Enhancing Comfort and Care: The Advantages of Gentle Adhesives for Stick-to-Skin Products

by | Aug 29, 2023

This is part 1 of our 2-part post where we will be covering the advantages of gentle adhesives for stick-to-skin products. In part 1 we will be covering the types of patients who may benefit from the use of this category of skin-safe adhesive.

Gentle stick-to-skin adhesives serve as a vital innovation in healthcare, designed to minimize the risk of skin damage and irritation, making them a preferred choice for an array of patient groups with sensitive or fragile skin. These adhesives help bridge the gap between secure attachment of the device to the skin and patient comfort, offering a range of benefits that cater to the unique needs of various patient categories.

Among those who stand to gain the most are pediatric and neonatal patients, whose delicate and sensitive skin requires the use of gentle adhesives. These adhesives find widespread application in securing medical devices like IV lines, wound dressings, and sensors. Similarly, the elderly population, with its tendency for thinner and more fragile skin, obtains immense advantages from gentle adhesives that minimize the risk of skin tears and irritation. For patients already dealing with fragile or compromised skin conditions like dermatitis or eczema, these adhesives offer a welcome relief, avoiding the aggravation of preexisting skin conditions.

Patients burdened with chronic illnesses demanding ongoing medical interventions, such as diabetes management or wound care, find comfort in the gentleness of these adhesives. By minimizing the risk of added skin complications, patients are supported in managing their conditions more effectively. Following surgical procedures, when the skin is particularly vulnerable during the healing process, gentle adhesives prove invaluable. They provide the necessary adhesion for attaching medical devices and dressings to the skin without adding trauma to incision areas.

For those who are undergoing cancer treatment, where radiation therapy and chemotherapy can lead to skin changes, gentle adhesives play a pivotal role in securing devices and dressings without worsening discomfort. Patients prone to allergies, who react adversely to traditional adhesives or medical device materials, may also find relief using gentle adhesives.

For patients under home healthcare, effortless application, and removal of adhesives without causing irritation are essential, especially for devices like wound dressings or catheters. Meanwhile, individuals requiring the use of wearable sensors or cardiac monitoring patches gain a significant comfort advantage through gentle adhesives that ensure adequate adhesion without sacrificing accurate monitoring.

However, it’s important to recognize that while gentle adhesives generally suit these patient categories, individual reactions can vary. For this reason, the assessment of each patient’s skin condition and medical needs by healthcare professionals is essential to determine the most appropriate adhesive solution.

In essence, gentle stick-to-skin adhesives are of crucial importance when it comes to ensuring effective treatment while prioritizing patient comfort and skin health.  Stay tuned for part 2 of our post where we will highlight examples of specific stick-to-skin products that use gentle medical adhesive and where we will highlight DermaMed’s gentL Low Trauma Adhesive which might be the ideal solution for your next stick-to-skin wearable project.

To learn more, please contact us today!