Diluted bleaches are effective in curing skin damage caused by inflammation, a latest research by Stanford University School of Medicine scientists states.
The researchers conducted the study on mice. According to the study authors, dilute bleach baths have been used extensively for several years to cure moderate to severe eczema in humans. "Originally it was thought that bleach may serve an antimicrobial function, killing bacteria and viruses on the skin," said Thomas Leung, MD, PhD, an instructor in dermatology at Stanford and a pediatric dermatologist at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital. "But the concentrations used in clinic are not high enough for this to be the sole reason. So we wondered if there could be something else going on."
The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, was conducted on mice models. The researchers looked into a molecule called 'nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells', or NF-kB that has positive effects on repairing the damaged skin.
The mice were exposed to 0.005 percent bleach and after an hour they were treated with the molecules known to boost the activity of NF-kB. The researchers found that the older mice had much younger-looking skin. "It went from old and fragile to thicker, with increased cell proliferation. We found that the bleach solution oxidizes and inhibits an activator necessary for NF-kB to enter the nucleus, essentially blocking NF-kB's effect," Leung said in a press release.
The researchers conclude stating that they were considering clinical trials on humans to see the results and also find out whether other skin diseases could be treated with diluted bleaches.
Although, experts have clearly stated that people should not use bleach directly on their skin.
