EVALUATION OF A DRESSING TO REDUCE NIPPLE PAIN AND IMPROVE NIPPLE SKIN CONDITION IN BREAST-FEEDING WOMEN

Citation
Mm. Ziemer et al., EVALUATION OF A DRESSING TO REDUCE NIPPLE PAIN AND IMPROVE NIPPLE SKIN CONDITION IN BREAST-FEEDING WOMEN, Nursing research, 44(6), 1995, pp. 347-351
Citations number
45
Categorie Soggetti
Nursing
Journal title
ISSN journal
00296562
Volume
44
Issue
6
Year of publication
1995
Pages
347 - 351
Database
ISI
SICI code
0029-6562(1995)44:6<347:EOADTR>2.0.ZU;2-P
Abstract
This study was designed to evaluate whether maintenance of a moist env ironment on the nipple skin during the first week of breast-feeding wo uld improve damaged nipple skin condition, as indicated by the presenc e of eschar, erythema, and fissures, and reduce pain. Fifty White wome n applied a polyethylene film dressing with a perimeter adhesive syste m to a randomly determined nipple. The dressing was present at all tim es except during feeding. Subjects were assessed every 48 hours (four times) over 7 days. Serial photographic slides were obtained and asses sed for skin characteristics. Nipple pain was self-rated with a verbal descriptor scale. Use of an occlusive film dressing on nipple skin du ring the first week of breast-feeding appeared to have limited influen ce on improvement in damaged skin condition. Summary scores indicated significant reduction in the amount of eschar on the surface of the ni pple. There were no differences in erythema intensity or fissure sever ity. Use of a dressing significantly reduced nipple pain during the st udy period.