ANTISEPTIC SOAPS AND BODY CLEANSING AGENTS AND ITS EFFECTS ON THE NORMAL FLORA OF THE HUMAN SKIN
Sylvanus Akpak Upula*, Emmanuel E. Bassey and Uchenna Eze Ije
ABSTRACT
Studies have shown that plain and antiseptic soaps are effective in keeping the skin from microbial contaminants. However, prolong use of antimicrobial soaps has been implicated with potential health challenges. This present research was carried out to determine the effects of some selected antiseptic soaps and cleansing agents on the bacterial flora of the skin based on its potential influence on the total aerobic bacterial flora on five skin sites. Based on treatment exposure, the result showed that subjects exposed to antiseptic soaps alone had mean aerobic bacterial count ranging from 137±40.0Cfu/cm2 to 461±75.51Cfu/cm2. Furthermore, it was observed that individuals who were exposed to antiseptic soaps + cleansing agents had mean aerobic counts ranging from 90±50.83Cfu/cm2 to 307±83.93Cfu/cm2, while the mean aerobic bacterial count from the control subjects ranged from 282±83.93Cfu/cm2 to 834±118.82Cfu/cm2. ANOVA result revealed that there was significant differences (p
[Full Text Article] [Download Certificate]