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Adding hexachlorophene scrubbing to benzathine penicillin G treatment for pediatric superficial skin infections did not improve healing rates. The study suggests omitting scrubbing to reduce cost and discomfort.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Superficial skin infections are common in children.
- Benzathine penicillin G is a standard treatment.
- The role of adjunctive therapies like hexachlorophene scrubbing is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of benzathine penicillin G alone versus combined with hexachlorophene scrubbing for pediatric superficial skin infections.
- To determine if hexachlorophene scrubbing improves treatment outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving 127 children with superficial skin infections.
- Group 1 received intramuscular benzathine penicillin G alone.
- Group 2 received intramuscular benzathine penicillin G plus hexachlorophene scrubbing.
Main Results:
- A 94.4% good result rate with penicillin alone versus 85.5% with penicillin plus scrubbing.
- Higher healing rates (93%) were observed when Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci were the pathogen.
- Staphylococcus aureus infections had an 86% healing rate; scrubbing did not increase this rate.
- Hexachlorophene scrubbing did not enhance the overall healing rate regardless of the pathogen identified.
Conclusions:
- Hexachlorophene scrubbing offers no additional benefit in treating pediatric superficial skin infections when used with benzathine penicillin G.
- The addition of hexachlorophene scrubbing increases treatment cost and patient discomfort without improving efficacy.
- It is recommended to discontinue the use of hexachlorophene scrubbing as part of this treatment regimen.
Abstract:
A comparison of the treatment of superficial skin infections using intramuscular benzathine penicillin G alone or combined with hexachlorophene scrubbing was conducted in 127 children. Of 72 children treated with benzathine penicillin alone, 94.4 percent had a good result. Of the 55 children receiving hexachlorophene scrubbing in addition to penicillin, 85.5 percent had a good result. The healing rate was higher (93 percent) in those children whose skin cultures grew Group A beta hemolytic streptococci. When staphylococcus aureus was the only pathogen isolated, the healing rate was 86 percent. Regardless of the pathogens isolated, the healing rate was not increased with scrubbing. Since scrubbing with hexachlorophene offered no improvement in the healing rate and since it adds to the expense and discomfort of treatment, it should be eliminated as part of the treatment.