Acceptance of semipermeable glove liners compared to cotton glove liners in health care workers with work‐related skin diseases: Results of a quasi‐randomized trial under real workplace conditions

Abstract

Background Glove liners (GLs) made of cotton (COT) are worn under impermeable gloves to prevent occlusion effects. Semipermeable GLs made of Sympatex (SYM) might be an alternative. Objectives To evaluate the acceptance of GLs (COT/SYM) in health care workers (HCWs) with work‐related skin diseases (WRSDs). Methods One hundred sixty‐one HCWs with WRSDs were asked to wear GLs in combination with occlusive gloves for 10 ±2 weeks under workplace conditions. A questionnaire was applied to compare acceptance and usability of the respective glove combinations and previously used protective gloves (PUGs). Results A total of 120 data sets were available (SYM: n = 65, 77.4%; COT: n = 55, 71.4%). Both GLs provided a significantly lower sweating sensation, more pleasant climate, comfortable wearing experience, and moist or dry feeling on the skin compared to PUGs. SYM‐GLs performed significantly better than COT‐GLs regarding mobility of hands, sensitivity, and sense of touch. COT‐GLs were significantly better than SYM‐GLs in the categories fit, donning and doffing, and material contact. Conclusions Both GLs did not impair work performance, were applicable in various areas of health care activities, and were preferred over PUGs. Our results indicate that SYM‐GLs are an alternative to COT‐GLs and thus may contribute to current prevention strategies.

Effects and acceptance of semipermeable gloves compared to cotton gloves in patients with hand dermatoses: Results of a controlled intervention study

“…When used as glove liners in the real-life study, SYM also showed more donning and doffing difficulties, which was partially attributed to the immediately preceding application of skin barrier creams or hand disinfectants. 13 In the present study, the suitability of both SYM/COT and COT for everyday use was rated as "good to satisfactory". However, COT received significantly better ratings for suitability than SYM/COT.…”

“…The different mechanisms of COT and semipermeable gloves in reducing skin moisture caused by sweating might be more important when they are used as glove liners underneath occlusive gloves at work. We demonstrated in a recent study that the sensation of sweating, climate and feeling of dry skin (even when wearing occlusive gloves for a long time) were rated better for Sympatex glove liners than for cotton liners during work 13 …”

“…Accordingly, we recently found a stronger impairment of hand/finger mobility and tactility when COT instead of SYM was used as glove liner for real working conditions. 13 The donning and doffing of both gloves was rated "good", although COT performed significantly better. The easier donning of COT may be due to the higher gliding properties or the lower resistance on moist skin or oozing lesions compared to SYM.…”

“…11,12 Recently, we demonstrated in 120 healthcare workers with WRSDs that glove liners made of Sympatex are well accepted and may be superior to cotton glove liners regarding mobility of hands, sensitivity, and sense of touch. 13 Another application for cotton gloves is their use as so-called "comfort gloves" during the day or overnight by patients with hand dermatoses to cover the sensitive lesional skin, increase the efficacy of topical therapy, prevent smudges of ointments applied on the skin, and as a protective barrier against scratching, even though studies on this topic are rare. [14][15][16][17][18] Gloves made of semipermeable materials may also serve as a good alternative for this application.…”

“…Furthermore, glove liners made of semipermeable materials may serve as an effective barrier against allergens released from protective gloves (eg, accelerators) when worn underneath 11,12 . Recently, we demonstrated in 120 healthcare workers with WRSDs that glove liners made of Sympatex are well accepted and may be superior to cotton glove liners regarding mobility of hands, sensitivity, and sense of touch 13 …”