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.

Mild but effective skin cleansing-Evaluation of laureth-23 as a primary surfactant.

OBJECTIVE: Skin cleansing products are among the main reasons for the development of hand eczema. Therefore, a mild but effective skin cleansing product is of particular interest, especially in the work place, where various contaminations frequently have to be removed from hands. METHODS: In this study, the potential of laureth-23 as a primary surfactant was evaluated and compared to other fatty alcohol ethoxylates (FAEO). Also, different laureth-23 surfactant combinations were compared to each other. Therefore, transepidermal water loss, erythema and visual scoring were measured after occlusive patch testing in 24 healthy subjects (aged 18-55). Afterwards, the results were ranked from low to high irritant potential and an irritation score was calculated. Furthermore, the cleaning performance was tested using an automated cleansing device in 10 healthy subjects (aged 18-55). RESULTS: The results confirmed the low irritant potential of laureth-23 and blends thereof. Within the different laureth-23 surfactant combinations, the combination of laureth-23 with a mild amphoteric and a mild anionic surfactant was superior to other laureth-23 surfactant combinations like laureth-23/anionic/anionic regarding skin compatibility as well as cleaning performance. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, laureth-23 showed very good performance as a primary surfactant. Especially, the combination of laureth-23, cocamidopropyl betaine and disodium laureth sulfosuccinate was mild to the skin while also showing good cleansing performance.

OBJECTIF: Les produits de nettoyage de la peau sont l'une des principales causes du développement de l'eczéma des mains. Un produit de nettoyage de la peau doux mais efficace présente un réel intérêt, en particulier sur le lieu de travail, où diverses contaminations doivent fréquemment être éliminées des mains. MÉTHODES: Dans cette étude, le potentiel du laureth­23 en tant que surfactant primaire a été évalué et comparé à d'autres éthoxylates d'alcool gras (FAEO). Plusieurs associations de surfactant laureth­23 ont également été comparées entre elles, ce qui a permis de mesurer la perte d'eau trans­épidermique, l'érythème et le score visuel après un test épicutané occlusif chez vingt­quatre sujets en bonne santé (âgés de 18 à 55 ans). Par la suite, les résultats ont été classés selon leur potentiel irritant, du plus faible au plus fort, et un score d'irritation a été calculé. En outre, la performance de nettoyage a été testée à l'aide d'un dispositif de nettoyage automatisé chez dix sujets en bonne santé (âgés de 18 à 55 ans). RÉSULTATS: Les résultats ont confirmé le faible potentiel irritant du laureth­23 et de ses mélanges. Parmi les différentes associations de surfactant laureth­23, l'association de laureth­23 avec un léger surfactant amphotérique et un léger surfactant anionique était supérieure aux autres associations de surfactant laureth­23 comme laureth­23/anionique/anionique en ce qui concerne la compatibilité cutanée et les performances de nettoyage. CONCLUSION: En conclusion, laureth­23 a montré de très bonnes performances en tant que surfactant primaire. L'association de laureth­23, de cocamidopropyl bêtaine et de laureth sulfosuccinate disodique s'est notamment avérée avoir peu d'impact sur la peau tout en montrant de bonnes performances de nettoyage.

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: 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.

Effects of skin washing frequency on the epidermal barrier function and inflammatory processes of the epidermis: An experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Increased hand hygiene measures during the COVID-19 pandemic have led to an increased quantum of hand eczema (HE). OBJECTIVES: To examine the effects of varying washing frequencies using current mild cleansing agents-alongside with the effect of a rehydrating cream-on the epidermal barrier function and inflammatory processes of the stratum corneum(SC). METHODS: Standardized skin washings on the volar aspects of the lower arms of skin-healthy volunteers were performed using the automated cleansing device either 5 or 11 times within 4 h for 60 s each with a standard cleanser, a lipid-containing syndet, or a lipid-containing syndet followed by one-time application of a rehydrating cream. Skin bioengineering parameters (transepidermal water loss, SC hydration, erythema, and SC pH) and biochemical/immunological parameters (interleukin-1α, interleukin-1α receptor antagonist and natural moisturizing factor) of SCsamples collected by tape stripping were assessed. RESULTS: All applied washing procedures provided comparable, mild effects on the epidermal barrier function and skin inflammation. CONCLUSION: Occupational skin cleansers seem to have improved regarding skin barrier damaging effects. To further corroborate this, a study design, modified on the basis of our findings, applying longer washing periods for consecutive days seems desirable.