Protective Effect of Both a Barrier Cream and a Polyethylene Laminate Glove Against Epoxy Resin,Glyceryl Monothioglycolate,Frullania,and Tansy

Abstract

This preliminary placebo-controlled double-blind patch test study evaluated the ability of a polyamine salt of a linoleic acid dimer (Stokogard outdoor cream; Stockhausen-Skin Protection Division, Greensboro, NC) to protect sensitized individuals from allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) to epoxy resin, glyceryl monothioglycolate (GMTG), Frullania, and Tansy. Stokogard was found to prevent ACD to Tansy in five of seven allergic volunteers after an 8-hour exposure to the allergen and in four of seven volunteers after a 48-hour exposure to Frullania. It was not convincingly effective in preventing epoxy or GMTG ACD. Additionally, a polyethylene laminate glove (4-H glove; Safety 4 Company, Lyngby, Denmark) was tested using the same format in volunteers allergic to epoxy resin and GMTG. It protected two of two volunteers sensitive to epoxy resin after both an 8-hour and a 48-hour exposure to the allergen. The 4-H glove was also effective in preventing ACD in GMTG-sensitive volunteers, protecting four of four patients after an 8-hour exposure and two of three after 48 hours.