A new methodology for evaluating the damage to the skin barrier caused by repeated application and removal of adhesive dressings

Background Chronic wounds require frequent dressing changes. Adhesive dressings used for this indication can be damaging to the stratum corneum, particularly in the elderly where the skin tends to be thinner. Understanding the level of damage caused by dressing removal can aid dressing selection. Me...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Skin research and technology 2013-02, Vol.19 (1), p.e366-e374
Main Authors: Waring, Mike, Bielfeldt, Stephan, Mätzold, Katja, Wilhelm, Klaus-Peter
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
adhesive dressings
Adult
Aged
Bandages - adverse effects
barrier damage
Blister - etiology
Blister - pathology
Body Water - metabolism
Chromameter
Colorimetry - methods
Edema - etiology
Edema - pathology
Epidermis - injuries
Epidermis - metabolism
Epidermis - pathology
Erythema - etiology
Erythema - pathology
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Silicon - adverse effects
Skin
Skin Diseases - etiology
Skin Diseases - pathology
Staining and Labeling - methods
stratum corneum
Surgical Tape - adverse effects
Water Loss, Insensible - physiology
Wound healing
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Summary:Background Chronic wounds require frequent dressing changes. Adhesive dressings used for this indication can be damaging to the stratum corneum, particularly in the elderly where the skin tends to be thinner. Understanding the level of damage caused by dressing removal can aid dressing selection. Methods This study used a novel methodology that applied a stain to the skin and measured the intensity of that stain after repeated application and removal of a series of different adhesive types. Additionally, a traditional method of measuring skin barrier damage (transepidermal water loss) was also undertaken and compared with the staining methodology. Results The staining methodology and measurement of transepidermal water loss differentiated the adhesive dressings, showing that silicone adhesives caused least trauma to the skin. Conclusion The staining methodology was shown to be as effective as transepidermal water loss in detecting damage to the stratum corneum and was shown to detect disruption of the barrier earlier than the traditional technique.
ISSN:0909-752X
1600-0846
DOI:10.1111/j.1600-0846.2012.00653.x