The effect of nitrile gloves on temperature perception during hot water immersion

Abstract

Introduction: Scalds account for 40 % of burn injuries in developed countries, with a subset occurring during caregiving activities, particularly when gloves are worn. Gloves, a standard precaution against infection and body fluid exposure, may impair sensory feedback critical for detecting temperature changes, potentially increasing the risk of burns during personal care tasks.

Methods: This study investigated the impact of glove use on heat perception. Twelve healthy participants (6 male, 6 female) immersed their index fingers in water baths set at 40°C, 45°C, 50°C, 55°C, and 60°C. Heat perception thresholds were assessed under three conditions: no gloves, single gloves, and double gloves. Participants withdrew their fingers upon feeling discomfort, and the withdrawal temperatures were recorded.

Results: Our trial showed that gloves significantly delayed heat discomfort detection, with the longest delays observed at 50°C and 55°C when double gloves were worn. Wearing a single glove raised the discomfort threshold by approximately 5°C, while double gloves increased it by 10°C. This logarithmic relationship between temperature and perception delay indicates a substantial sensory alteration, especially at higher temperatures.

Conclusion: The findings underscore the heightened risk of scald injuries in vulnerable individuals due to delayed heat detection caused by gloves. Awareness of altered temperature thresholds during glove use is essential to prevent burns during caregiving tasks, particularly in activities requiring precise temperature assessment, such as bathing or showering. Enhanced education and preventive measures are crucial for ensuring safety in these contexts.

Keywords: Burn injury threshold; Logarithmic time-temperature; Scald prevention; Time-to-burn.