In the present study soap chamber test was carried out for assessing irritancy of toilet soaps and soap ingredients. The results obtained in the present study are summarized as follows; This chamber test can discriminate the differences of irritancies between various soaps and soap ingredients. 2. Soap irritancy is not directly related with its alkalinity. 3, Erythema score and scaling score tend to parallel each other with weak correlation(r=p 46), but erythema score and fissuring score show strong correlation (r=p77) Scaling score and fissuring score show moderate correlation(r=p.64), 4. In the eighteen kinds of toilet soaps, two soaps are most irritating, harsh soap and the total irritancy scores of all soaps are within 1. 9 5. 1. Baby soaps are not milder than the common toilet soaps. 5. Generally, total irritancy score of soap ingredients is concentration dependent. Average total irritancy scores of five main soap ingredients in 4 times of recommended allergen concentration are as follows; Builders 5. 30, Perfumes l. 88, Color 0. 70, Fatty acids p. 35 and Superfat p.
Erythema ; Fatty Acids ; Soaps*

BACKGROUND: Cosmetic cleansers are most widely used to remove makeup and sometimes cause allergic or irritation contact dermatitis. We can patch test soaps or shampoos as 2% concentration, but cleansers have been not determined for the concentration by patch test yet. OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to determine the concentration of cosmetic cleansers for patch test. METHODS: The skin responses to patch testing with variable cleansers in different concentrations were measured by visual scoring, spectrometer, evaporimeter and corneometer. RESULTS: The results of the studies were summarized as follows; 1. The cream type and lotion type cleansers showed no skin responses. 2. The skin response of foam type cleansers showed that the one had statistical significance between 2% and 5%, and the other had 5% and 10% concentration. 3. The skin response of gel type cleansers showed statistical significance between 5% and 10% concentration. 4. Through correlation analysis, we found that the evaluation of the evaporimeter or corneometer were not related to the visual measurement. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that cosmetic cleansers of water, lotion and cream type can be tested as is(100%), and foam type cleansers with 2%, and gel type should be tested with 5% concentration.
Dermatitis, Contact ; Patch Tests* ; Skin ; Soaps

Pigmented photoallergic contact dermatitis is a disease usually resulting from recurrent cutaneous exposure to cosmetic photoallergens which produce bizarre dark brown hyperpigmentation. Histologicnl examination of this condition reveals liquefaction of the basal cells of the epidmis and melanophages in the upper dermis. A 50-year-female developed dark brownish mottled hyperpigmented patches on her face after using a soap named O.E. and taking a nap every afternoon for 4 years. The histological fmding on the lesion site was consistent with pigmented photoallergic contact dermatitis. The cosmetic photopatch test with, O.E. soap, and the Scandinavian scries resulted in a positive reaction only on one side where 5 J/cm2 lights were applied by using Waldman 800UV machine. The other side howed a negative finding. We fmally diagnosed pigmented photoallergic contact dermatitis based on the patients histoty of using the soap containing musk ambrette, a histological examination of a biopsy and the results of photopatch tests. We report rare case of pigmented photoallergic contact dermatitis.
Biopsy ; Dermatitis, Photoallergic* ; Dermis ; Humans ; Hyperpigmentation ; Soaps

BACKGROUND: Soaps are the most widely used body cleanser and sometimes cause irritation of the skin. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to compare the skin irritancy of 6 soaps using noninvasive techniques. METHODS: The skin responses to patch test with 6 soaps were measured by visual scoring, evaporimeter and corneometer. RESULTS: The results are summarized as follows. 1. F soap was shown to cause the least irritancy measured by visual scoring and corneometer. But using evaporimeter, there were no differences in irritancy between the 6 soaps. 2. Through correlation analysis, we found that the evaluation of the evaporimeter was closely related to visual measurement. CONCLUSION: Soap irritancy can be measured by noninvasive techniques, such as the evaporimeter, corneometer, laser doppler flowmetry and visual scoring. Further study of evaluation after short and repeat contacts with soap are needed.
Laser-Doppler Flowmetry ; Patch Tests ; Skin ; Soaps*

An experimental study concerning the effect of chronic irritation of corneocytes was made in relation to their number, size and shape. The desquamating portion of the stratum corneum was sampled with the detergent scrub technique using Triton X-100. The experimental subjects were scrub nurses who had worked in the operating room for more than 3 years and ward nurses were used as a control group. The corneocytes of skin irritated by daily scrubbing differed, from those of the non-irritated skin of the ward nurses. About twice as many cells were collected per cm2 skin surface from the scrub nurses on the first experimental day. Two and four days later the number was markedly decreased and became similar to that of the control group. The surface of the corneocytes was 15% smaller in the experimental group than that of the control group, through out the experiment. There was no significant difference between the two groups as regards corneocyte morphology.
Adult ; Epidermis/cytology* ; Female ; Handwashing* ; Human ; Soaps* ; Surface-Active Agents*

The authors present seven cases of Democidiosis in rosacea type and the subject of human demodetic infestation has been reviewed. According to our experience, demodex folliculorum, although a normal inhabitant of the sebaceous glands in small numbers, when encouraged to multiply by the patients excessive use of facial cream and avoidance of soap, can produce democidiosis. The diagnosis was easily confirmed by characteristic clinical appearance and simple microscopy. The characteristie clinical appearances are indurated non-comedous papules and pustules with unique cherry pinkish red erythema. The response to treatment, consisting of daily soap and water cleansing of the face, followed by the local application of a suitable antiparasitic remedies is simple and gratifying. But the erythema was not respond to antiparasitic preparation.
Diagnosis ; Erythema ; Humans ; Microscopy ; Prunus ; Rosacea* ; Sebaceous Glands ; Soaps ; Water

The aim of this study is to elucidate the effect of keratinase on epidermis of rat skin. Twenty-five male Sprague-Dolly rats were used. The hair on the back were removed and 2x2cm area was marked. The rats were divided five groups; 1) Control group(Co), 2) Cleansing gel group(Cl), 3) Cleansing gel+keratinase group, 4) Exfoliant gel group(Ex), and 5) Exfoliant gel+ keratinase group(Ex+K). The solutions were applied to the back area twice a day for five days. On fifth day, the skins were harvested, fixed and prepared for histologic sections. The thickness of keratin layer, living epidermis, dermis, and cell layer number of living epidermis were measured. In the group containing keratinase(Cl+K, Ex+K), the thickness of keratin layer and living layer were thinner than other groups. However, there were no significant differences of the cell layer number of living epidermis and thickness of the dermis among the five groups. We think the keratinase may have the effect thinning the keratin layer as well as the thickness of living epidermis, without effecting the living cell and dermal component. The keratinase containing soap may be of benefit to remove the excess keratin layers in human.
Animals ; Dermis ; Epidermis ; Hair ; Humans ; Male ; Rats* ; Skin* ; Soaps

BACKGROUND: There have been very few studies conducted on the number and type of microorganisms that remain on the ring finger after handwashing. This study was performed to investigate whether there were changes and differences in the type and number of microorganisms on the ring finger before and after handwashing. METHOD: The subjects of the study were 15 MICU and SICU staff nurses who were wearing rings. I swabbed two different fingers of the same hand with cotton balls. One finger which had a ring and the other with on ring. I swabbed the fingers of each subject three times(before handwashing, after handwashing with soap, and after handwashing with bethadine solution). After storing them for 48 hours in an incubator, I sent them to the laboratory and recorded th culture results. RESULTS: There was no difference in the type of microorganism, but a major difference in the number of the microorganisms that existed on the finger ring. The results showed that there were much more microorganisms on the ring fingers than on the fingers that did not have rings both before and after handwashing. This tendency was consistent regardless of the handwashing agent. I therefore recommend that all nursing staff who work in general nursing units, as well as nurses who word in the ICU , remove their rings when taking care of the patients.
Fingers* ; Hand ; Hand Disinfection* ; Humans ; Incubators ; Nursing ; Nursing Staff ; Soaps

PURPOSE: This descriptive study was done to evaluate the attitude and practice of hand-washing by student nurses. METHOD: The subjects of the study were 463 senior and junior undergraduate student nurses and RN-BSN students. The questionnaire was developed by the researchers. Data were collected from Oct. 16 to Dec. 20. 2001. and analysed by SPSS/WIN. General characteristics, attitude and practice were analyzed by frequency and percentage and differences in attitude and practice according to grade and practice setting were analyzed with x2 test, t-test or ANOVA. RESULT: 1) The mean frequency of hand- washing was 6.63. Senior students washed more frequently than junior students. 2) The reasons for non-compliance were 'not being accustomed', 'forgetting', and 'not accessible' 3) The mean time for hand- washing was 23.79 sec., less than the stated appropriate time of 42.18 sec. 4) 90% of the students washed their hands 'after contacting excretions and contaminated items' and few washed 'before giving care to the client'. 5) Most students washed hands rotationally rubbing with soap and water. 6) While washing, they removed their rings more often than their watches. 7) Soap bar (52.8%) and paper towel (69.6%) were most frequently used as decontaminating agent and drying method, but detergent solution (74.2%) and paper towels (60%) were considered as the most appropriate agent and method. 8) Hand-washing was perceived important generally 'to protect from cross-infection', 'to protect one-self' and 'the most cost effective'. 9) All students responded nurses should practice 'hand-washing,'.
Detergents ; Hand Disinfection* ; Hand* ; Humans ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Soaps ; Students, Nursing

Placental extract is a reservoir of a large number of bioactive molecules. It has been used in skin care cosmetics and soap, it is expected to have skin whitening effect. But, the effect of placental extract on melanogenesis is not clarified yet and there are several conflicting reports. To study the effect of the placental extract on proliferation and melanogenesis of pigment cells, we examined the proliferation and change of melanin amounts and expressions of tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein (TRP)-1 and TRP-2 mRNA in SK30 melanoma cells, which were irradiated or not. The results were as follows: 1. The placental extract inhibited the melanogenesis of SK30 melanoma cells. 2. The placental extract showed no significant effect on the proliferation of SK30 melanoma cells. 3. The placental extract showed antimelanogenic effect by inhibiting the synthesis of tyrosinase, TRP-1 and TRP-2 mRNA. 4. The inhibitory effect of placental extract was more significant in UVB-irradiated SK30 melanoma cell lines. In conclusion, this study showed that the placental extract might be a good therapeutic regimens for UV-aggravated pigment disorders including melasma. Henceforth, further investigation is needed to identify and purify the active substance from the crude placental extract.
Cell Line ; Melanins ; Melanoma* ; Melanosis ; Monophenol Monooxygenase* ; RNA, Messenger ; Skin ; Skin Care ; Soaps