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What is contact dermatitis?
Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), also known as Type IV hypersensitivity, is an allergic response and is caused by skin absorption of chemicals in the product(1)(2). An allergic reaction can occur from one of the chemical additives used in the glove that are not latex proteins, such as accelerators. Signs and symptoms of the allergic reaction include a red, raised, and palpable area with bumps, sores, and/or cracks(1)(2).
Why is contact dermatitis a problem?
Surgical teams perform one of the most important jobs in the world. For clinicians experiencing irritant and allergic contact dermatitis, the symptoms are not only irritating, they can become a distraction from focusing on the task at hand. Many clinicians do not seek occupational help and just live with the discomfort as a part of the job:
Clinician Survey finds allergic reactions are widespread
A recent survey conducted amongst 555 practicing operating room surgeons and nurses revealed that one third of surgeons and nurses are suffering from harmful allergic reaction in the operating room. The survey conducted by SERMO for Mölnlycke found. (3)
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0 %of surgeons and nurses have personally experienced a skin reaction on their hands in the O.R.
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0 %of those who experienced a reaction, said the skin reaction had a negative impact on their quality of life.
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0 %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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0 %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 help avoid contact dermatitis? (4)
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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 dermatitis 5
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Avoid detergents and opt for alcohol based hand rubs to reduce skin irritation 6
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Use moisturising skincare products
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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 allergic contact dermatitis, and made using a skin friendly formula. 7
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Note: The above instructions are not substitution for medical advice.
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References
- CDC. March 3, 2016.. https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/infectioncontrol/faq/latex.htm. Accessed January 13, 2020.
- 2012 AORN Latex Guideline; Perioperative Standards and Recommended Practices.605-620. 2012.
- Global Surgeon and Nurse Survey Conducted by Sermo April 2020. Data on File
- HCWs flowchart. Occupational Dermatology Research and Education Centre, Skin & Cancer Foundation Inc.2014. http://www.occderm.asn.au/.
- American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology 2020 https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/conditions-dictionary/contact-dermatitis
- Paulson DS. Fendler EJ. Dolan MJ. Williams RA. A close look at alcohol gel as an antimicrobial sanitizing agent. Am J Infect Control 1999;27:4:332-338.
- Final Design Verification Report. Mölnlycke Health Care. Data on File.
- Mölnlycke FDA 510K Clearance K191869
- MHC Report # 1067-Evaluation of Indication with Synthetic Double Gloving 2019