Potential benefits for healthcare workers and patients from using oat extract ingredients placed in the inner layer of nitrile gloves.

Nitrile gloves are currently an essential and constantly used piece of equipment for healthcare workers, providing a protective barrier against infectious agents during patient contact. However, prolonged wearing of gloves can lead to skin problems for medical personnel [11]. Oat extract contains many ingredients with potentially beneficial effects on the skin, and incorporating them into the inner layer of nitrile gloves can offer a range of benefits for both healthcare workers and patients. 

Benefits for healthcare workers 

Healthcare workers often experience skin problems such as dryness, cracks, irritation, and itching [11]. These conditions can be caused by various factors, including: 

  • Prolonged wearing of gloves, which causes the loss of the skin's natural moisture. 
  • Contact with detergents and disinfectants. 
  • Friction and pressure from the gloves. 
  • Maceration of the skin due to occlusion. 

Ingredients in oat extract can help prevent and alleviate these skin problems: 

  • Avenanthramides are polyphenols found in oats that exhibit anti-inflammatory and anti-itch properties [1, 10]. Clinical studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of avenanthramides in alleviating itch symptoms associated with various skin conditions, such as atopic dermatitis and urticaria [10]. The mechanism of action involves inhibiting the release of inflammatory mediators, such as histamine, which contribute to itching and skin inflammation [1]. Incorporating avenanthramides into the inner layer of nitrile gloves can help reduce itching and skin irritation for healthcare workers who frequently experience these issues.
  • Beta-glucan is a polysaccharide with moisturizing, soothing, and skin-regenerating properties [8, 9]. Beta-glucan forms a protective layer on the skin, preventing moisture loss and promoting proper hydration [8]. Additionally, beta-glucan stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, which are essential for maintaining skin firmness and elasticity [9]. Incorporating beta-glucan into nitrile gloves can help prevent skin dryness and cracking, as well as support skin regeneration after minor damage.
  • Fatty acids and vitamins that nourish and protect the skin [11]. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids help maintain the skin's proper hydrolipid barrier, which protects it from drying out and irritating factors [14]. B vitamins, vitamin E, and antioxidants present in oat oil further nourish the skin and protect it from the harmful effects of free radicals [11, 13]. Incorporating these ingredients into the inner layer of nitrile gloves can help improve the overall condition of healthcare workers' hand skin.

Enhancement of the skin's antioxidant protection 

The skin of healthcare workers is exposed to various stress factors, both related to the work environment, such as disinfectants and detergents, and those affecting the general population, such as natural UV radiation, which is part of the solar light spectrum. These factors contribute to the formation of free radicals that damage skin cells and accelerate the aging process. Oat extract is rich in antioxidants, such as: 

  • Ferulic acid [2] 
  • p-Coumaric acid [2] 
  • Vitamin E [11] 

Antioxidants neutralize free radicals, protecting skin cells from damage and slowing down the aging process [5, 6, 7]. In vitro studies have shown that antioxidants from oats can protect skin cells from oxidative damage caused by UV radiation [4]. Incorporating oat extract into nitrile gloves can provide additional antioxidant protection for the hands of healthcare workers, which may help prevent premature skin aging and wrinkles. 

Supporting wound healing 

Beta-glucan found in oats has the ability to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, which are essential for wound healing [9]. Additionally, beta-glucan can also reduce inflammation and form a protective layer over the wound, shielding it from infections [9]. Clinical studies have shown that the use of beta-glucan can accelerate wound healing in individuals with various types of wounds, including patients with diabetes [9]. Incorporating beta-glucan into nitrile gloves can be beneficial for healthcare workers who often experience minor cuts or abrasions during their work. 

Benefits for patients 

In addition to benefits for medical personnel, using nitrile gloves with added oat extract can also have positive effects for patients. A significant aspect here is the increased protection against infections: beta-glucan, present in oats, exhibits antibacterial and antiviral properties. It is also important to highlight that strengthening the skin barrier can significantly reduce the risk of colonization, especially by multidrug-resistant bacteria. Therefore, not only do the direct antimicrobial properties matter, but also maintaining healthy skin can lower the risk of cross-infections transmitted through hand contact by staff with the patients' bodies or their immediate environment. 

Safety and feasibility 

Clinical and toxicological studies have shown that oat extract is safe for use on the skin [12, 18]. Oat components are well-tolerated and rarely cause adverse effects [12]. 

Thanks to advancements in glove manufacturing technology, it is possible to incorporate oat extract components into the inner layer of nitrile gloves without the risk of losing their activity.  

Conclusions 

Incorporating oat extract components into the inner layer of nitrile gloves presents a promising strategy to improve the skin health of healthcare workers and enhance patient safety. Further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of these gloves in clinical settings. 

Bibliography: 

  1. Sur, R., Nigam, A., Grote, D., Liebel, F., & Southall, M. D. (2008). Avenanthramides, Polyphenols from Oats, Exhibit Anti-inflammatory and Anti-itch Activity. Archives of Dermatological Research, 300(10), 569-574. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-008-0858-x 
  1. Collins, F. W. (1989). Oat Phenolics: Avenanthramides, Novel Substances with Antioxidant Properties. Cereal Chemistry, 66(4), 244-247. 
  1. Dimberg, L. H., Theander, O., & Lingnert, H. (1993). Avenacins and Avenanthramides in Oat Grains. Cereal Chemistry, 70(2), 157-160. 
  1. Peterson, D. M. (2001). Oat antioxidants. Journal of Cereal Science, 33(2), 115-129. [usunięto nieprawidłowy URL] 
  1. Katiyar, S. K., Ahmad, N., & Mukhtar, H. (2001). Green tea and skin. Archives of Dermatology, 136(8), 989-994. [usunięto nieprawidłowy URL] 
  1. Afaq, F., & Katiyar, S. K. (2011). Polyphenols: Skin Photoprotection and Inhibition of Photocarcinogenesis. Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 11(14), 1200–1215. [usunięto nieprawidłowy URL] 
  1. Nichols, J. A., & Katiyar, S. K. (2010). Skin photoprotection by natural polyphenols: Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and DNA repair mechanisms. Archives of Dermatological Research, 302(2), 71–83. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-009-1001-3 
  1. Pillai, R., Redmond, M., & Röding, J. (2005). Anti-Wrinkle Therapy: Significant New Findings in the Non-Invasive Cosmetic Treatment of Skin Wrinkles with Beta-Glucan. International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 27(5), 292–292. [usunięto nieprawidłowy URL] 
  1. Bashir, K. M. I., & Choi, J.-S. (2017). Clinical and Physiological Perspectives of β-Glucans: The Past, Present, and Future. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 18(9), 1906. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms18091906 
  1. Sur, R., Nigam, A., Grote, D., Liebel, F., & Southall, M. D. (2008). Avenanthramides, polyphenols from oats, exhibit anti-inflammatory and anti-itch activity. Archives of Dermatological Research, 300(10), 569–574. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-008-0858-x 
  1. Pieszka, M., Szczurek, P., & Bederska-Łojewska, D. (2017). The Use of Oils in Skin Care Products. Kosmos, 66(4), 545–553. 
  1. Becker, L. C., Bergfeld, W. F., Belsito, D. V., et al. (2009). Safety Assessment of Oat-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics. International Journal of Toxicology, 28(3_suppl), 22S-48S. https://doi.org/10.1177/1091581809337738