User Feedback and Effects of Colloidal Oatmeal Coated Gloves Compared with Standard Nitrile Examination Gloves Among Health Care Workers.

Introduction

Gloves are a vital component of protective personal equipment for health care workers (HCWs), but prolonged use can contribute to hand dermatitis. Colloidal oatmeal coated (COC) nitrile gloves with moisturizing and anti-pruritic properties have been introduced in health care settings in recent years. This is the first formal evaluation of their use in comparison to standard nitrile examination (SNE) gloves.

Objective

To evaluate the effects on skin barrier and acceptance of COC nitrile gloves in comparison to SNE gloves in HCWs.

Methods

HCWs from inpatient wards at a tertiary hospital were invited to participate, with wards randomly assigned to using only COC or SNE gloves for the study duration. Demographic data and photographs of participants' hands were collected before and after the study. Participants completed a post-intervention structured questionnaire exploring their experience with the gloves. The photographs were assessed for hand dermatitis using the hand eczema severity index score.

Results

COC gloves were shown to have higher acceptance and more positive effects on participants' skin barrier. COC glove wearers recorded higher satisfaction on various questionnaire items.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates high participant satisfaction and acceptance of COC gloves compared with SNE gloves in areas such as comfort, skin hydration, and smoothness. A longer study duration and larger sample size could further assess the clinical impacts on hand dermatitis.