Distribution of Skin Hydration on the Hand while Wearing Latex Gloves and Inner Gloves

This study investigated the effects of wearing latex gloves with inner gloves on the skin hydration of the hands. Fifteen young males participated in the following three conditions: bare hand (BH), latex glove (LG), and latex glove with inner glove condition (LGIG) at an air temperature of 28 o C with 50%RH. Subjects typed a book for 120 min. The results were as follows. Skin hydration was greater for LG and LGIG than BH (p<.001), but no difference was found between LG and LGIG. Skin hydration showed greater values on the thenar and dorsum compared to the palm for both LG and LGIG (p<.05). Skin hydration on the thenar increased during the typing for LG and LGIG, but on the dorsum, palm and finger maintained after 40 min typing. There were positive relationships between hand skin hydration and hand temperature (p<.05). Subjects indicated much warmer and more humid for the LG and LGIG compared to the BH (p<.001), but no differences were found between LG and LGIG. In conclusion, wearing inner gloves inside latex gloves did not induce a reduction of skin hydration and hand temperature; however, significant differences were found in all measurements between bare hands and gloved hands.