THE SECOND SKIN THAT COULD SAVE YOUR HANDS

AT THE height of the pandemic, Wexford company NP Liquid Glass Systems saw huge demand from healthcare facilities and businesses for its unique bacteria-resistant surface-coating that helped eliminate the spread of microorganisms, like bacteria and viruses.

It led to the development of a new protective film for skin — NP Glove, delivering a long-lasting barrier to microorganisms, dirt, aggressive liquids, irritants and sweat.

As Covid-19 showed, microorganisms pose a serious economic and health threat, says the family company’s sales director Rachel Hickey. She says that microbial contamination of surfaces and contact transmission of disease is more problematic than ever.

‘The pandemic is less severe as vaccines get control of the virus at an adequate level,’ she says. ‘But the multi-resistant germs, like MRSA infection, will remain a longterm problem.’

The skin is exposed to a wide variety of dangers every day, according to the maker of NP Glove, a spray-on invisible protective film that lasts up to 24 hours. It prevents skin from drying out, and hands can be washed with soap and even disinfected several times a day as usual, without diminishing the protection.

The product feels like a second skin and is suited to professional and everyday life, Hickey says, effortlessly reducing adhesion of dirt and germs.

‘Many protective measures actually stress the skin,’ she says. ‘Frequent use of disinfectant or disposable gloves causes skin irritation, especially for professionals in the health and food sectors.’.

With NP Glove, the skin feels completely normal, and some users have actually reported a reduction in contact dermatitis, Hickey adds. ‘The protective film is neither visible nor noticeable, and in no way affects tactile perception or prevents the skin breathing. It drastically reduces the adhesion of dirt and oil too, so cleaning with warm water and mild soap is sufficient, without any aggressive scrubbing.’

Antimicrobial resistance is one of the most pressing dangers in the health sector, and secondary bacterial infection and increased antibiotic use during Covid-19 actually promoted the spread of so-called ‘super-bugs’.

‘Increased use of antibiotics worsened the already pressing problem of antimicrobial resistance,’ says Hickey. ‘So NP Glove is a valuable weapon in the fight against infection transmission.’

The new hand protection will supplement the efficacy of NP Bacterlon, the surface coating supplied by NP Liquid Glass Systems that kills 99% of bacteria on contact, including MRSA.

The coating prevents the adhesion of noxious organisms on surfaces, meaning microorganisms cannot be spread by touching treated areas like counters, switches, door handles or furniture.

Combined, the skin and surface treatments are a holistic approach to interrupting the chain of infection, and preventing transfer and cross-contamination.

Practical tests confirmed effectiveness in settings including a nursing home and in everyday clinical practice in a health centre.