Contact dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin resulting from direct contact of a substance with the surface of the skin¹.
What is contact dermatitis?
There are two types of contact dermatitis. Irritant contact dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis. The symptoms can be itching, pain, rashes, bumps, burning skin and blisters1.
The most common form of contact dermatitis is Irritant Contact Dermatitis (ICD), which is caused when substances such as solvents or other chemicals irritate the skin. The exposure produces red patches on the affected skin areas, which are often more painful than itchy1.
Why is contact dermatitis a problem?
A recent survey of 550 practicing operating theatre surgeons and nurses showed2:
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31%
of surgeons and nurses have personally experienced a skin reaction on their hands in the operating theatre.
-
34%
of those who experienced a reaction said the skin reaction had a negative impact on their quality of life.
-
16.2%
of those who experienced a reaction reported they had been distracted from their work due to a skin reaction to surgical gloves.
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20%
Nearly 20% of those who had experienced a reaction had to change gloves during an operation (due to a reaction).
What can be done to avoid contact dermatitis?
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Approach your occupational health team for an assessment of your reaction*.
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Do not don gloves with wet hands. Water is a potential irritant. Frequent exposure causes swelling and shrinking of skin and can lead to dermatitis3.
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Avoid detergents and opt for alcohol based hand rubs to reduce skin irritation.
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Use moisturising skincare products that contain emollients.
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Wear gloves that do not contain chemical accelerators that are known to cause contact dermatitis. Biogel PI UltraTouch S is designed to reduce the risk of contact dermatitis and is made using a skin-friendly formula4.
-
.
Download & learn how to manage contact dermatitis
Biogel® PI UltraTouch® S Indicator® System
- The same comfortable fit and precise feeling Biogel® surgical gloves are known for5,6,7
- Designed to reduce the risk of contact dermatitis and made using a skin-friendly formula4
- Best-in-class breach indication8,9 to ensure breaches are spotted quickly
- FDA cleared to reduce the potential for sensitising users to rubber chemical additives10
Order a free sample of Biogel® PI UltraTouch® S Indicator® System
-
References
- American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology 2019. https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/conditions-dictionary/contact-dermatitis.
- Survey conducted by SERMO. 550 actively practicing UK, US, Swedish and Japanese surgeons and OR nurses responded to a survey on allergic reactions in the operating theatre. Dec 2019.
- Behroozy A. Wet-work Exposure: A Main Risk Factor for Occupational Hand Dermatitis. SAF Health Work 2014.
- Final Design Verification Report. Mölnlycke Health Care. Data on File.
- Collins J. A Clinical Evaluation of Polyisoprene Biogel Orthopaedic Surgical Gloves. Design Validation DP36_/3.6.1, Mölnlycke Health Care 2011.
- Collins J. A Clinical Investigation to Evaluate the Biogel PI Micro Surgical Glove to Ensure Performance as Intended. Clinical Investigation Report, Mölnlycke Health Care 2014.
- Testing of PI UltraTouch S. Simulated surgery product evaluation. Mölnlycke Health Care 2019. Data on file.
- Wigmore SJ & Rainey JB. Use of coloured undergloves to detect puncture. BJS 1994: 81:1480. https://doi.org/10.1002/bjs.1800811026
- MHC Report, Glove puncture detection systems, GMCS-2017-098. Data on file.
- FDA clearance information K191869
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