Gloves and eczema

Gloves protect the hands against the drying effects and irritation of water and soap, against the effects of touching various irritants, and against contact with allergenic substances.

Gloves themselves can, however, also be the cause of skin irritation, allergy, and eczema. Almost half the people who use protective gloves on a daily basis have bothersome symptoms.

Hand eczema caused by wearing protective gloves (glove eczema) is frequent. Hand eczema can develop to become severe and chronic.

Copyright: Danderm dermatologik atlas

Skin reactions from wearing gloves include:

• Irritant contact eczema (dermatitis – skin irritation)

• Allergic contact eczema (allergy to rubber chemicals)

• Latex allergy and eczema (latex allergy)

Irritant contact eczema (dermatitis)

The most common form of skin reaction from wearing gloves is irritant contact eczema (dermatitis). The eczema develops on the skin under the gloves; the skin is itchy and flaky, and it may be red. Spots or bumps may also appear and in rare case blisters–this can cause extreme itchiness. Prolonged use of gloves and frequent changes of gloves, often combined with frequent exposure to soaps, are the causes of the eczema.

Allergic contact eczema

Contact eczema on the skin under gloves may be caused by additives in the rubber used for rubber gloves (rubber chemicals). Rubber chemicals are also known as thiurams and carbamates. The chemicals are added during the production of rubber gloves and are found in all products made from natural rubber. The rubber chemicals, in the form of molecules, are absorbed by the skin and lead to contact allergy. The symptoms are eczema with itchy, red, flaky skin and spots or bumps and blisters. Often, the allergic reaction appears only after prolonged exposure to the chemicals.

Allergic contact eczema

caused by rubber chemicals

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Latex allergy and eczema

Gloves made of natural rubber (latex) contain allergenic proteins (latex proteins). These proteins come from the rubber tree itself. During the production process most surplus latex proteins are wash out, but some remain. These remaining proteins can cause an anaphylactic reaction similar to that seen with pollen, animal dander and bee stings. Latex allergy is caused by antibodies in the blood reacting against the latex proteins; it is called a type 1 allergy. The symptoms of latex allergy from gloves are most often redness and an itchy, nettle-fever-like rash, which appear on the skin under the gloves within minutes of putting them on. Other allergic reactions may also be present, for example, asthma, diarrhoea, and shock. Some people with latex allergy develop only eczema-like symptoms on their hands and are unaware of any of the characteristic anaphylactic reactions. It is therefore very important that anyone with hand eczema from rubber gloves contacts a dermatologist to be tested for latex allergy.

A rubber plantation

Allergy testing for people with hand eczema caused by wearing protective gloves

A precise diagnosis can be made only through allergy testing. People with eczema from wearing gloves should be tested for both allergy to rubber chemicals and latex allergy.

Allergy to rubber chemicals is diagnosed using a patch test, also called a plaster test. An adhesive strip with small foil pockets containing the chemicals to be tested is attached to the patient’s back where it remains for 48 hours. When the adhesive strip is removed any eczema reaction where the chemical has been in contact with the skin will show that the patient is allergic to that particular chemical.

Latex allergy is diagnosed by a skin-prick test. The latex protein is diluted and a drop of this solution is placed on the skin. Then, the skin beneath the drop is pricked with a needle, and this allows a small amount of the solution into the skin. If there is a reaction on the skin after 20 minutes, latex allergy is diagnosed. Latex allergy can also be diagnosed with a blood test to find out whether the blood contains antibodies against latex protein.

Prevention of allergic reactions from wearing protective gloves

The irritant contact eczema caused by wearing protective gloves can be prevented by wearing the gloves for as little time as possible and by wearing cotton gloves underneath the protective gloves whenever the protective gloves are worn for more than 10 minutes. Using a moisturizing cream after glove use will also help to prevent irritant eczema. To prevent allergies to rubber chemicals or latex, it is best to avoid wearing protective rubber gloves if you already have hand eczema.

Hand eczema from wearing gloves can be due to either irritation or contact allergy caused by rubber chemicals or latex. The symptoms of the three conditions may appear the same; for a precise diagnosis an allergy test is needed. Although the symptoms are similar, the consequences and treatment differ.

Allergic contact eczema from wearing protective gloves can be prevented by avoiding contact with rubber. Rubber chemicals are in all products made from natural rubber as well as in some synthetic rubber materials. Rubber chemicals are not in vinyl, polythene or nylon.

Latex allergy can be prevented by avoiding contact with natural rubber (latex). It is important to know that latex proteins can be airborne and inhaling them can cause respiratory problems in people sensitive to latex. For this reason, it may be problematic to work in a room where others are using powdered latex gloves, because the powder spreads the latex. It is also important to know that severe reactions can occur if latex proteins come into contact with mucous membrane. For example, this may happen on a visit to the doctor or dentist, when using contraceptive creams, or when blowing up balloons.

Tips when using protective gloves • The gloves must be clean and intact • Make sure your hands are completely free of soap • Wear the gloves for as short as time as possible (but for as long as necessary) • Wear cotton gloves under the protective gloves whenever they are worn for more than 10 minutes • Use a moisturizing hand cream after wearing the gloves   With allergy to rubber chemicals: • Avoid wearing rubber gloves (wear vinyl gloves instead)   With latex allergy: • Avoid wearing rubber gloves (wear vinyl gloves instead) • Avoid being in areas where other people are using powdered rubber gloves