Output details

Development and preliminary testing of a standardized method for quantifying excess water in over-hydrated skin using evaporimetry

Over-hydrated skin - such as that experienced by incontinence pad wearers - is susceptible to abrasion damage which compromises skin barrier function, and so it is important to quantify the excess water. Existing methods are expensive, only semi-quantitative and / or use non-portable equipment. This paper describes the development and validation of an evaporimetry-based method which uses portable equipment costing a few £1000s. The method is now in routine use, in our research laboratories and those of the world's leading pad manufacturing company (SCA Hygiene AB) that commissioned this research.