Shampoo treatment using ultrapure soft water

Article Outline

• Background
• Objectives
• Procedure
• Results
• Author Conclusion
• Inclusions
• Editor Annotation
• Uncited reference

Back to Article Outline

Background 

Ultrapure soft water (UPSW) is water in which calcium and magnesium ions have been replaced with sodium ions using a cation-exchange resin. Washing a mouse model for human atopic dermatitis with soap and UPSW reduced the clinical severity of dermatitis and improved their skin barrier function. Whether the same response would occur in pruritic dogs is not known.

Back to Article Outline

Objectives 

To evaluate the efficacy of shampoo treatment with UPSW for dogs with pruritus.

Back to Article Outline

Procedure 

Eleven dogs with pruritus were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups depending on whether they received weekly shampoo treatment with UPSW or tap water for 4 weeks. After a washout period, the treatment protocol was switched such that each dog received both treatments. The pretreatment and post-treatment values of the following were compared: pruritus scores assessed by the owners, dermatitis scores recorded by an investigator, and transepidermal water loss (TEWL).

Back to Article Outline

Results 

Shampoo treatment with UPSW significantly decreased pruritus and dermatitis scores in the dogs, but shampoo treatment with tap water did not. In addition, shampoo treatment with UPSW but not with tap water significantly reduced TEWL in the dogs. Adverse events due to the treatments were not observed in the dogs. Topical application of UPSW for barrier-disrupted skin caused by tape stripping in healthy dogs decreased TEWL more rapidly than topical application of tap water.

Back to Article Outline

Author Conclusion 

Shampoo treatment with UPSW promotes skin barrier recovery in dogs with pruritus and dermatitis.

Back to Article Outline

Inclusions 

Four figures, 2 tables, 16 references.

Back to Article Outline

Editor Annotation 

Topical therapy is an important component of comprehensive management plan for pruritic dogs. This study demonstrates that the type of water used for topical therapy affects the efficacy of antipruritic shampoos and also skin barrier function as measured by transepidermal water loss. Ultrapure soft water has had calcium and magnesium ions replaced by sodium ions. This study, as well as previous studies in mice models of atopic dermatitis, show that low intracellular concentrations of calcium and magnesium ions in the epidermis accelerates skin barrier repair. Cation-exchange water softeners are widely available, therefore owners can be advised to use a home-water softener as a means of increasing the beneficial effects of antipruritic shampoos.

Back to Article Outline

Uncited reference 

1. Ohmori K , Tanaka A , Makita Y , et al.   Pilot evaluation of the efficacy of shampoo treatment with ultrapure soft water for canine pruritus . Vet Dermatol . 2010;21:477–483