Skin Prep

A protective barrier wipe is a dressing that creates a covering between your skin and external catheters, adhesive dressings, drainage tubes, and ostomy sites. Its purpose is to form a barrier of moisture to reduce friction at the site upon removal of the adhesive, catheter, or drainage tubes. For skin prep, a barrier wipe:

• Forms a layer of protection between skin and tape
• Reduces tape stripping effects
• Eliminates friction and creates a non-irritating, smooth surface
• Aids in dressing and tape adhesion

Barrier wipes are best used before surgery, when a dressing is being changed, or when a catheter or drain is about to be employed. By using wipes shortly before adhesive, a drain, or a catheter is employed, the skin is coated enough to provide slickness to facilitate the removal of all three while protecting the skin against allergic reactions and scraping.

No. Barrier wipes are not adhesive, nor do they provide a foundation to help adhesive the stick better. Protective wipes will help with removing adhesive, particularly if your skin is sensitive to the adhesive or the process of removing it. Protective wipes do not, however, provide complete protection from adhesive if your skin is particularly sensitive.

Barrier wipes are usually water-based and minimize the impact of alcohol on the skin, as well as aid in protecting it when removing adhesive. With catheters and drains, protective wipes form a coating on top of the skin that facilitates the removal of either without further irritating the skin.