Cooling Insoles Developed at Maynooth University Target Painful EB Simplex Symptoms
Researchers at Maynooth University are developing a specialized shoe insole designed to cool the feet and prevent severe blistering for individuals living with epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS), rte.ie reported. The experimental device addresses a primary physical trigger of the condition by maintaining foot temperature at 32 degrees Celsius, potentially expanding the mobility of those affected by the painful genetic skin disorder.
Epidermolysis bullosa is caused by a missing protein that binds skin layers together. For the most common variant, EBS, physical activity triggers blister formation through a combination of heat, moisture, and abrasion. Because the feet contain a high concentration of sweat glands, walking causes foot temperature to rise inside standard shoes and socks. The Maynooth-developed prototype attempts to interrupt this chain reaction by utilizing an internal cooling fluid and a separate heat exchanger positioned outside the shoe to continuously draw heat away from the foot.
The Hidden Toll of a Daily Routine
While individuals with EBS may appear outwardly healthy, simple physical activities like walking to catch a bus or attending social gatherings often result in severe pain and extensive blistering. The latest prototype was recently demonstrated to the Meath-based Dawson family, including father Mark and daughter Sophia, both of whom live with EB.
The new development could be of huge benefit to those who on the outside might look perfectly healthy, but suffer in silence because of the toll simple physical activity takes on our feet.
— Mark Dawson
Dr. Linzi Ryan, research lead at Maynooth University’s Department of Design Innovation, emphasized the social and psychological isolation associated with the condition. “One of the things with EBS is that it can be a hidden condition because people may not see blisters on the feet or hands,” Dr. Ryan stated. “You have people who are not able to walk to the bus with their friends because their feet blister. It has a negative impact on their quality of life, on their social circles, on their confidence.”
Charity Funding Drives New Cooling Innovation for Patients
Before the development of this cooling technology, individuals sought various improvised methods to manage the intense heat and sweating. Debra, the national charity supporting the 300 people living with EB in Ireland, noted that some patients resorted to placing frozen sanitary towels inside their shoes prior to short walks.
Fatma Ben Youssef, head of research at Debra, described the innovation as an important advancement for the community. The project itself was driven forward by the charity’s expert panel and relies on seed funding provided by Debra alongside EB Research in Austria.
Keeping feet cool is vital to prevent blisters from forming in the first place. People have told us about the awful restrictions it places on them walking around and the days of pain they suffer after attending something as simple as a concert or a football match, involving short walks. This is not a cure but it’s one less barrier for them.
— Fatma Ben Youssef, Head of Research at Debra
The device is specifically engineered to prevent blisters from forming rather than treating them after the fact. Moving forward, the project’s accessibility to the wider EBS community depends on its formal classification as a medical device for commercial availability.
