to be related to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Although many people feel the need to clean, not all are afflicted with one of these disorders.
Considering the fact that I just finished a thorough cleaning of our home, it's a bit ironic that I'm writing about our obsession with cleanliness. I know over the years I've spent far too much time cleaning because I couldn't stand the thought of a dirty house. Fortunately, with age I have relaxed a bit, but still can't seem to totally let it go without feeling that things are "dirty". At least I have reduced the thorough cleaning to bi-weekly.
People tend to think that the more they clean the less germy their home is. However, over cleaning can not only wipe out good bacteria, but create an environment so sterile that mold and fungus can thrive. These fungi are becoming resistant to cleaning agents that are used, and are much harder to kill.
When antibacterial soaps became available everyone jumped on the band wagon and felt compelled to use them; they were convinced that they would be cleaner and healthier with regular use. The truth is they have the potential to create antibiotic resistant bacteria.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has said that there is not enough science to show that over-the-counter antibacterial soaps are better at preventing illness than washing with plain soap and water. Antibacterial liquid soaps also contain triclosan which is concerning. Animal studies have shown that triclosan alters the way some hormones work, which raises many questions as to the effect on humans with long term use.
While we are busy scrubbing away bacteria, we are removing the good bacteria with the bad. We have many bacteria in our body (more than we have cells), and most are good for us. The ones in our gut help digest food, and also work all over our body and can be good for our physical and mental health as well.
There is the old saying that "cleanliness is next to Godliness". However, there is also the one that states "you will eat a peck of dirt before you die". Perhaps if we take both into account, we can keep our environment clean while still allowing the good bacteria live in harmony with us.
Mysophobia, germophobia, verminophobia, and bascillophobia are all a fear of contamination and germs, thought to be related to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Although many people feel the need to clean, not all are afflicted with one of these disorders.
Considering the fact that I just finished a thorough cleaning of our home, it's a bit ironic that I'm writing about our obsession with cleanliness. I know over the years I've spent far too much time cleaning because I couldn't stand the thought of a dirty house. Fortunately, with age I have relaxed a bit, but still can't seem to totally let it go without feeling that things are "dirty". At least I have reduced the thorough cleaning to bi-weekly.
People tend to think that the more they clean the less germy their home is. However, over cleaning can not only wipe out good bacteria, but create an environment so sterile that mold and fungus can thrive. These fungi are becoming resistant to cleaning agents that are used, and are much harder to kill.
When antibacterial soaps became available everyone jumped on the band wagon and felt compelled to use them; they were convinced that they would be cleaner and healthier with regular use. The truth is they have the potential to create antibiotic resistant bacteria.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has said that there is not enough science to show that over-the-counter antibacterial soaps are better at preventing illness than washing with plain soap and water. Antibacterial liquid soaps also contain triclosan which is concerning. Animal studies have shown that triclosan alters the way some hormones work, which raises many questions as to the effect on humans with long term use.
While we are busy scrubbing away bacteria, we are removing the good bacteria with the bad. We have many bacteria in our body (more than we have cells), and most are good for us. The ones in our gut help digest food, and also work all over our body and can be good for our physical and mental health as well.
There is the old saying that "cleanliness is next to Godliness". However, there is also the one that states "you will eat a peck of dirt before you die". Perhaps if we take both into account, we can keep our environment clean while still allowing the good bacteria live in harmony with us.
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