46 Barrier Creams
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435 46 Barrier Creams Hongbo Zhai, Howard I. Maibach Contents BCs are also called skin protective creams (SPCs) or protective creams (PCs), as well as protective oint- 46.1 Introduction . 435 ments, invisible glove, barrier, protective or prework 46.2 Definition and Terms . 435 creams and/or gels (lotions), antisolvent gels, and so 46.3 Reasons for Using Barrier Creams . 435 on [1, 9, 18–20]. Frosch et al. [1] consider “skin pro- 46.4 Mechanism of Action and Duration . 436 tective creams” a more appropriate term, since most 46.5 Application Methods and Efficacy . 436 creams do not provide a real barrier, at least not com- 46.6 US Food and Drug Administration parable to stratum corneum. BCs may share charac- Monograph Skin Protectants . 436 46.7 Conclusion . 436 teristics with moisturizers. The target of BCs is in the References . 437 prevention of external noxious substances penetrat- ing the skin, and moisturizers are frequently used for dry skin conditions as well as to maintain healthy skin [21]. 46.1 Introduction Many occupations, such as farmers, forest firefighters, 46.3 Reasons for outdoor workers, hospital workers, and even house- Using Barrier Creams wives may encounter various potential irritants or al- lergens (e.g.,, detergents and poison oak or ivy). Due Occupational contact dermatitis is the most common to exposure to these annoying substances, skin bar- work-related injury involving millions of workers rier function may be damaged. Consequently, irritant worldwide. Avoidance of these irritants or allergens contact dermatitis (ICD) and allergic contact derma- may not be practical for persons whose occupation titis (ACD) may develop. In order to reduce the risk or activities mandate their working in certain envi- of developing ICD and ACD, prophylactic measures ronments. Certain gloves provide protective effects are indicated. Application of barrier creams (BCs) be- for corrosive agents (acids, alkalis, etc.) [4, 22–24]. fore or during work may play an important role in the Protective clothing as well as other personal devices prevention of occupational contact dermatitis. also play a critical role as an important measure in Their efficacy has been widely investigated by industries [25, 26]. However, protective clothing may in vitro and in vivo studies [1–7]. However, their trap moisture and occlude potentially damaging sub- actual benefit remains sub judis in clinical trials stances next to the skin for prolonged periods and [1, 2, 4, 8–14]. Some reports indicate that the inap- increase the likelihood that dermatitis will develop propriate BC application may exacerbate rather than [25, 26]. In practice, BCs are recommended only for ameliorate effects [1, 2, 8–12, 15, 16]. low-grade irritants (water, detergents, organic sol- vents, cutting oils) [4, 10, 16]. The first line of defense against hand eczema is to wear gloves, but in many 46.2 Definition and Terms professions it is impossible to wear gloves because of the loss of dexterity. In some instances, an alternative BCs are designed to prevent or reduce the penetra- would be to utilize BCs. They are also used to pro- tion and absorption of various hazardous materials tect the face and neck against chemical and resinous into the skin, preventing skin lesions and/or other dust and vapors [27]. Many prefer to use BCs rather toxic effects from dermal exposure [1–3, 16, 17]. than gloves because they do not want the hand con- 436 Hongbo Zhai, Howard I. Maibach tinuously sealed inside a glove, which can inhibit skin In vivo and in vitro methods have been developed barrier function [4]. In addition, many gloves do not to evaluate the efficacy of BCs. Recently, Frosch et al. resist the penetration of low-molecular-weight chem- have extensively reviewed their efficacy [1–3, 5–7]. icals. Some allergens are soluble in rubber gloves and may penetrate the gloves and produce severe derma- titis [4, 25, 28]. Allergy to rubber latex has become a 46.6 US Food and Drug growing problem [4, 28]. Furthermore, due to con- Administration Monograph tinuous glove wearing, workers can develop serious Skin Protectants symptoms as part of the contact urticaria syndrome, including generalized urticaria, conjunctivitis, rhi- The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) identi- nitis, and asthma, etc. [4, 29] (see Chap. 7 “Contact fied 13 skin protectants for over-the-counter (OTC) Urticaria” for further details). products [36]. These ingredients and concentrations are listed in Table 1. In addition, an OTC lotion (containing quater- 46.4 Mechanism of nium-18 bentonite) against poison ivy, oak, or sumac Action and Duration has been approved by the FDA. There is minimal information on barrier creams’ Table 1. US Food and Drug Administration identified 13 skin mechanisms of action. The frequently quoted general protectants and their concentrations rule is that water in oil (W/O) emulsions are effective Ingredients Concentrations against aqueous solutions of irritants and oil in water (O/W) emulsions are effective against lipophilic ma- terials [1, 2, 25 26]; some studies have demonstrated Allantoin 0.5%–2% exceptions [11, 30]. BCs may contain active ingredi- Aluminum hydroxide gel 0.15%–5% ents that are presumed to work by trapping or trans- Calamine 1%–25% forming allergens or irritants [2, 30]. Most believe Cocoa butter 50%–100% they interfere with absorption and penetration of the allergen or irritants by physical blocking – forming a Dimethicone 1%–30% thin film that protects the skin [2, 17, 30, 31]. Glycerin 20%–45% In order to avoid frequent interruptions for reap- Kaolin 4%–20% plication, BCs are expected to remain effective for Petrolatum 30%–100% 3–4 h. Most manufacturers claim that their products last around 4 h. Others recommend use “as often as Shark liver oil 3% necessary” [26]. Several studies document duration White petrolatum 30%–100% of action – with varying results [16, 22, 32, 33]. Zinc acetate 0.1%–2% Zinc carbonate 0.2%–2% 46.5 Application Methods Zinc oxide 1%–25% and Efficacy 46.7 Conclusion The effectiveness of BCs may be influenced by appli- cation methods [34, 35]. A study has been conducted The efficacy of BCs in preventing or reducing ICD to determine which areas of the hands were likely to and ACD has been well documented in many ex- be skipped on self-application of a BC using a fluores- perimental environments. Obviously, BCs may in- cence technique at the workplace [35]. Results showed hibit low-grade irritants, but should not be used as the application of BCs was incomplete, especially on a primary protection against high-risk substances or the dorsal aspects of the hands. Most manufacturers corrosive agents. However, inappropriate BC appli- suggest rubbing thoroughly onto the skin, paying spe- cation may exacerbate irritation rather than provide cial attention to cuticles and skin under nails, letting benefit. In particular, using BCs on diseased skin may the cream dry for approximately 5 min, applying a lead to increased skin irritation [2, 25]. People utiliz- thin layer of BC to all appropriate skin surfaces three ing water, soaps, and detergents daily may benefit by to four 4 times daily. We believe these suggestions are applying BCs frequently. Furthermore, BCs may also important for BC efficacy. shield skin from chemicals, oils, and other substances 46 Barrier Creams 437 and to make them easier to clean at the end of the 10. Frosch PJ, Schulze-Dirks A, Hoffmann M, Axthelm I, workday [26]. To achieve optimal protective effects, Kurte A. Efficacy of skin barrier creams. (I). The repetitive BCs should be used with careful consideration of irritation test (RIT) in the guinea pig. Contact Dermatitis the types of substances they are designed to protect 1993; 28:94–100 against based on specific exposure conditions; also, 11. Frosch PJ, Schulze-Dirks A, Hoffmann M, Axthelm I. Ef- the proper use of BCs should be taught [35, 37]. ficacy of skin barrier creams. (II). Ineffectiveness of a The ideal BCs should be nontoxic, noncomedo- popular “skin protector” against various irritants in the re- genic, nonirritating, nongreasy, and colorless. They petitive irritation test in the guinea pig. Contact Dermatitis should be highly efficacious, but not interfere with 1993; 29:74–77 user’s manual dexterity or sensitivity. They should 12. Frosch PJ, Kurte A, Pilz B. Efficacy of skin barrier creams. be easy to apply and remove, cosmetically acceptable, (III). The repetitive irritation test (RIT) in humans. Con- tact Dermatitis 1993; 29:113–118 and economical. They may be combined with cos- 13. Goh CL, Gan SL. Efficacies of a barrier cream and an af- metic benefits, and contain a high proportion of fatty terwork emollient cream against cutting fluid dermatitis materials (lipids) and can, therefore, also be used for in metalworkers: a prospective study. Contact Dermatitis skin care, specially for rough, dry, or chapped skin. 1994; 31:176–180 Furthermore, the mechanisms of BCs’ action should 14. Treffel P, Gabard B. Bioengineering measurements of bar- be further investigated when evaluating their efficacy. rier creams efficacy against toluene and NaOH in an in vivo single irritation test. Skin Res Technol 1996; 2:83–87 15. Treffel P, Gabard B, Juch R. Evaluation of barrier creams: References an in vitro technique on human skin. Acta Derm Venereol 1994; 74:7–11 1. Frosch PJ, Kurte A, Pilz B. Biophysical techniques for the 16. Zhai H, Maibach HI. Effect of barrier creams: human skin evaluation of skin protective creams. In: Frosch PJ, Klig- in vivo. Contact Dermatitis 1996; 35:92–96 man AM (eds) Noninvasive methods for the quantification 17. Orchard S. Barrier creams. Dermatol Clin 1984; 2:619– of skin functions. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, 629 1993; pp 214–222 18. Guillemin M, Murset JC, Lob M, Riquez J.