What’s the problem with barrier products?
Quite often when we see a wound on a horse’s leg there’s an old horseperson’s voice in our heads that says “put sudocrem on it”, or when dealing in particular with feathered leg issues “pig oil will fix it!”
Wrong.
A healthy skin barrier is essential to reducing risk of infection and severe progression.
We need to understand why these products are not appropriate for woundcare and CPL skincare. So this article applies to (but is not limited to) oily products, actual oils such as pig/mineral oil and barrier creams.
1. Barrier products typically form a waterproof layer that does not allow the skin to breathe. Essentially clogging up the skin. It’s especially important when dealing with areas affected by lymphoedema that we do not do anything that could trap bacteria or exudate in or trap air out. This is because lymphoedematous skin is likely to be immuno-compromised – it will have reduced healing and a higher risk of secondary infection.
2. They can cause moisture associated skin damage (MASD). This can lead to intertrigo and infection. Absolutely do not apply and leave these barrier products over wounds or infections.
3. Because the contents of the pot is oily and sticky there can be bacteria in the pot and your hands. Leave the horse with one of these products on their legs and you then have bacteria stuck to the product on the leg too.
4. Scab removal. It’s common but poor practice for some folks to advise applying udder cream or similar to ease removal of scabs. DO NOT remove scabs! They are the body’s natural protection and healing process! The only time scabs should be removed is if there is something nasty underneath that needs direct treatment – under veterinary supervision.
5. By all means put oils on the feather. But if the legs are clipped, DO NOT use it, for all the above reasons.
What to use instead?
Flamazine (silver sulfadiazine) or similar
Zinc oxide creams that absorb quickly
Emollient and emollient washes
Hydrogel
Honey products, if appropriate
Summer Fly Cream to soothe and help prevent fly strike
Red Horse products HoneyHeel
If in doubt, seek advice from a woundcare expert.
Finally, please don’t spray coloured things on the wounds such as purple or blue spray. It just obscures the view and is rarely helpful for healing.