Applying skin protective cream and the wearing of gloves? - a randomised controlled experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Glove occlusion might enhance skin sensitivity to a subsequent detergent challenge (occlusion effect). Thus, some skin protection creams (PC) claim to protect against this effect of occlusion, and are recommended to be used before wearing liquid-proof gloves.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of PC applied prior to glove occlusion on the "occlusion effect" - refers to increased susceptibility of the skin to a model detergent.

METHODS: One hundred and eleven volunteers were enrolled in a single-blind, randomised study. Seven PCs were applied before glove occlusion over seven days (D1-D7). After sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) challenge, we compared the irritation between the areas treated with PC and occlusion alone. Clinical scoring and bioengineering methods (capacitance, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and colourimetry (erythema) were used to quantify the irritant reactions.

RESULTS: After one week of occlusion and PC application we did not observe significant changes in TEWL, nor in erythema, whereas skin hydration raised in three cream-treated areas. On day ten, after a challenge with SLS, some products significantly aggravated the skin irritation as compared to occlusion alone.

CONCLUSIONS: The "occlusion effect" - shown as higher skin susceptibility to a model detergent - was not mitigated by PCs when applied prior to glove occlusion. On the contrary, some PCs might have negative effects on skin barrier function and augment such sensitivity. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.