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In this symposium, we present a novel breathable protective ointment (BPO) formulation developed at the University of Shizuoka for the prevention of moisture-associated skin damage (MASD) intended for use in healthcare settings. MASD occurs when moisture is in constant contact with the skin for prolonged periods of time, causing degradation of the skin barrier. Exposure to physical or chemical stimuli in addition to moisture may lead to different types of moisture-associated dermatitis such as incontinence-associated or periwound dermatitis. Another type of moisture-associated dermatitis, diaper dermatitis, is treated with protective ointments such as white petrolatum and zinc ointment. These ointments protect the skin from irritants but also block insensible dermal perspiration, which promotes further skin maceration. Therefore, we have developed a BPO formulation from white petrolatum and calcium carbonate, which serve as a protectant and pore-forming agent, respectively. In vitro water-proof tests confirmed the skin-protective properties of the BPO, and moisture-permeation tests indicated its breathability. Moreover, the BPO protected the skin from irritants without the loss of skin hydration in rats. Our next step involves the trial of BPO in infants with diaper dermatitis. In the future, this BPO could be used as an ointment base for active pharmaceutical ingredients used to prevent MASD.

Steroid ointments are frequently mixed with moisturizer. It was reported that steroid ointments mixed with moisturizer increase permeability. There are only few studies done on the permeability of the moisturizer. We researched moisturizing effect of heparinoid ointment (Hirudoid Soft ointment) diluted with white petrolatum (Propeto) on the dry skin models by measuring water content of stratum. Two to four fold dilution of Hirudoid to white petrolatum resulted in a significant decrease in the moisturizing effect of the active ingredient. There was no significant difference in moisturizing effect between four times diluted mixture and white petrolatum alone. This leads to the conclusion that steroid ointment mixture with moisturizer is frequently used, but we should take more caution regarding the decrease of moisturizing effect.