Comparison of Low Dermatitis Potential of a Powder-free “Accelerator-free” Synthetic Neoprene with Natural Rubber Latex Glove Using Modified Draize Test

Abstract Introduction: Glove-related dermatitis and latex sensitivity are becoming more prevalent as the health care industry’s need for protective rubber gloves increases. Neoprene gloves have emerged as a safer alternative to traditional natural rubber latex (NRL) gloves for surgical and examination purposes, in reducing the risk of Type I allergy and Type IV allergy. Aims: The study objective is to compare the dermatitis potential of powder-free neoprene gloves with that of NRL gloves by determining whether there is presence or absence of residual chemical additives at the level that may induce Type IV allergy in unsensitised general users. Materials and Methods: Two sets of accelerator free sterile powder-free synthetic neoprene (SN) surgical gloves, (GAMMEX®)*, green and natural colour were tested using the Modified Draize-95 test. Filter paper and Powder-Free NRL glove were used as control. Results: A total of 211 subjects completed the study; 160 of them were Caucasian (76%), 30 were Afro-Caribbean (14%) and 21 were Asian (10%). Both sets of neoprene gloves, green and natural colour, and their control, powder-free NRL examination glove and the filter paper had final patch testing score of not more than 1.5 during the challenge phases. Conclusions: The skin sensitisation test of sterile powder-free SN surgical gloves, green and natural colour and the powder-Free NRL examination gloves were negative indicating no clinical evidence of the presence of residual chemical additives at the level that may induce Type IV allergy in the unsensitised general user population. Both types of gloves qualify as ‘Low Dermatitis Potential’.