Why Use AproDerm®?

Irritants

An irritant is a substance that causes inflammation to the body in a non-immune way and can affect anyone who comes into contact with sufficient amounts of it for long enough, however those with atopic eczema are more sensitive to irritants1. The skin can react straight away (immediate response) or after a period of repeated exposure and examples of irritants include SLS, water and detergents1. Irritants remove moisture (by affecting Natural Moisturising Factor) and oils from the outer skin layer allowing pathogens, irritants and allergens to enter the skin causing inflammation and further damage1,2.

Sensitisers

skin sensitiser is a chemical that will cause an allergic reaction when exposed to the skin and unlike an irritant it will only affect those who are allergic to it3. The initial exposure will not cause a reaction but continued exposure to the sensitiser can cause the skin to react to it and once a person has been sensitised to a product, contact with even a small amount of it will cause a reaction.

Many topical products, including emollients, contain excipients in addition to the active ingredient(s). These excipients have various useful roles:

  • Thickening agents – to thicken the product.
  • Emulsifiers – an emulsifier allows oil and water to mix and, by reducing the surface tension, has a stabilising effect on the emulsion.
  • Preservatives – prevent microbial spoilage of the product by killing off or inhibiting the growth of micro-organisms.
  • Buffers – maintain the pH environment of the product throughout its shelf life.
  • Fragrances – provide a distinctive odour to the product which can be used to mask the smell of unpleasant ingredients within the product.

However, certain excipients are known irritants and / or sensitisers. Such excipients can aggravate already sensitive skin causing reactions that result in the development of skin inflammation and itchiness. This would result in your patient scratching causing further damage, exacerbating the itch-scratch cycle and preventing the skin from repairing itself. Symptoms typically seen include skin which can be red, swollen, blistered, dry, thickened, intensely itchy and cracked depending on whether the reaction is acute or chronic2. The two conditions, allergic and irritant dermatitis, may co-exist.

This is why the complete AproDerm® Range has been developed to be free from the following common irritants and sensitisers:

Hence it can be considered that the risk of a reaction to a patient will be greatly reduced thus aiding compliance. To find out more about the common irritants and sensitisers that the AproDerm® Range is free from click on the relevant box below:

Created with Sketch. SLS Click for more information Benzyl Alcohol Click for more information Parabens Click for more information Fragrances Click for more information Triethanolamine Click for more information Chlorocresol Click for more information AproDerm ® Emollients are free from these common irritants and sensitisers
Ec.europa.eu. (2012). Health and safety: Skin irritants - SAMANCTA. [online] Available at: http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/dds2/SAMANCTA/EN/Safety/SkinIrritants_EN.htm [Accessed 18 Apr. 2018] | Oshwiki.eu. (2017). Irritants and allergens: OSHwiki. [online] Available at: https://oshwiki.eu/wiki/Irritants_and_allergens [Accessed 18 Apr. 2018]. | 3 Skin Sensitisers. (2003). 40th ed. [ebook] Belgium: European Agency for Safety and Health at Work. Available at: https://osha.europa.eu/en/tools-and-publications/publications/factsheets/40 [Accessed 18 Apr. 2018].