Acute and Chronic Peristomal Skin Condition and the use of Ceramide Infused Skin Barriers

Introduction: A global evaluation of a novel ceramide infused skin barrier was conducted in 2015 and 2016.  The evaluation involved 184 nurses from four countries enrolling 284 patients (2015-2016).  Of primary concern in the evaluation was the condition of peristomal skin prior to the use of ceramide infused skin barriers and after the use of the ceramide infused skin barriers.  Peristomal skin condition was assessed using the Skin Assessment Tool scored for Discoloration, Erosion, and Tissue Overgrowth (DET; scale = 0-15)¹. 

Objective: Analyze peristomal skin condition of patients in a product evaluation in which there was an existing diagnosis of acute or chronic irritant dermatitis.  

Results: Thirty-nine patients had valid DET scores and an existing diagnosis of acute irritant dermatitis with no other skin conditions noted.   Prior to the use of the ceramide infused skin barriers a cumulative assessment of these patients indicated a mean DET score of 5.10 (moderate peristomal skin complications).  After the use of the ceramide barriers the assessment indicated a mean DET score of 1.54 (mild peristomal skin complications).  

Twenty-four patients had valid DET scores and an existing diagnosis of chronic irritant dermatitis with no other skin conditions noted.   Prior to the use of the ceramide infused skin barriers a cumulative assessment of patients indicated a mean DET score of 7.00 (moderate peristomal skin condition).  After the use of the ceramide barriers the assessment indicated a mean DET score of 3.33 (mild peristomal skin complications).

Of those with acute or chronic irritant dermatitis, 1 (1.6%) worsened in skin condition, 11 (17.5%0 stayed the same, and 51 (80.9%) had improvements in peristomal skin condition.

Conclusions: In this product evaluation ceramide infused skin barriers were associated with improvements in peristomal skin condition.