PLoS ONE (Jan 2020)

Evaluating lubricant performance to reduce COVID-19 PPE-related skin injury.

  • Marc A Masen,
  • Aaron Chung,
  • Joanna U Dawczyk,
  • Zach Dunning,
  • Lydia Edwards,
  • Christopher Guyott,
  • Thomas A G Hall,
  • Rachel C Januszewski,
  • Shaoli Jiang,
  • Rikeen D Jobanputra,
  • Kabelan J Karunaseelan,
  • Nikolaos Kalogeropoulos,
  • Maria R Lima,
  • C Sebastian Mancero Castillo,
  • Idris K Mohammed,
  • Manoj Murali,
  • Filip P Paszkiewicz,
  • Magdalena Plotczyk,
  • Catalin I Pruncu,
  • Euan Rodgers,
  • Felix Russell,
  • Richard Silversides,
  • Jennifer C Stoddart,
  • Zhengchu Tan,
  • David Uribe,
  • Kian K Yap,
  • Xue Zhou,
  • Ravi Vaidyanathan

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0239363
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 15, no. 9
p. e0239363

Abstract

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BackgroundHealthcare 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.MethodsA 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.FindingsMost 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.InterpretationTalcum 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.