Inhibiting bacteria and skin pH in hemiplegia: effects of washing hands with acidic mineral water.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate bacterial flora in hemiplegic hands as a possible pathogen of endogenous infection in a rehabilitation unit and to examine the effect of cleansing hands with acidic mineral water on the flora. DESIGN: Case-control study in a university affiliated hospital. Seventy-two patients with hemiplegia caused by cerebrovascular diseases were included in this study. Bacterial flora by the swab method, bacterial frequency on the palm by the stamp method, and skin surface pH were examined before and after single cleansing by immersion in plain or acidic mineral water. RESULTS: The bacterial frequencies of patients with hemiplegia and diabetes were higher than those of normal healthy subjects. After cleansing with acidic mineral water, skin surface pH was decreased and bacterial frequency was markedly decreased. A prolonged decrease in skin surface pH was observed in patients with hemiplegia in contrast to normal healthy subjects who presented a short-term decrease. CONCLUSION: Increased bacterial frequencies were associated with a high skin surface pH caused by disordered skin systems in patients with hemiplegia. Acidic mineral water may be useful for inhibiting bacterial growth in patients with hemiplegia.