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Evaluating lubricant performance to reduce COVID-19 PPE-related skin injury.
Masen, Marc A; Chung, Aaron; Dawczyk, Joanna U; Dunning, Zach; Edwards, Lydia; Guyott, Christopher; Hall, Thomas A G; Januszewski, Rachel C; Jiang, Shaoli; Jobanputra, Rikeen D; Karunaseelan, Kabelan J; Kalogeropoulos, Nikolaos; Lima, Maria R; Mancero Castillo, C Sebastian; Mohammed, Idris K; Murali, Manoj; Paszkiewicz, Filip P; Plotczyk, Magdalena; Pruncu, Catalin I; Rodgers, Euan; Russell, Felix; Silversides, Richard; Stoddart, Jennifer C; Tan, Zhengchu; Uribe, David; Yap, Kian K; Zhou, Xue; Vaidyanathan, Ravi.
  • Masen MA; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
  • Chung A; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
  • Dawczyk JU; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
  • Dunning Z; Department of Manufacturing Engineering, Coventry University, Coventry, United Kingdom.
  • Edwards L; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
  • Guyott C; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
  • Hall TAG; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
  • Januszewski RC; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
  • Jiang S; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
  • Jobanputra RD; Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, China.
  • Karunaseelan KJ; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
  • Kalogeropoulos N; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
  • Lima MR; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
  • Mancero Castillo CS; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
  • Mohammed IK; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
  • Murali M; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
  • Paszkiewicz FP; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
  • Plotczyk M; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
  • Pruncu CI; Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
  • Rodgers E; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
  • Russell F; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
  • Silversides R; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
  • Stoddart JC; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
  • Tan Z; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
  • Uribe D; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
  • Yap KK; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
  • Zhou X; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
  • Vaidyanathan R; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
PLoS One ; 15(9): e0239363, 2020.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-792837
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Healthcare workers around the world are experiencing skin injury due to the extended use of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic. These injuries are the result of high shear stresses acting on the skin, caused by friction with the PPE. This study aims to provide a practical lubricating solution for frontline medical staff working a 4+ hours shift wearing PPE.

METHODS:

A literature review into skin friction and skin lubrication was conducted to identify products and substances that can reduce friction. We evaluated the lubricating performance of commercially available products in vivo using a custom-built tribometer.

FINDINGS:

Most lubricants provide a strong initial friction reduction, but only few products provide lubrication that lasts for four hours. The response of skin to friction is a complex interplay between the lubricating properties and durability of the film deposited on the surface and the response of skin to the lubricating substance, which include epidermal absorption, occlusion, and water retention.

INTERPRETATION:

Talcum powder, a petrolatum-lanolin mixture, and a coconut oil-cocoa butter-beeswax mixture showed excellent long-lasting low friction. Moisturising the skin results in excessive friction, and the use of products that are aimed at 'moisturising without leaving a non-greasy feel' should be prevented. Most investigated dressings also demonstrate excellent performance.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Pneumonia, Viral / Skin / Coronavirus Infections / Lubricants / Personal Protective Equipment Type of study: Experimental Studies / Reviews Topics: Long Covid Limits: Adult / Humans / Male Language: English Journal: PLoS One Journal subject: Science / Medicine Year: 2020 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Journal.pone.0239363

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Pneumonia, Viral / Skin / Coronavirus Infections / Lubricants / Personal Protective Equipment Type of study: Experimental Studies / Reviews Topics: Long Covid Limits: Adult / Humans / Male Language: English Journal: PLoS One Journal subject: Science / Medicine Year: 2020 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Journal.pone.0239363