The bacteriostatic effect of controlled-flux electrolyzed acidic solution on healthy hallucal skin

Abstract

Background: There are various treatment protocols to manage the increased bacterial load in plantar ulcers. Recently, Controlled-Flux Electrolyzed Acidic Solution (CFEAS), with a pH less than 3, has appeared to be an effective option since its antimicrobial effect could help in the healing of those ulcers. In order to evaluate its potential in this sense, the aim of the present study was to compare bacterial growth on healthy hallucal skin using two types of bandaging (control and Controlled-Flux Electrolysed Acidic Solution). Material and methods: In a sample of 19 healthy subjects, two experiments were performed. In the first, for each subject, two identical hallux bandages were applied in the early morning. At random between left and right foot, either physiological saline (wetting every 2 h) was applied or nothing (control). In the second, two days later, new bandages were applied as before, but now either wetting with Controlled-Flux Electrolysed Acidic Solution (experimental, again wetting every 2 h) or nothing (control). In each experiment, the bacterial load in the nail fold was assessed at the first moment and after 10 h from standard counts of bacterial colony forming units (CFU). Results: In the first experiment, the CFU counts had increased significantly (p < 0.05) in both toes after the 10-h period. In the second experiment, while the bacterial load increased significantly (p = 0.001) from 0.68 ± 0.8 × 10 4 CFU/cm 2 (the "pre" sample) to 1.3 ± 0.9 × 10 4 CFU/cm 2 (the "post" sample) in the control toe, in the experimental CFEAS toe, the pre sample bacterial load was 0.61 ± 0.6 × 10 4 CFU/cm 2 , and the post sample 0.9 ± 0.8 × 10 4 CFU/cm 2 , with no significant difference between them (p = 0.221). Negative cultures were obtained in 3 cases (15.78%) of the experimental toe post sample, and equal post and pre counts in 2 cases (10.5%). Conclusion: Controlled-Flux Electrolyzed Acidic Solution has an effect on healthy hallucal skin that is bacteriostatic, and in some cases bactericidal. This effect could be very helpful in treating plantar ulcers when there is a greatly increased bacterial load in the wound, thus potentially favoring the normal formation of granulation tissue in the skin and normal healing and closure of the ulcer.

Preliminary Evidence of the Efficacy of Nitric Acid Treatment in Onychomycosis

“…Other studies have proposed new materials, such as bioceramic-fiber, or the natural extracts of the Hypericum perforatum, tea tree, red alga or Controlled-flux electrolyzed acidic solution to control of the skin s microbiota, thus minimising pharmacological interaction. The authors suggest applying these solutions to population groups at high risk of infection as preventive measures for microbiological infection and the collateral damage of infection [16][17][18][19][20][21].…”

Abordaje de Enfermería con Solución Ácida Electrolizada de Flujo Controlado de una Lesión de Piel Secundaria a la Enfermedad por Arañazo de Gato

“…La solución ácida electrolizada de flujo controlado (SAEFC) posee un efecto antibacteriano tanto sobre bacterias aerobias como anaerobias debido a que tiene un pH inferior a 3 (8). Además, posee una relación en la prevención de infecciones y posible beneficio en reducción de los tiempos de cicatrización (9).…”