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

Evaluation of comfort gloves made of semipermeable and textile materials in patients with hand dermatoses: Results of a controlled multicenter intervention study (ProTection II)

BACKGROUND

Comfort gloves are used in the management of hand dermatoses.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the acceptance and tolerability of comfort gloves made of different materials in patients with hand dermatoses and their effects on skin lesions.

METHODS

In a prospective multicenter study, 284 patients with hand dermatoses were invited to wear either a cotton glove (COT) or a semipermeable Sympatex glove underneath a cotton glove (SYM/COT) for two subsequent phases of 19 consecutive nights each. A total of 88 controls were asked not to wear any comfort gloves overnight. The severity of skin lesions over time was examined. Questionnaires were used to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and acceptance and tolerability of the gloves.

RESULTS

The hand dermatoses improved in all groups. No substantial intergroup differences regarding severity and HRQoL were observed. SYM/COT received better ratings regarding climate conditions and tactility while COT showed superiority in fit, wearing comfort, and practicality.

CONCLUSIONS

We confirmed that SYM/COT and COT are well tolerated and accepted suggesting that SYM/COT is a good alternative for COT as comfort gloves in patients with hand dermatoses. Individual requirements, needs, and preferences may direct the material choice.

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

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

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 nineteen 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. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.