Understanding and Preventing Contact Dermatitis on the Job

Contamination is the most common cause of contact dermatitis and is often found in work environments with airborne debris or chemical exposure. Contaminants like oils, solvents, metal shavings, grease, acids, etc. can soak through PPE materials and onto a worker’s skin. And contaminants plus sweat add up to a whole lot of irritation.

Moisture and contact dermatitis go hand in hand. Moisture-saturated skin breaks easily and the friction between PPE materials and broken skin makes itchiness and rash much more likely.

Cut-resistant materials that are made with fiberglass or steel can deteriorate over time. Fragments in the material may cause irritation for workers with especially sensitive skin. Heavyweight, tight-fitting materials also cause friction against the skin and trap heat, which leads to sweating (see sweating!).

• Have workers wash their hands and arms regularly.
• Launder gloves and sleeves more often.
• Try barrier creams.

• Find a material that wicks moisture away from the skin.
• Avoid highly absorbent materials that keep sweat close to the skin, making the problem worse.
• Choose a fiber blend like HPPE or Hyperon® that feels cool to the touch and minimizes sweating.
• Choose a glove or sleeve material that is lightweight and doesn’t hold heat.

Choose a cut-resistant material made with coreless technology. New material blends are now available with all the cut protection of traditional gloves and sleeves that won't irritate sensitive skin.

DX+ Technology®, the latest coreless technology from Magid, has allowed us to offer gloves with cut protection up to ANSI Level A5 and A6. These materials achieve high levels of cut resistance by using yarn that's infused with strength-enhancing microparticles instead of a traditional core. That means the gloves are 30% lighter than comparable gloves of the same cut level without sacrificing dexterity.

DX Technology® coreless cut resistant sleeves from Magid are 20% lighter than similar sleeves and are cool to the touch and non-irritating, too. Available up to ANSI Cut Level A4, these sleeves help resist abraisions and punctures while still feeling comfortable throughout your workers' shift.