Allergic to powder in latex gloves...

[Mastashake]

So everytime I put on sterile latex gloves my hands turn bright red and swell up.

I know this is dumb, but is this something that may cause a problem if I were to go to med school?

Mastashake

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[VPDcurt]

So everytime I put on sterile latex gloves my hands turn bright red and swell up.

I know this is dumb, but is this something that may cause a problem if I were to go to med school?

Mastashake

Nah - it's a relatively common problem. They have latex-free gloves.

 

[Medinsane]

No, there are gloves that are latex free, so don't worry you can still be a doc 🙂

 

[naimist]

Latex allergies aren't all that uncommon. Most hospitals use nitrile (i.e. non-latex) gloves now so you should be fine.

 

[dajimmers]

No, its people like you that make them stock those stupid Nitrile gloves. I hate them, latex is so much better. But no one is allergic to Nitrile...

Usually they are fluorescent (green, pink, organge), but I've also seen clear.

On a slightly different topic, do they make nitrile condoms?

 

[Mastashake]

I can wear latex gloves, it's just the "sterile powder coated" ones that make my hands hurt and turn bright red.

I know they have other kinds of material, but the fact that the sterile powder does this makes me wonder if there's some way to get around that.

Mastashake

 

[naimist]

No, its people like you that make them stock those stupid Nitrile gloves. I hate them, latex is so much better. But no one is allergic to Nitrile...

Usually they are fluorescent (green, pink, organge), but I've also seen clear.

On a slightly different topic, do they make nitrile condoms?

Yuck all I've seen are the ugly purple ones. Funny thing is that my best friend is allergic to nitrile. Her PI in the lab was allergic to latex. They had to compromise by using vinyl gloves.

 

[naimist]

I can wear latex gloves, it's just the "sterile powder coated" ones that make my hands hurt and turn bright red.

I know they have other kinds of material, but the fact that the sterile powder does this makes me wonder if there's some way to get around that.

Mastashake

Try powder-free latex gloves then? 😉

 

[Mastashake]

Try powder-free latex gloves then? 😉

Okay, so it isn't required for them to be the medical grade sterile-powdered?

Mastashake

 

[maroonedNnola]

Yuck all I've seen are the ugly purple ones. Funny thing is that my best friend is allergic to nitrile. Her PI in the lab was allergic to latex. They had to compromise by using vinyl gloves.

Vinyl gloves suck. You can't get ones that fit snugly on and they are just hot as hell. Nitrile suck b/c they aren't as pliable as latex and seem to dry out and tear more easily than latex. I had to double glove today b/c i was working with the HIV virus. Would never have gotten on two pair of nitrile or vinyl.

 

[naimist]

I thought the powder in the gloves was just to facilitate putting them on and taking them off?

 

[Mastashake]

I thought the powder in the gloves was just to facilitate putting them on and taking them off?

It may be, but I know that regular latex gloves are fine, but whenever I wear ones which say they're medical grade and powdered.

I don't know... 🙁

Mastashake

 

[Scrub MD]

When I was watching some orthopedic surgeries last Friday, all the sterile gloves were powder-free(it was on the sealed package).

 

[beanbean]

Most hospitals don't use powdered gloves. Nitrile is the most common glove used, not just for the staff...plenty of patients are allergic to latex. Some sterile surgical gloves are latex, but they are not powdered. You shouldn't have a problem.

 

[BaylorGuy]

At least you found out that you have an allergic reaction to latex through gloves. One of my female friends found out the hard way...i didnt ask for specifics, but i was told it was rather uncomfortable

 

[Mastashake]

Thanks guys, sorry for the runaround...

It's wierd how some latex bothers me and some doesn't

Mastashake

 

[b16]

Thanks guys, sorry for the runaround...

It's wierd how some latex bothers me and some doesn't

Mastashake

There is a glove rep out there who is dying to talk to you.

 

[Mastashake]

There is a glove rep out there who is dying to talk to you.

Hmm, maybe that is my calling. I should go to glove school!

Mastashake

 

[riceman04]

So everytime I put on sterile latex gloves my hands turn bright red and swell up.

I know this is dumb, but is this something that may cause a problem if I were to go to med school?

Mastashake

nope, you can use nitrile (but I dont think those are as flexible as the latex ones

 

[MollyMalone]

Lots of people are allergic to the powder. Non-powdered sterile latex gloves are available (one of our surgeons uses them exclusively), as are the other options mentioned above.

 

[sunnyjohn]

Those powdered gloves are reported to cause adhesions. Lots of hospitals won't use them in surgery.

Try the Biogels. They are wonderful.

 

[criminallyinane]

Okay, so it isn't required for them to be the medical grade sterile-powdered?

Mastashake

in surgery, of course, they have to be sterile gloves, but they don't have to be latex if you're allergic, I imagine. My school even sent us all a letter asking us to contact them if we're allergic to latex so they can order special gloves for us 😍 I heart Pitt.

 

[tigress]

My husband is allergic to latex and so far so good. For gross anatomy they bought their own gloves, so he just got nitrile. I think nitrile are a bit more expensive, but not prohibitively so. The hospital systems are almost all officially latex-free, but in my experience research labs rarely use nitrile and you have to request them specifically. Actually, interestingly enough, the only place my husband had a problem any time recently was with the Red Cross when he wanted to donate blood! They only had latex equipment and gloves, but thankfully it was in the school so he ran up to the gross lockers and got some of his nitrile gloves for the phlebotomists to use!

p.s. to a previous poster: I have read that there are latex-free condoms but I've never seen them. I think you probably have to special order them or go to a store specializing in..er...such things 😉

 

[americanangel]

I'm very allergic to latex!! I actually found out years ago when I was helping my mom decorate a party...She was making balloon arches and since all the balloons were latex, it was all down hill!!! My mom is also allergic to latex so I guess it runs in the family! I'm working at a lab this summer and they still haven't purchased latex free gloves so I haven't gotten a chance to try anything!!! The hospital is great though, since everything is nitrile!

 

[BaylorGuy]

My husband is allergic to latex and so far so good. For gross anatomy they bought their own gloves, so he just got nitrile. I think nitrile are a bit more expensive, but not prohibitively so. The hospital systems are almost all officially latex-free, but in my experience research labs rarely use nitrile and you have to request them specifically. Actually, interestingly enough, the only place my husband had a problem any time recently was with the Red Cross when he wanted to donate blood! They only had latex equipment and gloves, but thankfully it was in the school so he ran up to the gross lockers and got some of his nitrile gloves for the phlebotomists to use!

p.s. to a previous poster: I have read that there are latex-free condoms but I've never seen them. I think you probably have to special order them or go to a store specializing in..er...such things 😉

They have latex-free condoms...i think the most popular is polyurethane condomsand they also have sheep's skin condoms. I think there are more, but the most popular is the polyurethane, however, i dont think its as affective as latex condoms. Hey, its either that or nothing.