The effect of antibacterial soap with 1.5% triclocarban on Staphylococcus aureus in patients with atopic dermatitis

This double-blind study determined whether daily bathing with an antibacter ial soap would reduce the number of Staphylococcus aureus on the skin and r esult in clinical improvement of atopic dermatitis. For 9 weeks, 50 patient s with moderately severe atopic dermatitis bathed daily with either an anti microbial soap containing 1.5% triclocarban or the placebo soap. They also used a nonmedicated moisturizer and 0.025% triamcinolone acetonide cream as needed, but the availability of the corticosteroid cream was discontinued after 6 weeks. The antimicrobial soap regimen caused significantly greater improvement in the severity and extent of skin lesions than the placebo soa p regimen, which correlated with reductions both in S aureus in patients wi th positive cultures at baseline and in total aerobic organisms. Outcome me asures included reductions in S aureus, total aerobic organisms, and dermat ologic assessments. Overall, daily bathing with an antibacterial soap was w ell tolerated, provided clinical improvement, and reduced levels of skin mi croorganisms.