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Ecological effects of a deodorant and a plain soap upon human skin bacteria

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

David J. Bibel
David J. Bibel
Affiliation:
Department of Dermatology Research, Letterman Army Institute of Research, San Francisco, California 94129
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Summary

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The effects of a commercial trichlorocarbanilide-containing deodorant soap and a commercial plain soap upon the cutaneous flora of individuals were compared. Using a cross-over design, 21 volunteers (10 women and 11 men) washed their forearms at least once a day with one soap for 3 weeks and then switched soaps for another 4 weeks use. By analysis of variance no significant difference in total colony counts was noted among individuals in their use of the two soaps. With the exception of individual variation, neither sequence of use, sex, nor any combination was influential. However, in 20 of 21 subjects an alteration in the composition of skin flora was observed. The deodorant soap, which in six cases increased total flora, tended to reduce or eliminate diphtheroids in 12 of 17 carriers (71%). Fewer kinds of bacteria were also noted. More Staphylococcus epidermidis was seen with the plain soap, but washing with the deodorant soap seemed to favour Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and Micrococcus luteus. The impact of this alteration and the use of total counts to measure effectiveness of deodorant soaps were brought into question.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Hygiene , Volume 78 , Issue 1 , February 1977 , pp. 1 - 10
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1977

References

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