-Bacteria that is normally found on the surface of skin can help coordinate skin inflammation.
The November issue of the medical journal Nature Medicine reports on a study showing that the staphylococcus bacteria on the surface of skin play a key role in preventing excessive skin inflammation.

The immune system assists the healing process after an injury to the skin, but excessive inflammation can ultimately cause harm.

Study authors investigated bacteria that are found on the skin surface and their role in maintaining healthy skin.  Using human and mice cell cultures, study authors showed that the bacteria can activate a specific cell receptor which was necessary to stimulate normal inflammation after a skin injury.

Study authors also showed that the staphylococcal bacteria inhibits excessive skin inflammation that could damage skin.  Excessive skin inflammation can interfere with healing and cause premature skin aging.

Antibacterial soaps have become very popular, in part for their role in sterilizing our skin from presumed bad bacteria.  This new study indicates that skin bacteria can be good for us.
It may be time to rethink the routine use of antibacterial soap.

Cristopher Geiler, MD

Reference
Nature Medicine, Nov. 22, 2009 advance online publication