Protection of the skin against contact irritants is a continuing problem in dermatology. Recently, the increased use of synthesized materials in industry and the home, such as the new detergents, has produced a significant rise in the number of patients with dermatoses of the hands.
Dermatoses caused or aggravated by contact with environmental agents are often associated with necessary daily activities, either on the job or at home. The worker must remain on the job, and the housewife must perform her daily tasks of laundry and dishwashing.
To prevent cutaneous eruptions caused by contact irritants, a number of barrier ointments have been developed to provide a layer of materials on the skin which will repel noxious substances. These ointments are used both prophylactically, to prevent drying and maceration of the skin, and therapeutically, to permit healing while the daily work is being