Hydrogen Water Heals Infected Skin Ulcers in Rare Disease Patients
- Authors
- Fanping Yang, Zihua Chen, Sheng-An Chen, Qinyuan Zhu, Lanting Wang, Wenhong Zhang, Xiaoqun Luo
- Journal
- Dermatologic Therapy
- Year
- 2019
- DOI
- 10.1111/dth.13027
- Study Type
- Human
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Pemphigus Vulgaris
- Body System
- Integumentary
TL;DR
Scientists have discovered a new way to treat infections caused by certain harmful bacteria using wet dressings soaked in hydrogen water, which might also help heal long-lasting skin ulcers.
Key Finding
Local application of hydrogen water through wet packing appeared to help treat skin ulcer infections in two pemphigus vulgaris patients without causing adverse effects.
Summary
This case report describes two patients with pemphigus vulgaris (a rare autoimmune skin disease) who had infected skin ulcers treated by applying hydrogen water-soaked packing to the affected areas. The researchers reported that this treatment appeared to be safe and helped reduce the infections over a 2-month follow-up period.
Practical Takeaway
This is a very early case report involving only two patients, so it provides only preliminary evidence. While the results are encouraging, much larger and more rigorous studies would be needed before hydrogen water packing could be considered an established treatment for infected skin ulcers. Anyone with pemphigus vulgaris or infected skin conditions should consult their dermatologist before trying new treatments.
Abstract
We are the first to report on a new, safe, and effective treatment of infections induced by conditional pathogenic strains with local wet packing with hydrogen water. The new treatment method may also shed light on the therapy of chronic, inflammatory skin ulcers.