Careful personal hygiene is important in helping to prevent minor skin and mouth infections. Although it has been recommended that CGD patients wash daily with povidine iodine scrub or hexachlorophene soaps, their skin is often very sensitive. Using harsh soaps can lead to dry skins, cracks, and breakdown with infections. Therefore, it is preferable to use a mild soap containing a high percentage of moisturizers or emollients, but which does not contain detergents or deodorants. Brushing teeth two times daily with a hydrogen peroxide and baking soda paste can limit the extent of gum disease and reduce the number of canker sores. Because of dental or orthodontic procedures can introduce bacteria into the bloodstream, CGD patients should take oral antibiotics the day before and the day after undergoing such procedures. Cuts should be washed promptly with an antiseptic such as hydrogen peroxide.
CGD patients hould avoid using alcoholic beverages and tobacco, which can impare the immune system. In addition, they should not smoke marijuana because of the danger of inhaling mold spores the plant often harbors. These spores can cause a type of pneumonia. Moldy grass, mulch, and haymonia. Moldy grass, mulch, and hay should also be avoided for the same reason.
it is important for patients to choose athletic activities that are least likely to result in scrapes and cuts, which might become infected.
Children with CGD should receive the usual course of immunizations given to young children, including vaccines against polio, rubella, measles, and mumps. CGD are no more likely to develop viral infections or to have more serious viral infections than are other people.
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Public Health Service
National Institute of Health
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Division of Intramural Research
Prepared by the NIAID
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