The protective effect of a new absorbent incontinence design against an alkaline pH challenge on the epidermal barrier.

Background: Incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD) is one of the most common complications of incontinence. Improved diaper designs can minimize the occurrence of IAD.

Purpose: To develop a novel diaper design to minimize the damaging effects of incontinence on the epidermal barrier.

Methods: An optimized diaper design was tested for surface dryness (ie, rewet), maintenance of a skin-adapted surface pH of 5.5, and ability to protect epidermal barrier function from an alkaline pH 10.7 challenge.

Results: The diapers released a mean (standard deviation [SD]) of 1.2 (0.2) mg/cm2 of solution under pressure after the first loading and a mean of 2.9 (1.7) mg/cm2 after the second loading. The surface pH remained between 4.5 and 5.5 over 5 hours. In healthy skin, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) increased by a mean of 3.43 (4.67) g/m2/h after the alkaline urine solution challenge with the new diaper design versus a mean of 8.38 (5.67) g/m2/h with a cellulose patch (P < .001) as a control. The mean erythema readings were 1.18 (1.30) g/m2/h for the new design and 2.56 (1.25) g/m2/h for the cellulose patches (P < .001).

Conclusion: The new diaper design minimizes rewetting, maintains an acidic surface, and protects the epidermal barrier against an alkaline pH challenge. This design may help prevent IAD.