Skin Health Improvements Associated with Use of Nitrile Exam Gloves with Dermal Therapy Coating

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The association between irritated, damaged skin on the hands of healthcare workers (HCWs) and increased risk of transmission of healthcare-associated infections has led the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to recommend the use of products that help maintain skin integrity. METHOD: Nitrile exam gloves coated with ingredients involved in skin repair, moisturization, and protection of the skin's barrier properties were studied to determine the effect use of these gloves has on the hands of HCWs with compromised skin. Twenty-six HCWs with dry skin wore a nitrile exam glove with a coating comprised of ingredients proven to have beneficial effects on skin health on one hand and an equivalent nitrile exam glove without the coating on the other. RESULTS: After 12 successive 15-minute wear periods (each time with new gloves), measurements of skin moisture, erythema, transepidermal water loss, and overall skin dryness were taken from both hands of each subject at baseline and following the final wear period. Nitrile exam gloves with dermal therapy coating produced quantifiable improvements in the skin of clinicians with dry, compromised skin. Wearing exam gloves with the dermal therapy coating resulted in a greater improvement in skin moisturization, produced less erythema, reduced skin flaking, and did not increase water loss through the skin. CONCLUSIONS: Routine use of exam gloves with this dermal therapy coating has the potential to improve clinicians' skin and contribute to a reduction in the number of healthcare-associated infections by reducing scaliness of the skin and improving overall skin wellness.