What Cavilon Does for the Skin
Cavilon products create a protective barrier film on the skin that shields against moisture, friction, and irritants, primarily used to prevent and manage incontinence-associated dermatitis and pressure injuries.
Primary Mechanism of Action
Cavilon functions as a physical barrier that protects skin from multiple damaging forces:
- Moisture protection: The barrier film prevents prolonged contact between skin and moisture from urine, feces, or wound exudate 1, 2
- Friction reduction: Cavilon Barrier Cream significantly reduces both static and dynamic coefficients of friction between skin and materials like incontinence pads, providing stable friction coefficients during movement 1
- Mechanical force protection: The barrier shields skin from shear forces and mechanical trauma 3
Clinical Applications
Incontinence-Associated Dermatitis (IAD)
Cavilon Durable Barrier Cream is highly effective for both preventing and treating IAD in patients with urinary and/or fecal incontinence 2:
- Large product evaluations demonstrated superior efficacy compared to previously used barrier products in managing IAD 2
- The cream maintains skin integrity in high-risk populations, particularly elderly patients and those with medical comorbidities 2, 3
Pressure Injury Prevention
Combining hydrocolloid dressing with 3M Cavilon No-Sting Barrier Film significantly reduces facial pressure injury incidence 4:
- In healthcare workers wearing protective equipment for COVID-19, this combination reduced pressure injury incidence compared to hydrocolloid dressing alone (P<0.05) 4
- Skin comfort levels improved significantly with the combined approach (P<0.05) 4
Surgical and Procedural Use
The barrier film preserves surgical skin markings when povidone-iodine adhesive draping is removed, preventing erasure of critical anatomical landmarks 5.
Product Formulations
Two main Cavilon formulations serve different purposes:
- Cavilon No-Sting Barrier Film: A liquid film-forming barrier that provides a transparent protective layer without causing stinging, even on damaged skin 4, 5
- Cavilon Durable Barrier Cream: A cream formulation that provides longer-lasting protection, particularly effective for IAD management 1, 2, 3
Key Performance Characteristics
Friction Management
Cavilon Barrier Cream demonstrates unique tribological properties 1:
- Provides the lowest dynamic and static friction coefficients among tested barrier treatments in wet-pad conditions
- Eliminates directional differences in static friction coefficients, indicating reduced shear loading
- Maintains stable friction during reciprocating sliding, unlike untreated skin or other barrier products
Skin Tolerance
The "no-sting" formulation allows application to compromised or damaged skin without causing pain 4, 3, making it suitable for patients with existing dermatitis or wounds.
Clinical Pitfalls to Avoid
- Don't confuse IAD with pressure ulcers: Recognition of IAD is often inconsistent, with symptoms frequently misidentified as pressure ulcers, leading to inappropriate treatment 2
- Age-related vulnerability: Elderly patients face particular risk from moisture and mechanical forces due to age-related skin changes including thinning dermis, decreased cell numbers, and reduced collagen 3
- Application timing: For pressure injury prevention, apply the barrier film before exposure to friction or pressure sources rather than after skin damage occurs 4