Protective gloves in Swedish dentistry: use and side-effects

Abstract

Swedish dentists show good compliance with the recommendations for routine glove use. Intolerance reactions are frequently reported, especially by dentists with hand eczema, which emphasizes the need for preventive skin care programmes. Glove-related symptoms from mucous membranes showed a higher association with IgE-mediated allergy to NRL than reported itching of the skin, a fact that should be considered when composing screening questionnaires for NRL sensitization

Do adverse effects of dental materials exist? What are the consequences, and how can they be diagnosed and treated?

“…The percentage of diagnosed allergic contact dermatitis among the examined dental personnel with hand eczema was rather consistent (about 28% (Wallenhammar et al 2000; Lee et al 2001; Alanko et al 2004); irritative contact eczema was diagnosed in 67% of all investigated cases). The figure for diagnosed latex allergy (type I allergy) generally seemed to be smaller than for allergic contact dermatitis, ranging from just below 1% (Wrangsjö et al 2001) or 2% (Leggat & Smith 2006) to 6% (Hamann et al 1998) of all diagnosed dental cases with hand eczema.…”

Skin reactions amongst Greek endodontists: a national questionnaire survey

“…A significant association between the history of hand eczema and the prevalence of hand skin reactions was found in the present as well as in previous studies (Field , Wrangsjo et al . , Agrawal et al . ).…”

“…, Wrangsjo et al . , Vangveeravong et al . ) amongst dentists, dental students and dental personnel.…”

Update on Hand Eczema with Special Focus on the Impact of Moisturisers

“…Exposure to wet work is a particular risk factor for the development of hand eczema, and the use of gloves in wet work has generally been recommended and accepted as an important preventive measure, particularly when combined with other preventative measures. Compliance with this recommendation is good in some but not all occupations [ 18 ] . However, gloves may also sometimes be the cause of hand eczema, since protective rubber gloves may cause irritant dermatitis from heat and sweating, or allergic contact dermatitis from contact sensitisation to rubber additives or contact urticaria caused by immediate allergy to natural rubber latex [19][20][21] .…”