Moisture-associated skin damage: use of a skin protectant containing manuka honey.

The skin is the largest organ in the body, providing an effective barrier against excessive fluid loss and invasion from bacteria, but the barrier function of the skin can be lost when it is damaged by prolonged contact with moisture. Moisture-associated skin damage can be caused by prolonged exposure to perspiration, urine or faeces, wound exudate or stomal output. Prevention and treatment of moisture-associated skin damage involves application of skin protectants, but there is a wide range of these products available to nursing staff, and clinical decision making is hampered by a lack of robust comparative evidence. Medihoney® Barrier Cream may be used for a number of indications related to moisture-associated skin damage, including incontinence-associated dermatitis. The use of Medihoney Barrier Cream has been shown to lower pruritis complaints associated with intertrigo, and promotes patient comfort.