Skin Disease & Hand Injuries Caused by Disposable Gloves

Contact dermatitis caused by cheap disposable gloves

Occupational skin disease (OSD) and injuries to the hand and upper limb (musculoskeletal disorders - MSDS) are hazards for any worker wearing disposable gloves. The hand is the most common site affected by OSD, with protective gloves being the primary cause in the majority of cases. In one study (Cahill et al., 2012) of over 2,000 patients, allergic contact dermatitis was diagnosed in more than 50% of patients with OSD, with accelerators found in disposable gloves identified as a source of dermatitis. 

 

CHEAP GLOVES INCREASE THE CHANCE OF INJURY

Poor quality raw materials used in glove manufacturing increase glove thickness and reduce flexibility, resulting in a poorly fitting glove with poor dexterity and tactile sensitivity. As a result, the glove wearer must exert stronger muscle force, which increases the risk of injury. These injuries include repetitive fatigue of the fingers, hands and arms and contact trauma on fingers and thumbs due to extreme finger-thumb force movements required when using a thick and poorly fitting glove.

Companies can experience major costs related to glove use and significant productivity losses due to injuries and OSDs. OSD is one of the most frequent causes of lost time in the food industry, resulting in unnecessary turnover (Ford, 2012). The median time away from work for repetitive motion MSDs associated with grasping, holding, carrying, or turning objects was 17 days, with estimates placing the total cost associated with work-related musculoskeletal disorders between $13 and $54 billion annually. In the meat and poultry industry alone, the cost of training and equipping a new employee ranges from $1,500 to $4,500 per employee.

 

SKIN IRRITATION & ALLERGIES

Disposable gloves can cause discomfort, particularly for workers with sensitive skin. The Mayo Clinic defines two types of skin irritation:

• Allergic contact dermatitis. This reaction is a result of the chemical additives used during the manufacturing process. The primary symptom is a skin rash, accompanied by the formation of blisters 24 to 48 hours after exposure, similar to poison ivy.

• Irritant contact dermatitis. Not an allergy, this skin irritation is caused by wearing rubber gloves or exposure to the powder inside them. Symptoms include dry, itchy, irritated areas, usually on the hands.

There are several reasons why disposable gloves cause skin irritation.

1. Glove Raw Materials
   

   The quality of glove ingredients is directly proportional to the likelihood that the glove will cause skin irritation for the wearer. Higher-quality raw materials significantly reduce the occurrence of skin allergies and associated with disposable gloves. Unreliable manufacturers save money by adding cheaper chemicals and ingredients to the glove raw material "recipe". Gloves made with these fillers are more likely to cause skin irritation and can pose a toxic risk to the wearer. Cheaply made gloves also increase failure rates, causing them to rip frequently. 
   
   

2. Manufacturing Processes
   

   While a disposable glove is being manufactured, trustworthy factories take several steps to reduce the risk of skin irritation. 
   
   It boils down, no pun intended, to the cleanliness of the water used. Glove production is a water-intensive process. If the water used in wash and leaching tanks is contaminated or not sufficiently heated, chemicals and other irritants can remain, contaminating the gloves and increasing the risk that they will irritate the wearer's skin. Watch this video to see the critical control points (CCP) of the glove manufacturing process and understand where these risks of glove contamination can occur.
   
   

3. Heat & Moisture
   

   Skin irritation can be caused by the warm, damp environment created by wearing disposable gloves, a condition known as contact urticaria, which is triggered by hand perspiration and inadequate ventilation inside the glove. Some workers have a higher tendency to sweat, which increases the risk. Wearing a glove made with higher-quality materials and manufacturing processes can help reduce hand perspiration. Changing gloves regularly can also help alleviate this issue. 
   
   

4. Powdered Gloves
   

   Originally, gloves were powdered to make them easier to put on (don) and take off (doff), absorbing sweat and reducing the risk of damaging the glove. Powdered gloves typically contain cornstarch powder, but this can be replaced with less expensive materials, allowing manufacturers to save money. 
   
   Research has shown that the powder can absorb latex particles, predisposing people to latex glove allergies. In 2016, the FDA proposed a ban on most powdered medical gloves. “Although powdered synthetic gloves do not present the risk of allergic reactions, these devices are associated with an extensive list of potentially serious adverse events, including severe airway inflammation, wound inflammation, and post-surgical adhesions, which are bands of fibrous scar tissue that form between internal organs and tissues.”
   
   At Eagle Protect, we do not sell powdered disposable gloves. We firmly believe that a high-quality glove’s performance will be more than adequate and that powdered gloves introduce unnecessary risk to the wearer and the patient or product being handled.
   
   

5. Latex
   

   The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology states, “Allergic skin problems can occur following direct contact with allergic latex proteins in latex glove products. Symptoms may include immediate itching, redness and swelling of the skin that touched the item containing latex.”
   
   When you have a latex allergy and are exposed, antibodies tell your immune system to release chemicals, such as histamine, into your bloodstream, causing allergy symptoms. Through a process called sensitisation, the more you are exposed to latex, the stronger your immune system is likely to respond. Read Skin & Health Magazine's article on how to prevent (latex and vinyl) glove allergies. 

 

EFFECTS OF POORLY FITTING GLOVES 

Poor fit also leads to reduced dexterity, increasing the likelihood of mistakes and safety hazards. Gloves that are too tight or too loose can hinder tasks requiring precision, impacting both safety and productivity. Conversely, well-fitting gloves enable workers to operate with confidence, reduce absenteeism, and enhance morale. Studies have found that PPE and glove safety programs can yield paybacks ranging from 2:1 to 10:1 for every dollar invested.

 

PREVENTION & BEST PRACTICES

A few easy ways to reduce skin irritation caused by gloves are:

1. Choose high-quality gloves with known raw materials and proper manufacturing standards
   
2. Avoid using gloves on wet hands or using wet gloves
   
3. Use powder-free gloves
   
4. Wash hands after glove removal with mild soap and dry thoroughly
   
5. Do not use oil-based creams and lotions while using latex gloves
   
6. Ensure gloves fit snugly without restricting movement
   
7. Where appropriate, use nitrile or poly gloves instead of vinyl

 

THE SOLUTION

Implementing proper glove policies and providing quality gloves increases productivity, job satisfaction, and morale while reducing the risk of OSD and MSDS.

QUALITY GLOVES IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY, JOB SATISFACTION AND MORALE

For workers prone to allergies or prolonged glove use, accelerator-free nitrile gloves are recommended. Eagle Protect’s Sensitive Nitrile gloves use LOW-DERMA™ technology, reducing the risk of Type I (latex protein) and Type IV (chemical accelerator) hypersensitivities, ensuring comfort and protection for sensitive skin.

 

New formulation gloves can also be made thinner, stronger and more flexible, and, in some cases, have been described as a second skin. The muscle force required in this situation is equal to that without a glove. Eagle Protect’s FineTOUGH Nitrile gloves are one such product that has unparalleled dexterity and strength—popular in the dental & healthcare industries.

Both of these gloves are also part of our multi-layered Delta Zero™ proprietary glove testing program, which ensures that they adhere to the highest level of consistent glove safety and performance, thereby mitigating the risk of contamination or changes in raw materials during manufacturing.

 

Eagle’s entire range of personal protective equipment (PPE) is manufactured with our industry-leading Eagle Standard, ensuring quality, safety, consistency and transparency. Find out how the Eagle Standard directly benefits our customers.

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References:

Burnett CA, Lushniak BD, McCarthy W, Kaufman, J. Occupational Dermatitis Causing Days Away From Work in U.S. Private Industry, 1993. American Journal of Industrial Medicine 34:568-73

Bauer A, Kelterer D, Stadeler M, Schneider W, Kleesz P, Elsner P. 2000. The Occupational Skin Disease Prevention Project in the Food Processing Industry. 11th Annual Meeting of the American Dermatitis Society, held on March 9, 2000, in San Francisco, CA.

Cahill J, Williams JDL, Matheson MC, Palmer AM, Burgess JA, Dharmage SC, Nixon RL. 2012. Occupational Contact Dermatitis: A review of 18 years of data from an occupational dermatology clinic in Australia. Report for Safe Work Australia, March 2012.

Courtney TK, & Clancy EA. 1998. A Descriptive Study of U.S. OSHA Penalties and Inspection Frequency for Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Workplace. American Industrial Hygiene Assn. Journal. 59:563-71.

Ford S. 2012. Skin problems in food handlers and the catering industry. DermNet New Zealand.

Morris R. 2011. Productivity: Small Changes Can Lead to Large Gains. Occupational Health & Safety. April.