Inhibition of moisture penetration to the skin by a novel incontinence barrier product

To measure the ability of a multiple-barrier product to inhibit the passage of a highly water-soluble tracer into the skin when compared with products currently available on the market (Peri-Care; Sween Corp., and Double-Guard; C. R. Bard, Inc.) Dye extraction from the skin was measured at specified intervals and a spectrophotometric measurement of the amount of dye was obtained. Two groups of light-skinned volunteers, 6 young adults subjects, aged 22 to 31 years, and 6 older subjects, aged 61 to 73 years, were studied in a controlled laboratory setting. Spectronic 601 spectrophotometer. Rectangles (1 inch x 4 inch), inscribed on the ventral forearm skin, were divided into 4 1 inch x 1-inch squares, onto which 50 microL of different barrier products were spread. Band-Aids (Johnson & Johnson), saturated with 70 microL of an FD&C red dye No. 40 solution, were placed over the treated squares and left in place for specified intervals up to 8 hours. Similarly treated Band-Aids placed onto untreated skin comprised the controls. Amount of dye extracted from the skin as reflected by absorbance spectrophotometry. This multiple-barrier product inhibited the passage of the tracer into the skin significantly better than the other 2 products at all time points, except for 1 point in the elderly group. Noninvasive preclinical methods show that this prototype barrier cream inhibits the absorption onto the skin of a solution simulating the density and ionic strength of urine. The advantages and limitations of the methods are clarified and directions for clinical research are suggested.