Shagufta Arif, Muhammad Arif Maan, Azeem, Javed Iqbal, Muhammad Shahid Sheikh.
Irritation with toilet soaps.
J Pak Assoc Derma Jan ;13(1):13-6.

Soaps and detergents are essential to personal and public health. Cleansing of the skin is a complex interaction between the stratum corneum barrier, environmental dirt, body secretions and a surfactant. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the frequency of consultation to dermatologist or beautician and to find out justification for prescription or advice about soaps by dermatologists. METHODS: This was an observational study. Two hundred subjects were evaluated with the help of a questionnaire. One hundred patients of any age and either sex were selected randomly from the patients attending OPD of Dermatology Department DHQ/Allied Hospitals from 1st January 2002 to 30th June 2002. RESULTS: Out of 200 subjects under study there were 150 females with average age 22.19 with 17.33% having dry skin, 37.33% oily skin and 17.33% normal skin. Seventy six percent consulted dermatologists and 36% beauticians about the use of soaps. Forty four percent developed irritation with soaps. Out of 200 subjects 50 were males with average age 27.34, 52% had oily skin and 48% had normal skin.

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