For someone who wishes to escape YEAST, I surely do write a lot about it.

I have been pondering the difficulty that we are all having in resolving
the yeast problems, or why they are so numerous to begin with.  One idea I
have is that there is excessive use of "anti-bacterial everything." I read
about a year ago of some scientists growing concerned about the use of
anti-bacterial soaps in every home.  They said that these soaps kill off
just the weak bacteria, some of which are beneficial to health. They spoke
of the un-natural imbalance that is created, when we are all supposed to be
nurturing a co-habitation of a variety of flora.

Now, I'm wondering if the anti-bacterial hand soap, a-b bath soap (washing
over mom's nipples), a-b mouth wash, a-b deoderant, a-b wound creams and
sprays, a-b household sprays, and on and on, could be contributing in
creating an environment that is favorable to yeast overgrowth.

Many people see bacteria as the enemy of health and the commercials on TV
play on these fears to sell their many anti-bacterial products.  Bacteria
is not the enemy.  The effort to kill off all bacteria just robs us of a
healthy balance of normal body flora, which then sets us up for many
illnesses, including yeast overgrowth.

I encourage moms who are working with a yeast imbalance to use soaps that
are not antibacterial.  Many do not heed my advice.  They are so programmed
to see any bacteria as unhealthful.

Patricia Gima, IBCLC
Milwaukee
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