Semipermeable gloves in the prevention of occupational skin diseases: Potentials and limitations

Abstract

For many years, cotton gloves have been used as comfort gloves or glove liners in the prevention of occupational skin diseases, e.g., to reduce occlusion effects when wearing impermeable protective gloves or to support skin surface treatment. In recent years, gloves made of semipermeable membranes or laminates have been developed, which in the future could represent a further component in the prevention and management of occupational skin diseases. These have shown good skin compatibility, efficacy and user acceptance among different occupational groups when used as comfort gloves or glove liners, both in experimental skin physiological studies and in occupational practical user research. Depending on the occupation-specific requirements (e.g., field of use, duration of wearing protective gloves, requirement for fine motor skills) and individual preferences (e.g., fit, appearance/look, suitability), semipermeable gloves could represent a good alternative to the currently used textile gloves in individual cases. The use of the gloves could thus contribute to the improvement and optimization of currently existing therapeutic and protective measures in the prevention of occupational skin diseases.