Scientists study the efficacy of natural cosmetics made with olive oil on the skin of people with a digestive ostomy
The study, carried out by researchers from ibs.GRANADA, the UGR and the company Notaliv Cosmética Natural, will be carried out on people who, after suffering from colon/rectal cancer, mostly have to be carriers of an ostomy and, as a consequence, carry a collection device or bag that collects bowel movement products
The deterioration of the peristomal skin (skin that surrounds the stoma and is occupied by the device or bag) is one of the problems that most affects the quality of life of these patients.
Researchers from the Biosanitary Research Institute of Granada (ibs.GRANADA) and the University of Granada have promoted an agreement with the company Notaliv Cosmética Natural that will allow the development of a line of research to test the efficacy of their products in peristomal skin care. Thanks to him, the company will donate natural cosmetics based on Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO). The donation has materialized through the Department of Social Projection, Sponsorship and Patronage of the UGR.
The research group Ee12-HYGIA: Care and conditioning factors in health of the ibs.GRANADA and the CTS-436 of the UGR have been developing a line of research on the care of people with digestive ostomy for more than a decade. These are people who, after suffering from colon/rectal cancer, mostly have to be carriers of an ostomy and, as a consequence, carry a device or collection bag that collects the products of intestinal evacuation. As a result of the investigations carried out and the available evidence, it has been possible to verify that the deterioration of the peristomal skin (skin that surrounds the stoma and is occupied by the device or bag) is one of the problems that most affects quality. of life of these people.
Caring for this skin is key as it acts as a protective barrier against the external environment. In stomatherapy clinical consultations, it is normally the stomatherapy nurse who is responsible for monitoring and promoting self-care for people with an ostomy. Among the objectives of the care plan is the recommendation of the appropriate products for the hygiene and protection of the peristomal skin, being a field in constant research.
Throughout history, the use of olive oil for hygiene and skin care has been verified. For decades, its use in hospitals and health centers has been common, as a compound of products that are used for different purposes. Its efficacy in the prevention of ulcerated lesions or its potential in the prevention of skin cancer has been demonstrated. Organic varieties of EVOO have recently been studied as solutions for the prevention and treatment of pain and cracks in the nipple of women during breastfeeding.
Notaliv is a manufacturer of natural cosmetics located in the town of Villacarrillo (Jaén). Its cosmetics are based on a product as natural as olive oil and other natural oils. In addition to the manufacture of products, one of its missions is the dissemination of the topical use of EVOO, so this agreement helps to strengthen its commitment to research in this field.
The line of work that is intended to be developed with the products of this company includes the application of gels and creams that guarantee the proper functioning of the ostomy device, especially in what has to do with its placement and removal. The moisturizing, regenerative and protective properties of EVOO suggest its effectiveness in maintaining the integrity of skin as vulnerable as the peristomal.
The gAOVEstoma project is the first study to be launched within this line. This is a pilot study whose objective is to test the efficacy of a gel with organic EVOO in peristomal skin hygiene. This product is a neutral gel, which is a feature recommended by ostomy care guidelines. The use of an organic variety of EVOO not only makes us expect its potential for skin protection, but also incorporates as an added value the fact that it is an organic product obtained through a cultivation process that is respectful of the environment and with less potential for toxicity. .
Those responsible for this research are César Hueso Montoro and Concepción Capilla Díaz, researchers from the group Ee12-HYGIA: Care and conditioning factors in health at ibs.GRANADA, professors from the Department of Nursing at the UGR and researchers from the CTS-436 group. The study will be carried out in the stomatherapy clinics of the San Cecilio University Hospital (HUSC) and the Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital (HUVN), in Granada. The nurses responsible for these consultations will participate, Josefa Martín Cebrián (HUVN) and Rosa Huertas Fernández (HUSC), who will have the support of two more nurses, also experts in stomatherapy, Inmaculada Sánchez Crisol (HUSC) and Noelia Moya Muñoz (HUVN). .
In addition, the professor and researcher at the University of Jaén, Francisco Pedro García Fernández, current coordinator of the Chair of Advanced Studies in Wounds of said University, will participate as an advisor. The study is expected to begin in October of this year. The project already has the approval of the Provincial Research Ethics Committee of Granada.
Mixing machine used to make the gel, to which the EVOO is added.