Skin cleansing

Tap water

Prescribing Notes:

For recommended soap substitutes for skin cleansing in contact dermatitis and eczema, see the ‘Treatment with soap substitutes and emollients for showering and bathing’ pathway in the Dermatitis - contact and Eczema sections.

15/12/2021

East Region Formulary content agreed.

Consult product literature

Povidone-iodine may produce systemic adverse effects, such as metabolic acidosis, hypernatraemia and renal impairment, if applied to large wounds or severe burns.

14/12/2023

Removal of 'ChloraPrep solution 0.67ml applicators' as discontinued.

15/12/2021

East Region Formulary content agreed.

Tap water.

For recommended soap substitutes for skin cleansing in contact dermatitis and eczema, see the ‘Treatment with soap substitutes and emollients for showering and bathing’ pathway in the Dermatitis - contact and Eczema sections.

31/05/2024

East Region Formulary content agreed.

Consult product literature.

Povidone-iodine may produce systemic adverse effects, such as metabolic acidosis, hypernatraemia and renal impairment, if applied to large wounds or severe burns.

31/05/2024

East Region Formulary content agreed.

No treatment.

Cleansing with cotton wool soaked in cooled boiled water.

Most umbilical cords need only be kept clean and dry with normal bathing.
If the umbilical cord is very smelly, or the surrounding skin becomes red, a swab should be taken for culture and antibiotics considered.
Umbilical granulomas can be treated with topical silver nitrate. The surrounding skin should be protected from staining by application of Vaseline.

31/05/2024

East Region Formulary content agreed.