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

Abstract

Background Semipermeable gloves might be an alternative to cotton gloves in management of hand dermatoses. Objectives To compare acceptance and tolerability of gloves made of cotton or a semipermeable Sympatex membrane in patients with hand dermatoses and their effect on skin lesions when worn overnight. Methods A total of 199 patients with work‐related symmetrical hand dermatoses were asked to wear a cotton glove (COT) on one hand and a Sympatex glove underneath a cotton glove (SYM/COT) on the other hand for 19 consecutive nights. The severity of skin lesions was regularly examined. A questionnaire on acceptance and tolerability was used in a subset of 126 patients. Results Data on skin lesions were available for 183 participating patients (92%). The severity did not differ substantially between hands covered with SYM/COT or COT over time. Questionnaire data were available for 120 patients (95%). SYM/COT received better ratings regarding climate conditions while COT showed superiority in wearing comfort, practicality and appearance. Conclusions Both SYM/COT and COT were well tolerated and accepted in patients with hand dermatoses. Hence, SYM/COT may serve as suitable alternative for COT as comfort gloves supporting therapeutic efforts. The observed slight differences may influence the decision when selecting the glove type.

Review on Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Research Advancements on the Use of Medical Gloves Concerning Hand Dermatitis Among Health Care Workers

“…compared the acceptance and tolerability of semipermeable gloves with those of cotton gloves. In their study [ 55 ], 199 patients with work-related symmetrical hand dermatoses were instructed to wear a cotton glove on one hand and a Sympatex glove underneath the cotton glove, and the severity was scored according to the Osnabrueck Hand Eczema Severity Index. Both the cotton glove and the Sympatex glove underneath a cotton glove were well tolerated among patients and reduced the severity of HD from 6.1 to 2.8 and from 6.3 to 2.8, respectively.…”

Effects of impermeable and semipermeable glove materials on resolution of inflammation and epidermal barrier impairment after experimental skin irritation

“…This is in accordance with studies in individuals with hand dermatitis revealing positive effects of comfort gloves made of semipermeable membranes. 9,32,33 We demonstrated previously in 199 patients with work-related symmetrical hand dermatoses (mainly hand dermatitis) that wearing a COT glove on one hand and a SYM glove underneath a COT glove on the other hand for 19 consecutive nights resulted in a similar decrease of disease severity while both gloves/glove combinations were well tolerated and accepted. 33 This was an observer-blinded study with no dropouts.…”

“…9,32,33 We demonstrated previously in 199 patients with work-related symmetrical hand dermatoses (mainly hand dermatitis) that wearing a COT glove on one hand and a SYM glove underneath a COT glove on the other hand for 19 consecutive nights resulted in a similar decrease of disease severity while both gloves/glove combinations were well tolerated and accepted. 33 This was an observer-blinded study with no dropouts. However, some limitations should be considered.…”

“…26,27 Another application for gloves made of cotton or semipermeable membranes 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. [28][29][30][31][32] Previously, we demonstrated that gloves made of SYM are well accepted and tolerated as glove liners 12 or in combination with COT gloves as comfort gloves 33 in patients with hand dermatoses. Some preliminary studies suggest in addition that semipermeable membranes may enhance epidermal barrier regeneration after experimental skin irritation which seems to depend on the duration and frequency of application.…”