Anti-bacterial shower gels

Beenie

I will be going into hospital and have been told that all patients must shower and shampoo with anti-bacterial gel for at least one week prior to admittance.

This seems rather harsh on the skin to me, but I wondered (a) if anyone knew what the difference is between these gels and, say, Palmolive and
(b) if they have used and liked a particular brand, where is the best place to obtain it cheaply.

littlefeet_2

Must be for MRSA prevention purposes.

I've used a Carex one a while back - that was anti bacterial and wasn't too expensive (£2 a bottle or so)

Beenie

Yes, that's it exactly. But which gel to use? The difference in price is quite noticeable in many cases.

BlondeHeadOn

Shampoo in those gels?? Yuk!! A bad hair week waiting to happen....

JBD

Beenie, I'm sure a supermarket brand would be satisfactory if they haven't actually specified a brand. Or ask the pharmacist at Boots if you want to be on the safe side.

Savvy_Sue

Carex is OK (although my skin isn't hyper sensitive) and Sanex is I think meant to be OK for sensitive skin. Could be worth asking your pharmacist if they have any samples.

Ruby_Moon

Is this true?
That is absolutely diabolical that the nhs are asking patients to do that. What they hell good do they think it will do? (apart from anything it makes the problems worse)

melancholly

Ruby_Moon wrote: »

What they hell good do they think it will do?

reduce the risk that someone comes into a ward with swine flu and infects everyone else there?

Beenie

Yes, it is true. All hospital in-patients in my area receive a leaflet warning them about MRSA and advising that anti-bacterial shower gels must be used.

I asked my GP today for advice and he's prescribed a shower gel called Octenisan.

Ruby_Moon

melancholly wrote: »

reduce the risk that someone comes into a ward with swine flu and infects everyone else there?

Having a shower in bleach wouldn't stop people with Swine Flu passing it on!! Flu viruses can't be washed off and they don't reduce in strength because you happen to have taken a shower in antibacterial soap.
What about all the visitors too? Do they need to go through a decontamination room first?
I have never heard of anything so ridiculous and of a waste of time in my life.
Which area is this?

MrsBartolozzi

Cidal soap has a natrual anti bacterial action and is gentle on the skin, smells nice too.
Poundland has twin packs in at the moment too.(but it's also available in Boots and smaller chemists too)