Supermarket sells anti-MRSA cream

The lotion has proved successful in a hospital trial

A home-made hand lotion which has proved effective in combating the potentially fatal MRSA superbug goes on sale in Asda supermarkets on Friday.

Retired lorry driver Brian Bennett, from Nuneaton, Warwickshire, originally developed the product to treat his wife's dermatitis.

In trials at a Birmingham hospital it successfully killed the bacteria responsible for MRSA.

He is now seeking approval for it to be used by the National Health Service.

Invisible glove

Mr Bennett, who has no medical training, spent three months studying reference books in the library to research the best products for treating skin conditions.

He told BBC News last year: "I had about 100 litres of normal barrier cream and then experimented by adding aloe vera, vitamin E, jojoba oil, evening primrose oil and other ingredients.

"It took about six months to get the formula right."

He combined it with the powerful anti-bacterial agent Triclosan and water repellent silicon, which acts like an invisible glove to lock the cream into the skin.

Three-month trial

His wife Heather tried the product on her hands and her condition cleared up within days.

Mr Bennett recognised the potential for the health industry and approached his local hospital, Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth.

In trials, it kept hands free of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other bacteria for up to three hours, even after washing.

A total of 102 staff took part in the three-month long trial, with half using the lotion combined with hand washing and half continuing with normal hand washing without the lotion.

Significant reduction

In more than 90% of cases there was a significant reduction in bacteria within seconds of the lotion being applied.

Mr Bennett has patented his product, which has been developed by a pharmaceuticals company.

Deaths from MRSA increased from 51 in 1993 to 800 in 2002.

It has been estimated that hospital-acquired infections, including MRSA, cost the NHS around £1bn a year.