Maynooth University leads the way in ‘butterfly’ bandages for ED patients
Debra Ireland Research Officer Grace Callan, MU postdoctoral researcher Dr Hilal Kirpik, MU's Science and Engineering Associate Dean of Research Dr Robert Elmes and Head of Research at Debra Ireland, Sinead Hickey
Scientists at Maynooth University 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 on sufferers of epidermolysis bullosa (EB) or ‘butterfly skin’?
EB, endured by 300 people 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 received co-funding of almost €113,000 from Debra, the national charity supporting those living with EB, and the Irish Research Council (IRC).
Its 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.
“The aim, ultimately, is not to cause further damage to the skin,” said Dr Robert Elmes, Associate Professor at the Department of Chemistry at Maynooth University and a funded investigator at SSPC, the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Pharmaceuticals.
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 City Marathon to highlight the condition.
There are four main forms of EB that vary in severity, but all carry their own life-limiting symptoms, life-long pain and, in many cases, disability.
The more severe forms of EB have a life expectancy range of early infancy to 35 years of age.
