Scientists lead study on 'spray on, wash off' bandages for painful condition

Research into new bandaging aims to ease the agony experienced by those living with the genetic skin condition Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), commonly referred to as "butterfly skin."

Scientists at Maynooth University in Ireland are leading research into whether "spray on, wash off" bandages will be a viable alternative to those currently used, which can cause severe pain when applied and removed.

EB, which affects over 500,000 children and adults worldwide, including 5,000 in the UK and 300 in Ireland, is caused by the absence of proteins between the skin layers, meaning the skin becomes ultra fragile and blisters at the mildest touch.

In severe cases, such as Recessive Dystrophic EB, bandage changes to protect wounds and prevent blister infection are required every day and can last three to four hours at a time.

The two-year study by Maynooth University's key aim will be to enable scientists to develop a prototype, with the hope of allowing non-abrasive bandages to be sprayed onto the skin. By placing them under cold water, it is hoped that they will then melt away and be removed painlessly.

"Bandage changes are a particularly excruciating element of this condition and research of this nature has the potential to make a real difference for people living with EB," said Jimmy Fearon, CEO of Debra Ireland.

"We hope its outcome might contribute to an improved quality of life for those living with EB in Ireland, and beyond."

"The aim, ultimately, is not to cause further damage to the skin," said Dr. Robert Elmes, Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Maynooth University and an Investigator at SSPC, the Science Foundation Ireland Research Center for Pharmaceuticals.

"We use supramolecular chemistry as the basis for research, studying how molecules interact with each other and how we can predict how they will separate from each other as they cool.

"This is an excellent example of a fundamental area of chemical science having a potentially life-changing impact on the everyday lives of people with EB."

Pricing for the bandages is not expected to be out of reach of those living with EB as the materials used are widely available and completely harmless to the skin.

The work will be carried out by Dr. Hilal Kirpik, of Maynooth University's Department of Chemistry, who is passionate about the real world impact of chemical research.

"By the end of the project, we hope to have a prototype that people can take home and administer themselves without the need for painful bandage removal," said Dr. Elmes, research project supervisor.

EB was recently highlighted by Patient Ambassador for Debra, Emma Fogarty, who suffers from this painful condition, and Irish actor Colin Farrell, who both participated in the Dublin Marathon in October, to highlight the condition.

Provided by Maynooth University