Accelerator-free gloves as alternatives in cases of glove allergy in healthcare workers

Abstract

Background: Accelerators in rubber gloves constitute an important group of contact allergens, particularly in healthcare workers.

Objectives: To assess the efficacy of accelerator-free medical gloves in the secondary prevention of allergic contact dermatitis caused by rubber accelerators in healthcare workers.

Methods: Nine healthcare workers with hand eczema were advised to use accelerator-free rubber gloves after a diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis caused by rubber accelerators.

Results: Switching from conventional medical single-use gloves containing accelerators to accelerator-free medical gloves led to improvement in all cases, and more than two-thirds of the patients were completely free of symptoms.

Conclusion: The use of accelerator-free medical gloves can be an effective alternative in healthcare workers who are allergic to rubber accelerators.

Keywords: accelerator-free gloves; allergic contact dermatitis; glove allergy; healthcare workers; prevention; rubber accelerators; thiurams.