Allergy And Glove Chemistry
Over the past few years, there has been an
increasing incidence of allergic reactions among
health care workers to latex medical gloves. Current
estimates on the prevalence of latex allergy among
health care workers range as high as 17%. This is
thought to be largely due to the institution of
universal precautions in response to the AIDS
epidemic, and the resultant dramatic increase in
glove usage. A large body of literature on this
subject has built up in the allergy, immunology, and
nursing journals, but there have been relatively few
publications in the surgical literature, so many
surgeons and surgical subspecialists remain relatively
ignorant in this area. This review will summarize the
most important findings from this literature from the
point of view of the glove user (the surgeon and
nurse). A major theme of this monograph is that a
latex glove, like all medical devices, has benefits as
well as risks. There are potential side effects from this
device, and the surgeon needs to consider these in
making his or her choice of surgical glove. I hope to
cover:
What characteristics should we look for in a glove?
What types of allergic reactions can occur?
Basic information about rubber (natural latex and
synthetic) and how gloves are made
You should understand what it is that you are putting
against your skin. It is important to consider the risk
of allergic sensitization when selecting gloves rather
than just choosing the lowest cost item available, or
simply relying on the hospital purchasing department
to make the appropriate choice for you.
them.It is estimated that 17% of the population is
allergic to the natural rubber in latex. Nitrile gloves
have the strength and flexibility of latex without the risk
of allergic reaction. We sell brand name as well as
generic Nitrile gloves and we sell them for less.
cost less! The fact is that all Nitrile gloves start out with powder. The powder helps them come off the
mold easier. Powder free Nitrile gloves are washed after coming off the mold to remove the powder. This
extra step is why they cost more than powdered Nitrile gloves.
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