NITRAS SAFETY | Dermatest®

WHEN PROTECTIVE GLOVES BECOME A SECOND SKIN

Protective gloves are an essential part of everyday equipment in many working environments. They protect hands against a variety of hazards and are often worn for extended periods. Alongside the required protective properties, wearing comfort, material properties and skin compatibility therefore play an important role.

After all, glove materials are in direct contact with the skin during wear. To assess how well they are tolerated, products can undergo dermatological testing. One well-known certification mark in this field is the Dermatest® seal.

Selected NITRAS protective gloves also carry this seal and have been tested for skin compatibility.

But what exactly does the Dermatest® seal mean, how does the testing process work and what should you consider when choosing skin-compatible protective gloves?

WHAT DOES THE DERMATEST® SEAL MEAN?

Dermatest® is an independent dermatological testing institute that examines the skin compatibility of various products. Under defined test conditions, it assesses how the skin reacts to contact with a product or material.

The Dermatest® seal identifies products whose skin compatibility has been assessed through dermatological testing. The scope of the examination and the requirements may vary depending on the test method used.

What aspects are generally assessed?

+ Skin compatibility: How does the skin react to contact with the tested product?

+ Potential skin reactions: Do reactions such as redness or irritation occur during testing?

+ Dermatological assessment: How are the observed skin reactions evaluated by dermatological experts?

The seal therefore provides additional guidance when assessing product properties.

Important: Dermatologically tested skin compatibility does not mean that individual skin reactions or intolerances can be completely ruled out.

SKIN COMPATIBILITY AS AN ADDITIONAL SELECTION CRITERION

When selecting protective gloves, the required protective properties are the primary consideration. Depending on the task, characteristics such as cut resistance, abrasion resistance or antistatic properties may be particularly important. However, skin compatibility should also be taken into account – especially when protective gloves are worn for extended periods.

Dermatological testing provides additional information about how well a product is tolerated during direct skin contact. The Dermatest® seal can therefore offer useful guidance when selecting suitable products.

Several properties should be considered together:

+ Protective function: Does the glove meet the requirements of the intended task?

+ Material properties: Which materials come into contact with the skin?

+ Wearing comfort and fit: Does the glove fit comfortably and allow the necessary dexterity?

+ Skin compatibility: Has the product undergone dermatological testing?

The Dermatest® seal therefore complements the assessment of protective properties but does not replace any of the required tests or certifications. What matters is that the protective glove is suitable for both the hazards involved and the requirements of the intended application.

MORE THAN JUST PROTECTION

A suitable protective glove must combine a range of different properties. Alongside protection against the relevant hazards, fit, material properties and wearing comfort also play an important role.

Dermatologically tested skin compatibility provides an additional quality feature. It offers information about how well a product is tolerated under defined test conditions and can help when selecting suitable protective gloves.

However, the combination of all relevant properties remains essential. Only by considering the protective function, wearing comfort and the requirements of the respective task can a suitable protective glove be selected.