EC Veterinary Science

Guest Editorial Volume 9 Issue 1 - 2024

Hypochlorous Acid: Applications in Small Animal Dermatology

Lowell Ackerman*

Global Consultant, Author and Lecturer, Director of Veterinary Education, HICC Pet Westborough, Massachusetts, USA

*Corresponding Author: Lowell Ackerman, Global Consultant, Author and Lecturer, Director of Veterinary Education, HICC Pet Westborough, Massachusetts, USA.
Received:March 20, 2023; Published: March 29, 2023



In small animal veterinary dermatology, there are many conditions in which bacterial complications are actually secondary to other processes. In these instances, microbial control with topical antiseptics is preferred to the use of systemic antibiotics. Hypochlorous acid represents a natural, gentle, and safe topical agent that is effective against the microbes most commonly associated with these conditions, and it also has anti-inflammatory properties. Despite being used in animals for over 100 years, it can still be considered a novel and innovative approach to managing some of the most common skin disorders seen today.

Keywords: Hypochlorous Acid; HOCl; Dermatology; Pyoderma; Atopic Dermatitis; Otitis Externa

  1. Andrés CMC., et al. “Hypochlorous acid chemistry in mammalian cells - Influence on infection and role in various pathologies”. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 18 (2022): 10735.
  2. Block MS and Rowan BG. “Hypochlorous Acid: A Review”. Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 9 (2020): 1461-1466.
  3. Pelgrift RY and Friedman AJ. “Topical hypochlorous acid (HOCl) as a potential treatment of pruritus”. Current Dermatology Reports 2 (2013): 181-190.
  4. Del Rosso JQ and Bhatia N. “Status report on topical hypochlorous acid: Clinical relevance of specific formulations, potential modes of action, and study outcomes”. The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology 11 (2018): 36-39.
  5. Natarelli N., et al. “Hypochlorous Acid: Applications in Dermatology”. Journal of Integrative Dermatology (2022).
  6. Gold MH., et al. “Topical stabilized hypochlorous acid: The future gold standard for wound care and scar management in dermatologic and plastic surgery procedures”. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2 (2020): 270-277.
  7. Roberts HL. “Hypochlorous acid solution. An effective and inexpensive antiseptic preparation”. Journal of Veterinary Science 7 (1916): 248-250.
  8. Ackerman L. “Team strategies for atopic dermatitis”. In, Pet-Specific Care for the Veterinary Team, L Ackerman (edition). Wiley-Blackwell, Hoboken, NJ (2021): 623-630.
  9. Fukuyama T., et al. “Hypochlorous acid is antipruritic and anti-inflammatory in a mouse model of atopic dermatitis”. Clinical and Experimental Allergy 48 (2018): 78-88.
  10. Ackerman L. “Team strategies for recurrent pyoderma”. In, Pet-Specific Care for the Veterinary Team, L Ackerman (edition). Wiley-Blackwell, Hoboken, NJ (2021): 653-658.
  11. Jeffers JG. “Topical therapy for drug-resistant pyoderma in small animals”. Veterinary Clinics: Small Animal Practice 1 (2013): 41-50.
  12. Uri M., et al. “A pilot study comparing in vitro efficacy of topical preparations against veterinary pathogens”. Veterinary Dermatology 3 (2016): 15-e39.
  13. Ackerman L. “Team strategies for otitis externa”. In, Pet-Specific Care for the Veterinary Team, L Ackerman (edition). Wiley-Blackwell, Hoboken, NJ (2021): 659-666.
  14. Mueller RS., et al. “Evaluation of hypochlorous acid as an ear flush in dogs with chronic otitis externa”. Veterinary Dermatology 34 (2023): 134 -141.
  15. Day A., et al. “Disruption of biofilms and neutralization of bacteria using hypochlorous acid solution: an in vivo and in vitro evaluation”. Advances in Skin and Wound Care 12 (2017): 543-551.
  16. Joachim D. “Wound cleansing: Benefits of Hypochlorous acid”. Journal of Wound Care 10a (2020): S4-S8.
  17. Sakayra S., et al. “Hypochlorous acid: an ideal wound care agent with powerful microbicidal, antibiofilm, and wound healing properties”. Wounds 12 (2014): 342-350.

Lowell Ackerman. Hypochlorous Acid: Applications in Small Animal Dermatology. EC Veterinary Science  9.1 (2024): 03-07.