Research Findings from the Thai Red Cross Society
Bed sheets using Nano Zinc Oxide technology can genuinely help reduce skin rashes and dampness on the skin of bedridden patients, supported by clinical research. A study conducted by the Srisavarindhira Thai Red Cross Institute of Nursing in collaboration with Rajamangala University of Technology Krungthep, and published in the Thai Red Cross Nursing Journal, found that bedridden patients who used Nano Zinc bed sheets showed faster improvement in skin rashes than those who used regular bed sheets. The Nano Zinc bed sheets also significantly reduced skin moisture and skin temperature.
In this article, we will take a closer look at what the study found and why simply changing a bed sheet can help make patients feel more comfortable.
What did the study find?
This study involved 62 bedridden patients in the Khlong Toei community area of Bangkok. They were divided equally into 2 groups: a Nano Zinc bed sheet group (31 patients) and a regular bed sheet group (31 patients). Data were collected over a period of 14 days, with measurements taken every 2 days.
The study found 3 key outcomes:
Faster improvement in skin rashes
Before the study began, 7 patients already had red skin rashes, including 5 patients in the Nano Zinc group and 2 patients in the regular bed sheet group. The results showed that, in the Nano Zinc group, the rashes improved and disappeared within 4 to 8 days, while the regular bed sheet group still had rashes throughout the study period.
Reduced skin moisture
The average skin moisture levels on the back and buttocks of the Nano Zinc group were significantly lower than those of the regular bed sheet group (p < .05). The back and buttocks are the areas where bedridden patients most commonly experience skin problems because these areas remain in constant contact with the bed.
Reduced skin temperature
Skin temperatures on the back, buttocks, and legs in the Nano Zinc group were significantly lower than those in the regular bed sheet group (p < .05) in all 3 areas. Lower skin temperature means patients feel more comfortable and have a lower risk of developing heat-related skin rashes.
Why is Nano Zinc more effective than regular fabric?
A question many people ask is: can simply changing a bed sheet really make a difference? The answer lies in 3 properties of Nano Zinc that regular fabric does not have:
Reduces bacteria
Nano Zinc particles help inhibit the growth of bacteria that can cause skin inflammation and unpleasant odors. It has been tested according to international standards and can inhibit bacteria by more than 99%.
Helps improve airflow and reduce dampness
Nano Zinc helps the fabric manage moisture more effectively, reducing the buildup of sweat and heat on the skin, which are major causes of irritation.
Embedded in the fiber, not surface-coated
A key difference from general antimicrobial fabrics is that Nano Zinc is embedded into the fiber during the manufacturing process, rather than being coated onto the surface afterward. As a result, it does not peel off during washing. Its properties remain effective throughout the product’s lifetime, even after high-temperature laundering in hospital systems.
Conclusion: Can changing bed sheets really improve a patient’s quality of life?
Based on these clinical findings, the answer is yes. Choosing bed sheets with technologies such as Nano Zinc is not only about comfort, but also about creating a better environment for the patient’s skin by reducing moisture, lowering temperature, and decreasing the risk of skin rashes.
When patients feel more comfortable, their rest also improves, which is a fundamental factor in overall healthcare. It can also help reduce the burden on caregivers.
Download the full research paper
For medical personnel or anyone interested in the statistical data and detailed research process, the full paper can be downloaded here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will fabric with Nano Zinc irritate the delicate skin of patients?
You can be confident that it will not. Nano Zinc fabric is certified to OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 Class I, which is the highest level of safety and is suitable even for the skin of newborn babies. It is therefore gentle on the delicate skin of patients. It has also passed cytotoxicity testing in accordance with ISO 10993-5, the same standard used for medical devices.
Will the properties fade after frequent washing?
No. Nano Zinc is embedded into the fiber itself, not coated on the surface, so it does not peel off during washing. Its properties remain effective even after more than 150 washes.
What other applications are possible besides bed sheets?
Nano Zinc technology can be applied to all textile products that come into contact with patients’ skin, such as patient gowns, pillowcases, towels, or bandages, to help reduce bacteria and create a cleaner environment around the patient.
Who conducted this research, and how reliable is it?
This research was conducted by researchers from the Srisavarindhira Thai Red Cross Institute of Nursing in collaboration with Rajamangala University of Technology Krungthep. It was approved by a research ethics committee and published in the Thai Red Cross Nursing Journal (ISSN 1906-7925).
How is Nano Zinc different from antimicrobial fabrics coated with chemicals?
Conventional antimicrobial fabrics often use chemical coatings applied to the fabric surface. These coatings gradually wear off after repeated washing, causing their effectiveness to decline over time. In contrast, Nano Zinc is embedded into the fiber during the manufacturing process, so its properties remain effective throughout the product’s lifespan. It does not peel off and leaves no chemical residue on the fabric surface.
References
- M.L. Somjinda Chompoonut, Wannapen Inkaew, and Piyaporn Khampeeraphapphan. (2020). Effects of Nano Zinc Oxide Fabric on Rash Occurrence, Skin Moisture, and Skin Temperature in Bedridden Patients. Thai Red Cross Nursing Journal, 13(1). ISSN 1906-7925.
- Wiegand, C., et al. (2013). Skin-protective effects of a zinc oxide-functionalized textile and its relevance for atopic dermatitis. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 6, 115-121.
- Ashraf, M., et al. (2016). Single-step antimicrobial and moisture management finishing of PC fabric using ZnO nanoparticles. Autex Research Journal.
- OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, international safety standard for textiles (oeko-tex.com)
- ISO 10993-5:2009, cytotoxicity testing standard at the same level used for medical devices
