Evaluating the Effect of Applying Skin Protective Creams Prior to Wearing Gloves

TAKE-HOME MESSAGE

• This study involving 111 participants tested the efficacy of skin protection creams (PCs) in preventing an occlusion effect when applied prior to the use of liquid-proof gloves. After 1 week of 4-hour daily occlusion, skin sensitivity to a subsequent sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) challenge was not significantly reduced in areas pretreated with seven different PCs compared with occlusion alone. Despite increased skin hydration with creams D and F, irritation following an SLS challenge was increased with some of the PCs.
• Application of PCs after, instead of before, the use of liquid-proof gloves may help prevent irritant contact dermatitis in employees handling wet-work tasks.

–  Ruth McTighe, MD

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Glove occlusion might enhance skin sensitivity to a subsequent detergent challenge (occlusion effect). Thus, some skin protection creams (PC) claim to protect against this effect of occlusion, and are recommended to be used before wearing liquid-proof gloves.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effect of PC applied prior to glove occlusion on the 'occlusion effect'-refers to increased susceptibility of the skin to a model detergent.

METHODS

One hundred and eleven volunteers were enrolled in a single-blind, randomized study. Seven PCs were applied before glove occlusion over 7 days (D1-D7). After sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) challenge, we compared the irritation between the areas treated with PC and occlusion alone. Clinical scoring and bioengineering methods (capacitance, transepidermal water loss [TEWL], and colourimetry [erythema]) were used to quantify the irritant reactions.

RESULTS

After 1 week of occlusion and PC application, we did not observe significant changes in TEWL, nor in erythema, whereas skin hydration raised in three cream-treated areas. On day 10, after a challenge with SLS, some products significantly aggravated the skin irritation as compared to occlusion alone.

CONCLUSIONS

The 'occlusion effect'-shown as higher skin susceptibility to a model detergent-was not mitigated by PCs when applied prior to glove occlusion. On the contrary, some PCs might have negative effects on skin barrier function and augment such sensitivity.

Contact Dermatitis

Applying skin protective cream and the wearing of gloves?-A randomized controlled experimental study

Contact Derm 2023 Feb 02;[EPub Ahead of Print], M Gina, K Wichert, G Kutz, T Brüning, M Fartasch 

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Benjamin Hidalgo-Matlock
Skin Care Physicians of Costa Rica

Clinica Victoria en San Pedro: 4000-1054
Momentum Escazu: 2101-9574

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