Chlorhexidine can be used as three different salts: chlorhexidine diacetate [molecular weight (MW) 626 g/mol, Chlorhexidine digluconate (MW 898 g/mol), and chlorhexidine dihydrochloride (MW 578 g/mol). According to the European Cosmetics Regulation, all three salts are allowed in cosmetic products, but it remains unknown why different salts are used in different products. In 2013, we checked for chlorhexidine content in 2251 cosmetic products in Denmark by reading the ingredient label, and found chlorhexidine in 80 of the products (3.6%). Back then, we did not check which salts were used, but, in a retrospective review of the photographs, we found that 42 products contained chlorhexidine digluconate, contained chlorhexidine dihydrochloride, but none contained chlorhexidine diacetate (the salt used could not be identified in five products). In the same year, we identified 42 different products used in hospitals in the Capital Region of Denmark. In a retrospective review of these products, we could see that 27 contained chlorhexidine digluconate, six contained chlorhexidine diacetate, and three contained chlorhexidine dihydrochloride (the salt used could not be identified in six products). In our tertiary dermatology clinic at Copenhagen University Hospital Gentofte, chlorhexidine diacetate and chlorhexidine digluconate are used for patch testing. In contrast, other centres patch test only with one of the salts. In a study from 1991, some patients had a positive test result with one salt and a negative test result with the other salt, but no newer studies have investigated whether testing with more than one salt is indeed necessary.
The aims of this study were (i) to determine the prevalence of contact allergy to Chlorhexidine digluconate in a tertiary dermatology clinic and to characterize the patients, (ii) to investigate whether patch testing with both chlorhexidine diacetate and chlorhexidine digluconate is necessary, (iii) to estimate how many patients have both immediate-type allergy and contact allergy to chlorhexidine, and (iv) to investigate which products cause allergic reactions, and whether patients are aware of possible sources of chlorhexidine exposure and are able to avoid these.
Objective: To investigate the effect of 2% Chlorhexidine digluconate skin disinfectant PICC Maintenance. Methods: 200 patients need to maintain PICC patients were randomly divided into two groups and the control group of 100 patients in the observation group using 2% chlorhexidine gluconate topical skin disinfection 2 times the control group, according to the traditional method with 75% ethanol disinfection 3 times, 3 times a povidone-iodine disinfection, disinfection two consistent method, consistent range. Maintenance 4 consecutive weeks, the two groups required sterilization time, the cost of supplies and catheter-related infection. Results There were no infections and other serious complications, study group required operation time is shorter, lower consumption costs, better adhesion applicator (P0.05, P0.01). Conclusion 2% chlorhexidine gluconate for PICC maintenance, effective and time-saving convenience.