COVID-19: Talc, Vaseline among the best lubricants for people wearing PPE, according to research

Medical staff remove PPE after collection of covid test samples at the Taluka office in Detroj village in Ahmedabad district. (Express photo by Nirmal Harindran)

Scientists have found that petroleum jelly and talcum powder are most likely to provide long-term skin protection for people wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). COVID-19 (new coronavirus infection) (# If there is no character limit, add parentheses when it first appears Pandemic..

According to a study published in the journal PLOS ONE, the best lubricants to use are those that are not absorbed by the skin and provide a long-lasting protective layer between the skin and PPE.

Scientists, including Imperial College London in London, UK, have found that wearing PPEs such as face visors, goggles and respiratory protection has become an integral part of their working lives for the front-line healthcare professionals of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mentioned that,
They said that many workers wear facial PPE for a longer period of time than before to protect themselves from the SARS-CoV-2 virus. However, researchers say that prolonged use of PPE, especially on delicate facial skin, can cause rubbing and shear damage such as skin lacerations, blisters, ulcers, and hives.

Read | Description: How do healthcare professionals protect themselves from infection?

To reduce the effects of friction and shear, workers are advised to apply a lubricant every 30 minutes. This is unrealistic during shift work and states that it can expose workers to the virus.
Scientists added that many typical moisturizers are designed to be absorbed by the skin for a “non-greasy feel” and will not last long.

“We think moisturizers are good for our skin, but over-the-counter skin creams are often designed to be absorbed by the skin without leaving any residue.”

“This is fine for daily moisturizing, but our research shows that greasy residues are needed to protect the skin from the rubbing of PPE,” Masen said. I will.

Read | Description: Healthcare professional procedures for COVID-19 patients

In the study, scientists created a custom tribometer, a device that assesses friction between two surfaces, and used it to create friction between the skin and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), a common component of PPE. I tested it.

They tested commercial products to measure how they change the friction between PDMS and the skin inside the forearm of a healthy 44-year-old male participant, and tested the friction at the time of application. ..

The researchers repeated the test process 1, 2, and 4 hours after application. In this study, most products initially reduced friction by 20 percent, but some silicone-based and water- and glycerin-based lubricants increased friction levels by up to 29 percent over time compared to dry skin. I did. However, scientists say the two products have reduced friction over time.

Studies show that talcum powder reduces friction by 49% at application and 59% at 4 hours, while commercial products containing coconut oil, cocoa butter and beeswax are 31% at application and cents at 534 hours. Scientists said the mixture of petrolatum and lanolin reduced friction by 30 percent throughout the test. They found that when applying a commercial moisturizer, the friction during application was low, but increased significantly within 10 minutes after application.

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Researchers explained that this is because the active ingredient, known as a moisturizer, attracts water from the bottom to the top of the skin like a magnet, making it soft, unlubricated and fragile. “Products that are not easily absorbed by the skin are products that provide a protective layer. In fact, it is best for PPE wearers to actively avoid creams and moisturizers that advertise a” non-greasy feel “.” Co-author Zhengchu Tan said.

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“Rubbing can cause incredible damage to the skin, especially when applied for long periods of time. Our study shows that healthcare professionals and other front-line PPE wearers are affected by skin friction. I hope you will be saved from suffering from painful and harmful effects.

Researchers believe that this finding may help PPE wearers find the best skin-saving products.

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