EFFECTS OF AN ANTIPERSPIRANT WITH EMOLLIENTS ON FOOT-SWEAT ACCUMULATION AND BLISTER FORMATION WHILE WALKING IN THE HEAT

Background: Friction blisters are a common injury in sports activities and military operations, Blisters can compromise performance, so it i s important to devise preventive strategies to reduce these injuries. Objective: This study investigated the influence of an antiperspirant with emollient additives on frequency and severity of friction blister s, hot spots, and irritant dermatitis. Methods: Twenty-three healthy m en walked on a treadmill (1.39 m/sec, 1% grade) in a warm environment (28 degrees C, 25% relative humidity) carrying a total mass of 21 +/- 1 kg. For 4 consecutive days before the walk, the subjects' feet were treated with either (1) an antiperspirant (20% aluminum zirconium tetr achlorohydrex glycine concentration plus water) with emollient additiv es, (2) emollient additives alone (placebo control), or (3) nothing (n ontreated). In two separate trials (1 month apart) each participant re ceived the antiperspirant treatment and both control treatments (emoll ient [placebo] and no treatment).Results: No differences were seen amo ng treatment conditions for swear accumulation (p = 0.86), blister inc idence (p = 0.36), hot spot incidence (p = 0.83), or blister severity (p = 0.31). Irritant dermatitis was not reported in any of the treatme nt conditions. Conclusion: The use of an antiperspirant with emollient s reduces irritant dermatitis but does not reduce total foot-sweat acc umulation, blister or hot spot incidence, or blister severity.