Hand Dermatitis: What’s it to YOU?

Hand dermatitis is an inflammatory condition that is characterized by redness, itching and even oozing lesions. It can be chronic or acute, immediate or delayed. Its most common name is eczema. Healthcare workers, especially those in the dental office are at high risk due to the frequent and prolonged usage of medical gloves. Not only can contact dermatitis to medical gloves be very uncomfortable and painful, it can also be susceptible to a secondary bacterial and fungal infection!

Certain gloves have materials that can cause an immediate and acute reaction that is characterized by hives (urticaria). A common example is a latex allergy. The healthcare worker, or glove wearer, is not the only one who can have a latex allergy. Patients can be subject to these types of allergies as well.

Other examples that can cause dermatitis are accelerators, fillers and a compound called diethylthiourea, which is found in neoprene. Something else that we all have and can be a direct cause of hand dermatitis—sweat! Sweaty hands beneath our gloves can not only be an irritant to hand dermatitis, it can also aggravate existing dermatitis.

Being aware of the potential allergens and body reactions is important for one to narrow down the cause of the irritant in order to choose the best glove. We can’t stop wearing gloves! But what we can do is choose the BEST! At Supermax Aurelia, we believe in only the best. Which is why we want you to have the peace of mind that your best interests are at hand.

Here are a couple tips from our team to keep you hands healthy while performing your work (insert link when online) as well as an article comparing hand sanitizer vs. hand washing routines. Now, if you’re looking to find the best glove for YOU, check out how to choose the glove that will best fit your needs, and get some info about the different types of gloves available!

By: Monica Morgan, R.D.H.