The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Cosmetics can cause infections

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Dec 14, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Cosmetics can cause infections

Staff Reporter

Bangalore: Next time you have your bubble bath, remember this: too much of soap or cleansing of intimate areas with cosmetics may upset the pH balance and lead to gynaecological infections, which in severe cases may cause infertility.

Speaking to presspersons here on Thursday, Prakash Kini, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, Wockhardt Hospitals and Cradle, said at least 30 per cent of women suffer from vaginal infections. Such infections are on the rise because of various reasons, including stress and a fast-paced lifestyle.

Use with care

“There are too many beauty products and indiscriminate use of these products can do much harm. Soap is alkaline; it neutralises the natural acidic film on the skin area thus facilitating the elimination of good bacteria called ‘Lactobacilli’ that prevents the bad bacteria from infecting the female reproductive system. Normal hygiene, cleaning with a mild soap is essential, but excessive use of water and soap and overzealous cleaning may lead to soreness and itching and fungal or bacterial infection,” Dr. Kini said.

Uma Devi, Professor and Head of the Department of Gynaecology at the M.S. Ramaiah Medical College and Hospital, said that apart from soap, menstruation and menopause, obesity and use of immunosuppressant drugs may raise the pH balance, leading to infections. “If these infections are left untreated it can be harmful for the sexual health and should not be ignored. Avoiding harsh skin products and consulting a medical expert if there is soreness and itching is important to avoid infections,” Dr. Uma Devi added.

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