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Okazaki K, Fujino Y, Morikawa Y. Effects of ultra-pure soft water on the hands of nurses in a neonatal intensive care unit: A randomized crossover study. Contact Dermatitis 2022; 87:521-527. [PMID: 35718935 DOI: 10.1111/cod.14177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Healthcare workers (HCWs) wash their hands with tap water (TW) and soap. However, hard TW causes dermatitis. OBJECTIVES The present study aimed to compare the effects of ultra-pure soft water (UPSW) with those of TW on the hands of HWCs. METHODS The present study was a prospective randomized trial with a crossover design. All the nurses in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at the study centre were divided into Sequence 1 (UPSW to TW) or 2 (TW to UPSW) and washed their hands with TW or UPSW in alternating 4-week periods with a 4-week washout period. Trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and stratum corneum hydration (SCH) were evaluated. Skin condition was self-assessed. RESULTS Twenty-one and 22 nurses were assigned to Sequence 1 and Sequence 2, respectively. USPW increased SCH to a significantly greater degree than TW (mean: 26.3 μS ± 12.3 SD; 95% confidence interval: 1.12-51.54; p = 0.041) although it did not affect TEWL. UPSW use significantly improved the subjects' skin condition, as reflected in an overall increase in the assessment scores. CONCLUSIONS UPSW improved SCH and the condition of hand skin. Prolonged USPW use may increase nurses' comfort during work and hand hygiene compliance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaoru Okazaki
- Department of Neonatology, Tokyo Metropolitan Children's Medical Center, Fuchu, Japan
| | - Yuta Fujino
- Division of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Tokyo Metropolitan Children's Medical Center, Fuchu, Japan
| | - Yoshihiko Morikawa
- Clinical Research Support Center, Tokyo Metropolitan Children's Medical Center, Fuchu, Japan
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Jabbar-Lopez ZK, Ezzamouri B, Briley A, Greenblatt D, Gurung N, Chalmers JR, Thomas KS, Frost T, Kezic S, Common JEA, Danby S, Cork MJ, Peacock JL, Flohr C. Randomized controlled pilot trial with ion-exchange water softeners to prevent eczema (SOFTER trial). Clin Exp Allergy 2021; 52:405-415. [PMID: 34854157 DOI: 10.1111/cea.14071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Observational studies suggest an increased risk of eczema in children living in hard versus soft water areas, and there is, therefore, an interest in knowing whether softening water may prevent eczema. We evaluated the feasibility of a parallel-group assessor-blinded pilot randomized controlled trial to test whether installing a domestic ion-exchange water softener before birth in hard water areas reduces the risk of eczema in infants with a family history of atopy. METHODS Pregnant women living in hard water areas (>250 mg/L calcium carbonate) in and around London UK, were randomized 1:1 antenatally to either have an ion-exchange water softener installed in their home or not (ie to continue to receive usual domestic hard water). Infants were assessed at birth and followed up for 6 months. The main end-points were around feasibility, the primary end-point being the proportion of eligible families screened who were willing and able to be randomized. Clinical end-points were evaluated including frequency of parent-reported doctor-diagnosed eczema and visible eczema on skin examination. Descriptive analyses were conducted, and no statistical testing was performed as this was a pilot study. RESULTS One hundred and forty-nine families screened were eligible antenatally and 28% (41/149) could not have a water softener installed due to technical reasons or lack of landlord approval. Eighty of 149 (54%) were randomized, the primary end-point. Two participants withdrew immediately after randomization, leaving 39 participants in each arm (78 total). Attrition was 15% (12/78) by 6 months postpartum. All respondents (n = 69) to the study acceptability questionnaire reported that the study was acceptable. Fifty-six of 708 (7.9%) water samples in the water softener arm were above the hard water threshold of 20 mg/L CaCO3 . At 6 months of age 27/67 infants (40%) developed visible eczema, 12/36 (33%) vs. 15/31 (48%) in the water softener and control groups, respectively, difference -15% (95% CI -38, 8.3%), with most assessments (≥96%) remaining blinded. Similarly, a lower proportion of infants in the water softener arm had parent-reported, doctor-diagnosed eczema by 6 months compared to the control arm, 6/17 (35%) versus 9/19 (47%), difference -12% (95% CI -44, 20%). CONCLUSION A randomized controlled trial of water softeners for the prevention of atopic eczema in high-risk infants is feasible and acceptable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z K Jabbar-Lopez
- Unit for Population-Based Dermatology, St John's Institute of Dermatology, King's College London and Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - B Ezzamouri
- Unit for Population-Based Dermatology, St John's Institute of Dermatology, King's College London and Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - A Briley
- Women's Health, King's College London and Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.,Caring Futures Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - D Greenblatt
- Unit for Population-Based Dermatology, St John's Institute of Dermatology, King's College London and Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - N Gurung
- Unit for Population-Based Dermatology, St John's Institute of Dermatology, King's College London and Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - J R Chalmers
- Centre of Evidence-Based Dermatology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - K S Thomas
- Centre of Evidence-Based Dermatology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - T Frost
- Aqua Focus Ltd., Shrewsbury, UK
| | - S Kezic
- Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - J E A Common
- Skin Research Institute of Singapore, A*STAR, Singapore, Singapore
| | - S Danby
- Department of Infection, Sheffield Dermatology Research, Immunity & Cardiovascular Diseases, The University of Sheffield Medical School, Sheffield, UK
| | - M J Cork
- Department of Infection, Sheffield Dermatology Research, Immunity & Cardiovascular Diseases, The University of Sheffield Medical School, Sheffield, UK
| | - J L Peacock
- School of Population Health and Environmental Sciences, King's College London, London, UK.,Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Dartmouth College, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA
| | - C Flohr
- Unit for Population-Based Dermatology, St John's Institute of Dermatology, King's College London and Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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Bawany F, Beck LA, Järvinen KM. Halting the March: Primary Prevention of Atopic Dermatitis and Food Allergies. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract 2021; 8:860-875. [PMID: 32147139 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2019.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the most common inflammatory skin conditions, affecting 15% to 30% of children and 2% to 10% of adults. Population-based studies suggest that having AD is associated with subsequent development of other atopic diseases, in what is known as the "atopic march." We will provide an overview of studies that investigate primary prevention strategies for the first 2 diseases in the march, namely, AD and food allergies (FA). These strategies include emollients, breastfeeding, microbial exposures, probiotics, vitamin D and UV light, water hardness, and immunotherapy. Some studies, including randomized controlled trials on emollients and microbial supplementation, have found encouraging results; however, the evidence remains limited and contradictory. With regard to breastfeeding, microbial and lifestyle exposures, vitamin D and UV light, water hardness, and immunotherapy, the lack of randomized controlled trials makes it difficult to draw definitive conclusions. Current American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines support the idea that breastfeeding for 3 to 4 months can decrease AD incidence in children less than 2 years old. Recommendations regarding a direct relationship between breastfeeding on FA, however, cannot be made because of insufficient data. Regarding microbial supplementation, most guidelines do not recommend probiotics or prebiotics for the purpose of preventing allergic diseases because of limited evidence. Before definitive conclusions can be made regarding these interventions, more well-designed, longitudinal, and randomized controlled trials, particularly in at-risk populations, are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatima Bawany
- School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY
| | - Lisa A Beck
- Department of Dermatology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY.
| | - Kirsi M Järvinen
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Allergy and Immunology & Center for Food Allergy, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY
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4
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Jabbar-Lopez ZK, Ung CY, Alexander H, Gurung N, Chalmers J, Danby S, Cork MJ, Peacock JL, Flohr C. The effect of water hardness on atopic eczema, skin barrier function: A systematic review, meta-analysis. Clin Exp Allergy 2020; 51:430-451. [PMID: 33259122 DOI: 10.1111/cea.13797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hard domestic water has been reported to worsen atopic eczema (AE) and may contribute to its development in early life. OBJECTIVE To review the literature on the relationship between the effect of water hardness (high calcium carbonate; CaCO3 ) on (a) the risk of developing AE, (b) the treatment of existing AE and (c) skin barrier function in human and animal studies. DESIGN , DATA SOURCES AND ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA We systematically searched databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, GREAT and Web of Science) from inception until 30/6/2020. Human and animal observational and experimental studies were included. The primary outcomes were risk of AE and skin barrier function. Studies were meta-analysed using a random effects model. Evidence certainty was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) approach. RESULTS Sixteen studies were included. Pooled observational data from seven studies on 385,901 participants identified increased odds of AE in children exposed to harder versus softer water (odds ratio 1.28, 95% CI 1.09, 1.50; GRADE certainty: very low). Two mechanistic studies in humans reported higher deposition of the detergent sodium lauryl sulphate in those exposed to harder versus softer water. Two randomized controlled trials comparing water softeners with standard care did not show a significant difference in objective AE severity with softened water (standardized mean difference 0.06 standard deviations higher, 95% CI 0.16 lower to 0.27 higher; GRADE certainty: moderate). CONCLUSIONS & CLINICAL RELEVANCE There was a positive association between living in a hard water (range: 76 to > 350 mg/L CaCO3 ) area and AE in children. There is no evidence that domestic water softeners improve objective disease severity in established AE. There may be a role of water hardness in the initiation of skin inflammation in early life, but there is a need for further longitudinal and interventional studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zarif K Jabbar-Lopez
- Unit for Population-Based Dermatology, St John's Institute of Dermatology, King's College London and Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Chuin Ying Ung
- Unit for Population-Based Dermatology, St John's Institute of Dermatology, King's College London and Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Helen Alexander
- Unit for Population-Based Dermatology, St John's Institute of Dermatology, King's College London and Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Nikeeta Gurung
- Unit for Population-Based Dermatology, St John's Institute of Dermatology, King's College London and Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Joanne Chalmers
- Centre of Evidence Based Dermatology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Simon Danby
- Sheffield Dermatology Research, Department of Infection, Immunity & Cardiovascular Diseases, The University of Sheffield Medical School, Sheffield, UK
| | - Michael J Cork
- Sheffield Dermatology Research, Department of Infection, Immunity & Cardiovascular Diseases, The University of Sheffield Medical School, Sheffield, UK
| | - Janet L Peacock
- School of Population Health and Environmental Sciences, King's College London, London, UK.,Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Carsten Flohr
- Unit for Population-Based Dermatology, St John's Institute of Dermatology, King's College London and Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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5
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Jabbar-Lopez ZK, Gurung N, Greenblatt D, Briley A, Chalmers JR, Thomas KS, Frost T, Kezic S, Common JEA, Kong HH, Segre JA, Danby S, Cork MJ, Peacock JL, Flohr C. Protocol for an outcome assessor-blinded pilot randomised controlled trial of an ion-exchange water softener for the prevention of atopic eczema in neonates, with an embedded mechanistic study: the Softened Water for Eczema Prevention (SOFTER) trial. BMJ Open 2019; 9:e027168. [PMID: 31434765 PMCID: PMC6707708 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-027168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Atopic eczema affects 20% of UK children, and environmental factors are important in its aetiology. Several observational studies suggest an increased risk of atopic eczema in children living in hard water areas. The Softened Water for Eczema Prevention pilot trial tests the feasibility of installing domestic ion-exchange water softeners around the time of birth to reduce the risk of atopic eczema in children with a family history of atopy. A further aim is to explore the pathophysiological mechanisms for this in an embedded mechanistic study. METHODS AND ANALYSIS Multicentre parallel group assessor-blinded randomised controlled pilot trial. Participants are newborn babies (n=80) living in a hard water (>250 mg/L calcium carbonate) area at risk of developing atopic eczema because of a family history of atopy. Participants will be randomised prior to birth in a 1:1 ratio. The intervention group will have an ion-exchange water softener installed prior to birth. The control group will receive their usual domestic hard water supply. Follow-up will be until 6 months of age. Data will be collected at birth (baseline), 1, 3 and 6 months of age. The main outcome is the proportion of eligible families screened who are willing and able to be randomised. Several secondary feasibility and clinical endpoints will also be evaluated, alongside mechanistic outcomes. Data will be analysed on an intention-to-treat basis. There will be no hypothesis testing for the clinical outcomes. Study acceptability will be evaluated through semistructured interviews. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This study has been reviewed and given a favourable opinion by the North West-Liverpool East Research Ethics Committee (Ref: 17/NW/0661). The results of the study will be reported at international conferences and in peer-reviewed scientific journals. We will send participating families a summary of the pilot trial results. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT03270566.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zarif K Jabbar-Lopez
- Unit for Population-Based Dermatology Research, St John's Institute of Dermatology, King's College London and Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Nikeeta Gurung
- Unit for Population-Based Dermatology Research, St John's Institute of Dermatology, King's College London and Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Danielle Greenblatt
- Unit for Population-Based Dermatology Research, St John's Institute of Dermatology, King's College London and Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | | | - Joanne R Chalmers
- Centre of Evidence-Based Dermatology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Kim Suzanne Thomas
- Centre of Evidence-Based Dermatology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | | | - Sanja Kezic
- Coronel Institute of Occupational Health, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - John E A Common
- Skin Research Institute of Singapore, A*STAR, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Heidi H Kong
- Dermatology Branch, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Julie A Segre
- Translational and Functional Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Simon Danby
- Sheffield Dermatology Research, Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Diseases, University of Sheffield Medical School, Sheffield, UK
| | - Michael J Cork
- Sheffield Dermatology Research, Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Diseases, University of Sheffield Medical School, Sheffield, UK
| | - Janet L Peacock
- School of Population Health and Environmental Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Carsten Flohr
- Unit for Population-Based Dermatology Research, St John's Institute of Dermatology, King's College London and Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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7
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Amagai Y, Makita Y, Takai M, Muko R, Matsuda H, Tanaka A. Reduction in the colonization of Staphylococcus aureus on the skin surface under calcium-/magnesium-depleted conditions. Lett Appl Microbiol 2018; 67:343-347. [PMID: 30015352 DOI: 10.1111/lam.13037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2018] [Revised: 06/18/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Excessive expansion of Staphylococcus aureus is associated with several skin diseases, including atopic dermatitis (AD). Recently, we have demonstrated that washing skins with ultra-pure soft water containing little bivalent metal ions improved skin conditions of atopic subjects. In this study, we investigated the roles of calcium or magnesium on the proliferation of S. aureus both in vitro and in vivo. Depletion of calcium and magnesium in the culture medium significantly suppressed the expansion of S. aureus growth. When S. aureus, diluted with water containing calcium/magnesium at the concentration of medium-hard water (83·0 mg l-1 as CaCO3 ) or the one that contains little calcium/magnesium, was applied onto the tape-stripped skin of Hos:HR-1 mice, growth of S. aureus in water without those minerals on the skin was suppressed. These results suggest that depletion of both calcium and magnesium abrogate the proliferation of S. aureus not only in the culture system but also on the skin surface of mice. Since colonization of S. aureus on the skin is well-known to exacerbate AD symptoms, usage of ultra-pure soft water containing less calcium and magnesium may improve the skin condition through the suppression of S. aureus growth on the skin of patients with skin problems. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY This study demonstrates the importance of calcium and magnesium for the colonization and growth of Staphylococcus aureus by using both in vitro culture systems and in vivo experiments on the murine skin. Our results indicate that the removal of these metal ions is probably beneficial for protecting the skin from S. aureus. Thus, using ultra-pure soft water without metal ions may improve the skin condition of patients with skin problems through the protection from S. aureus colonization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Amagai
- Cooperative Major in Advanced Health Science, Graduate School of Bio-Applications and System Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan.,Research Fellow of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Y Makita
- R&D Center, MIURA CO., LTD., Ehime, Japan
| | - M Takai
- R&D Center, MIURA CO., LTD., Ehime, Japan
| | - R Muko
- Cooperative Major in Advanced Health Science, Graduate School of Bio-Applications and System Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - H Matsuda
- Cooperative Major in Advanced Health Science, Graduate School of Bio-Applications and System Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan.,Laboratory of Veterinary Molecular Pathology and Therapeutics, Division of Animal Life Science, Institute of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - A Tanaka
- Cooperative Major in Advanced Health Science, Graduate School of Bio-Applications and System Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan.,Laboratory of Comparative Animal Medicine, Division of Animal Life Science, Institute of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
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Danby SG, Brown K, Wigley AM, Chittock J, Pyae PK, Flohr C, Cork MJ. The Effect of Water Hardness on Surfactant Deposition after Washing and Subsequent Skin Irritation in Atopic Dermatitis Patients and Healthy Control Subjects. J Invest Dermatol 2018; 138:68-77. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2017.08.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2017] [Revised: 08/10/2017] [Accepted: 08/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Engebretsen KA, Bager P, Wohlfahrt J, Skov L, Zachariae C, Nybo Andersen AM, Melbye M, Thyssen JP. Prevalence of atopic dermatitis in infants by domestic water hardness and season of birth: Cohort study. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2016; 139:1568-1574.e1. [PMID: 28017882 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2016.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2016] [Revised: 11/02/2016] [Accepted: 11/17/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atopic dermatitis (AD) appears to be more common in regions with hard domestic water and in children with a fall/winter birth. However, it is unknown whether a synergistic effect exists. OBJECTIVE We sought to evaluate the association between domestic water hardness and season of birth, respectively, with onset of AD within the first 18 months of life in a large Danish birth cohort. METHODS Of children from the Danish National Birth Cohort, 52,950 were included. History of physician-diagnosed AD and population characteristics were obtained from interviews. Birth data were obtained from the Civil Registration System, and domestic water hardness data were obtained from the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland. The relative prevalence (RP) of AD was calculated by using log-linear binomial regression. RESULTS The prevalence of AD was 15.0% (7,942/52,950). The RP of AD was 5% (RPtrend, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.03-1.07) higher for each 5° increase in domestic water hardness (range, 6.60-35.90 German degrees of hardness [118-641 mg/L]). Although the RP of AD was higher in children with a fall (RP, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.17-1.31) or winter (RP, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.11-1.25) birth, no significant interaction was observed with domestic water hardness. The population attributable risk of hard domestic water on AD was 2%. CONCLUSION We observed that early exposure to hard domestic water and a fall/winter birth was associated with an increase in the relative prevalence of AD within the first 18 months of life. Although the 2 exposures did not interact synergistically, a dose-response relationship was observed between domestic water hardness and AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristiane A Engebretsen
- National Allergy Research Centre, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Hellerup, Denmark; Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Hellerup, Denmark
| | - Peter Bager
- Department of Epidemiology Research, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jan Wohlfahrt
- Department of Epidemiology Research, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lone Skov
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Hellerup, Denmark
| | - Claus Zachariae
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Hellerup, Denmark
| | - Anne-Marie Nybo Andersen
- Department of Public Health, Section of Social Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mads Melbye
- Department of Epidemiology Research, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jacob P Thyssen
- National Allergy Research Centre, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Hellerup, Denmark; Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Hellerup, Denmark.
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Jang H, Makita Y, Jung K, Ishizaka S, Karasawa K, Oida K, Takai M, Matsuda H, Tanaka A. Linoleic acid salt with ultrapure soft water as an antibacterial combination against dermato-pathogenic Staphylococcus spp. J Appl Microbiol 2016; 120:280-8. [PMID: 26606689 DOI: 10.1111/jam.13012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2015] [Revised: 10/29/2015] [Accepted: 11/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Skin colonization of Staphylococcus spp. critically affects the severity of dermatitis in humans and animals. We examined different types of fatty acid salts for their antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus spp. when used in ultrapure soft water (UPSW). We also evaluated their therapeutic effect on a spontaneous canine model of dermatitis. METHODS AND RESULTS UPSW, in which Ca(++) and Mg(++) were replaced with Na(+) , was generated using a water softener with cation-exchange resin. Staphylococcus aureus (Staph. aureus), Staphylococcus intermedius (Staph. intermedius), and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (Staph. pseudintermedius) were incubated with various fatty acid salts in distilled water (DW) or UPSW and the number of bacteria was counted. Among the fatty acids, oleic acid salt and linoleic acid (LA) salt reduced the number of these bacteria. Also, UPSW enhanced the antibacterial effect of LA on Staph. spp. In spontaneously developed itchy dermatitis in companion dogs, shampoo treatment with liquid soap containing 10% LA in UPSW improved skin conditions. CONCLUSIONS LA salt showed antibacterial activity against Staph. spp. Treatment with soap containing LA with UPSW reduced clinical conditions in dogs with dermatitis. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY Because colonization of Staph. spp. on the skin exacerbates dermatitis, the use of LA-containing soap in UPSW may reduce unpleasant clinical symptoms of the skin.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Jang
- Cooperative Major in Advanced Health Science, Graduate School of Bio-Applications and System Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Y Makita
- R&D Center, MIURA Co. Ltd., Ehime, Japan
| | - K Jung
- Laboratory of Comparative Animal Medicine, Division of Animal Life Science, Institute of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - S Ishizaka
- Cooperative Major in Advanced Health Science, Graduate School of Bio-Applications and System Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - K Karasawa
- Cooperative Major in Advanced Health Science, Graduate School of Bio-Applications and System Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - K Oida
- Laboratories of Veterinary Molecular Pathology and Therapeutics, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - M Takai
- R&D Center, MIURA Co. Ltd., Ehime, Japan
| | - H Matsuda
- Cooperative Major in Advanced Health Science, Graduate School of Bio-Applications and System Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan.,Laboratories of Veterinary Molecular Pathology and Therapeutics, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - A Tanaka
- Cooperative Major in Advanced Health Science, Graduate School of Bio-Applications and System Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan.,Laboratory of Comparative Animal Medicine, Division of Animal Life Science, Institute of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
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11
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Hard water is associated with atopic dermatitis (eczema). We wanted to determine if a baby cleanser and its individual components altered free ionized calcium (Ca2+) in a simulated hard water baby bath. For these studies, an in vitro determination of free Ca2+ in a simulated hard water baby bath, and an in vivo exploratory study of free Ca2+ absorption into skin from hard water were performed. METHODS Free Ca2+ was measured with an ion-sensitive electrode in vitro in hard water (100-500 ppm, Ca2+) before and after addition of the cleanser and/or its components. In an exploratory study, absorption of Ca2+ into skin from hard water was determined in three female participants (aged 21-29 years). RESULTS At an in-use dilution of 1%, the test cleanser reduced free Ca2+ from ~500 ppm to <200 ppm; a 10% in-use dilution bound virtually all free Ca2+. The anionic surfactant component contributed the most to this effect. In the exploratory in vivo study, we measured a reduction of ~15% in free Ca2+ from simulated hard water over 10 minutes. CONCLUSION Baby cleansers can bind free Ca2+ and reduce the effective water hardness of bath water. Reducing the amount of free Ca2+ in the water will reduce the availability of the ion for binding to the skin. Altering or reducing free Ca2+ concentrations in bath water may be an important parameter in creating the ideal baby bath.
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Affiliation(s)
- Russel M Walters
- Skin Care Research & Development, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc., Skillman, NJ, USA
| | - Emmanuel Anim-Danso
- Skin Care Research & Development, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc., Skillman, NJ, USA
| | - Stephanie M Amato
- Skin Care Research & Development, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc., Skillman, NJ, USA
| | - Kimberly A Capone
- Skin Care Research & Development, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc., Skillman, NJ, USA
| | - M Catherine Mack
- Skin Care Research & Development, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc., Skillman, NJ, USA
| | - Lorena S Telofski
- Skin Care Research & Development, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc., Skillman, NJ, USA
| | - David A Mays
- Skin Care Research & Development, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc., Skillman, NJ, USA
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