The Effect of Single and Repeated Applications of Hexchlorophane on the Bacterial Flora of the Skin of the Newborn

SUMMARY. It has been shown previously that suppression of clinical pyogenic infection in infants as well as a reduction of the resident skin flora follows the application of hexachlorophane. In this study, the skin flora of 55 newborn babies was examined in 6 sites before and after washing the skin with soap and water and with single and repeated applications of hexachlorophane respectively. Marked suppression of the resident skin flora (diphtheroids and Staphylococcus albus) and of Staph. aureus followed the use of both single and daily applications of hexachlorophane, the effect being more marked and prolonged with the repeated use of hexachlorophane. No significant effect on streptococci and E. col i was seen but an increase of proteus followed the use of hexachlorophane. No irritation of the skin or other side effects attributable to hexachlorophane were observed.