simethicone and Dermatitis--Irritant

In the treatment of incontinence dermatitis, a skin protectant primarily prevents skin breakdown due to moisture and biological irritants in urine and feces. To assess the barrier and skin hydration properties of six currently available skin protectants with different formulations, a controlled, three-phase study was conducted at a research facility in the UK among 18 healthy volunteers. The study addressed each product's efficacy against insult from a known irritant (sodium lauryl sulphate), skin hydration potential, and maintenance of skin barrier and barrier efficacy against maceration. Using white petrolatum (glycerin) as the positive control and untreated sites as the negative control, the results show that each one of the products tested has different performance properties. Products containing petrolatum demonstrated protection against irritants (P = 0.006 at 24 hours) and maceration (P < 0.005) and provided some skin hydration. Products containing dimethicone varied in protection against irritants (P < 0.005, or P > or = 0.806 at 24 hours) and have good skin hydration potential and low barrier efficacy (P > 0.500). Zinc oxide-based products showed protection against irritants (P < 0.005) but poor skin hydration and barrier properties to prevent maceration (P = 0.262). Overall, only the water-in-oil petrolatum- based product performed effectively within all the parameters tested. This study suggests that skin barrier protection involves more than the inclusion of an active barrier ingredient. Further testing and use of barrier products in the clinical setting will provide additional evidence for appropriate product selection.

Topics: Adult; Analysis of Variance; Colorimetry; Dermatitis, Irritant; Dermatologic Agents; Fecal Incontinence; Humans; Simethicone; Skin Physiological Phenomena; Urinary Incontinence; Water Loss, Insensible; Zinc Oxide

Eczematous skin disease is a serious work-related illness. Since 1995, reimbursement by insurance companies for treatment of skin diseases has become the largest cost source in some countries. This study was a randomized controlled trial (N = 20) of the efficacy of Pro-Q, a skin protectant product, in the prevention of contact dermatitis from sodium lauryl sulfate and urushiol, the resinous sap of poison ivy and poison oak. Pro-Q was significantly effective in reducing the irritation from sodium lauryl sulfate but did not prevent the allergic reaction to urushiol.

Topics: Administration, Cutaneous; Aerosols; Catechols; Dermatitis, Irritant; Dermatitis, Occupational; Dermatitis, Toxicodendron; Dermatologic Agents; Detergents; Dimethylpolysiloxanes; Double-Blind Method; Eczema; Glycerol; Humans; Irritants; Plants, Toxic; Protective Agents; Simethicone; Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate; Toxicodendron

Irritant and/or allergic hand dermatitis in individuals who are unable to avoid causative exposures is difficult to control. Usefulness of protective creams has been generally unsatisfactory.. To determine if hand dermatitis, primarily of an occupational nature, could be improved by the use of a protective foam containing dimethicone and glycerin.. Adult male and female subjects with chronic hand dermatitis for at least 12 months, felt to be either allergic, irritant, or combined in nature were given the study foam for routine application after a 2-week observation period. At 2 and 6 weeks the skin was evaluated by the investigator and subject for parameters including redness, scaling, fissuring, blistering, and pruritus on a numerical scale. A global evaluation also was performed. Photographs were taken at each visit. Usage of topical corticosteroids was recorded. No systemic therapies other than antihistamines were allowed.. Thirty-one subjects were enrolled in the study and 28 completed it. The physician and subject's initial global evaluations averaged 6.13 and 5.48, respectively (0-10 scale). The final scores were 3.68 and 4.75, respectively (P < .001 for physician rating; P = .259 for subject rating). Topical corticosteroid usage was reduced in 16 of 30 (53.6%) subjects. Twenty-one of 30 subjects (70.0%) had improved over the course of the study. No adverse effects were noted.. This protective foam greatly or moderately improved chronic hand dermatitis in a sizable number of individuals with previously uncontrolled dermatitis despite continuing in their regular occupation.

Topics: Administration, Topical; Adult; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Chronic Disease; Dermatitis, Contact; Dermatitis, Irritant; Dermatitis, Occupational; Dimethylpolysiloxanes; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Glycerol; Hand Dermatoses; Humans; Hydrocortisone; Male; Occupations; Severity of Illness Index; Simethicone; Treatment Outcome