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Laboratory Research
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Protection of weepy denuded skin Andrew Hoggarth, BSc(Hons), MSc, Mike Waring, PhD, M Inst, M&C, I.Eng The use of skin barrier products for the treatment and prevention of diaper dermatitis is extremely important to protect healthy and at-risk skin from breakdown. The most commonly used barriers are generally ointments, creams and lotions. For severe diaper dermatitis, the skin may become weepy and denuded. Application of the skin barrier product may be difficult as the exudates prohibit the product from adhering to the skin, rendering it ineffective. .This study examined the effectiveness of a zinc-oxide based barrier product containing sodium carboxymethylcellulose to adhere to weepy and denuded skin whilst maintaining a barrier function. Skin on the upper back was tape stripped to remove layers of the stratum corneum, resulting in weepy denuded skin. The product was applied and Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and SKICON (skin hydration) measurements were taken to determine the effectiveness of the test article. Adherence to the skin would be indicated by a reduction in TEWL and a modification of the hydration of the skin. The test article demonstrated a decrease in TEWL, indicating the ability of the product to adhere to weepy denuded skin. The use of the SKICON measurements to assess the barrier function was shown to be inappropriate for this study.. |
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