Does triclosan in antibacterial soap raise allergy risk in kids?
A 2025 HOME Study paper linked higher childhood urinary triclosan with higher reported eczema and allergic rhinitis symptoms.
What's actually in it
Triclosan is an antimicrobial chemical once used in some soaps and still found in some personal care and treated products. Its related chemical triclocarban can show up in similar antimicrobial products.
The FDA no longer allows triclosan in over-the-counter consumer hand soaps, but families can still run into antimicrobial marketing in other products. Plain soap is enough for everyday handwashing.
What the research says
A 2025 Environmental Health Perspectives paper followed children in the HOME Study from pregnancy to age 12. The researchers measured urinary triclosan in mother-child pairs and tracked eczema, allergic rhinitis, and wheeze symptoms.
Each 2-fold higher childhood triclosan level was linked with 1.23x higher risk of eczema and 1.12x higher risk of allergic rhinitis. The study did not find a clear childhood link with wheeze.
For kids, keep it boring: use plain soap and water, skip antimicrobial coatings, and check labels for triclosan or triclocarban.