Latex Allergy/Sensitivity

[jadealer]

So after wearing latex gloves on a daily basis for almost 4 years in the lab, my body has suddenly decided that they are evil. Its not super sensitive but the entire top of both my hands were red, irritated, and blistering. It was the same brand that I've used for four years and never had a problem, also they are non-powdered.

At first, I thought it was just dry skin from the winter.. but they kept becoming more and more irritated even as I put lotion on daily and my coworker said it looked like latex sensitivity. I switched to nitrile gloves and a week later my hands were fine. I've since tried the latex gloves again, both my normal brand and a different brand and within minutes my hands became irritated.

One of the doctors I work for said, "Oh looks like you're going to have trouble and can't do anything surgical." Is this true? I was just accepted in medical school adn I was wondering if my latex sensitivity is going to be a major hassle for the rest of my career. Will non-latex options be provided for anatomy labs and such? Or do I have to make a special request to the school? 😕

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[eablackwell]

So after wearing latex gloves on a daily basis for almost 4 years in the lab, my body has suddenly decided that they are evil. Its not super sensitive but the entire top of both my hands were red, irritated, and blistering. It was the same brand that I've used for four years and never had a problem, also they are non-powdered.

At first, I thought it was just dry skin from the winter.. but they kept becoming more and more irritated even as I put lotion on daily and my coworker said it looked like latex sensitivity. I switched to nitrile gloves and a week later my hands were fine. I've since tried the latex gloves again, both my normal brand and a different brand and within minutes my hands became irritated.

One of the doctors I work for said, "Oh looks like you're going to have trouble and can't do anything surgical." Is this true? I was just accepted in medical school adn I was wondering if my latex sensitivity is going to be a major hassle for the rest of my career. Will non-latex options be provided for anatomy labs and such? Or do I have to make a special request to the school? 😕

I know a lot of people with latex allergies, and they undergo surgeries, so I believe the surgeon just uses a different type of glove. I won't pretend to know for sure what is used in various ORs, but we aren't even allowed to have latex gloves in schools because of these allergies. We use nitrile or synthetic vinyl.

 

[exptherainbow]

Latex allergies are so common these days that most hospitals carry a majority of latex-free products. It really shouldn't affect your medical career, you just have to be careful to check labels before you put anything on. A lot of my friends with the allergy also carry their own latex-free gloves just in case.

 

[juliedi]

I've been in the OR watching at least one or two cases involving patients with latex allergies, and all of the doctors/nurses/techs just make sure they wear non-latex gloves. (Yes, they do have various types of surgical gloves made out of non-latex materials.)

On a similar note, I've heard from a couple of docs that latex allergies or sensitivities can often be prevented by always washing your hands after wearing latex glove. Not sure how true this is, and it might be too late for you now, but I just wanted to mention that.

 

[kami333]

The hospital I work at is 100% latex free, which is great since I'm allergic too.

You might have to make a special request to have them stocked in your lab (or worse comes to worst, purchase them on your own) but they make surgical gloves in a variety of non-latex materials, usually nitrile or vinyl. Like: http://www.directglove.com/Powder-Free-Nitrile-Sterile-Surgical-Gloves-p/gl-777108.htm

I've found Kimberly-Clarks Sterling Nitrile gloves to be the best non-sterile nitriles, they aren't as bulky as a lot of other nitrile gloves, I think they're 4mil. Fisherbrand ones (their blue) are good, the MediChoice Blue/White are similar but they foam up when you spray ethanol on them.


Condoms on the other hand are a huge pain.

 

[LEUNIT]

Condoms on the other hand are a huge pain.

Tell us more.

 

[kami333]

Tell us more.

lol

Lambskin doesn't protect against STDs.
Many of the polyurethane ones are thinner but feel stiffer.
Better stock up because you typically can't buy non-latex at gas stations.
Not a lot of variety, all the fun condoms (like glow in the dark) are latex.
They don't make them in magnums, though some like the Trojan Supra are a bit bigger than standard.
You can use oil based lube with non-latex.

Personally I like polyisoprene ones, specifically the Lifestyles Skyn.

 

[kcin]

The hospital I volunteer at won't even let visitors bring in latex balloons...

 

[motomed]

by the time you're out of med school, most places will have gone entirely latex free. two of the three hospitals I've worked at in the last couple years already are. working in the ER, I've always liked the nitrile gloves better anyway. they're a little thicker and I feel like they give me a little more protection from sharps and car window glass and such.

 

[gravitywave]

by the time you're out of med school, most places will have gone entirely latex free. two of the three hospitals I've worked at in the last couple years already are. working in the ER, I've always liked the nitrile gloves better anyway. they're a little thicker and I feel like they give me a little more protection from sharps and car window glass and such.

latex precautions are all well and good. but when they start removing the peanut butter chocolate heaven bars from the hospital cafe here, i will lead the revolt.

 

[Long Way to Go]

latex precautions are all well and good. but when they start removing the peanut butter chocolate heaven bars from the hospital cafe here, i will lead the revolt.

👍

 

[LEUNIT]

lol

Lambskin doesn't protect against STDs.
Many of the polyurethane ones are thinner but feel stiffer.
Better stock up because you typically can't buy non-latex at gas stations.
Not a lot of variety, all the fun condoms (like glow in the dark) are latex.
They don't make them in magnums, though some like the Trojan Supra are a bit bigger than standard.
You can use oil based lube with non-latex.

Personally I like polyisoprene ones, specifically the Lifestyles Skyn.

Very helpful, thanks. I know some hot girls that are allergic to latex. 😀

AW MAN, NO TROJAN MAGNUMS. I GUESS I CAN'T WEAR LATEX-FREE.

 

[NYRN]

Most hospitals are latex free, and those that aren't, will be. I'm also allergic to latex gloves, and the ones that have the powder in them are the worst. Most of the gloves we use nowadays aren't latex anyway.

Don't worry, your medical career is not over. Only a jerk would say that to someone.

 

[hmockingbird]

latex precautions are all well and good. but when they start removing the peanut butter chocolate heaven bars from the hospital cafe here, i will lead the revolt.

Cleveland Clinic already removed all pop/soda. My friend who works there as a nurse was NOT happy.

Most of the hospitals I've been to are latex-free. The one I worked at this summer didn't stock latex gloves - it wasn't a "latex free hospital" but they were trying to make it as scarce as they could without that policy. Another I was treated at had the no-latex-balloons rule and was totally latex free. I'm semi-allergic. I reacted to latex rubber bands for my braces but it doesn't affect me on my skin yet. I've been told by multiple people that latex affecting mucosal surfaces is a pre-cursor to the full-blown allergy so I just try to avoid latex as much as I can.

 

[jadealer]

Only a jerk would say that to someone.

Well.. that he definitely is... if he was my only experience in medicine.. I would have changed career paths because he's one of the most negative, egotistical, insulting people I've ever worked for.. and he's treats everyone in this manner.. I can't wait to quit.. only a few more months...

 

[mitchlucker]

Yeah it's a pain ordering a 36 pack of sheepskin Magnum XLs from Trojan on the phone every couple days. Wish they just sold them at Walmart like the rest.

 

[Wolfman89]

In the hospital where I shadow I have only seen nitirile gloves, if that helps at all.

 

[kami333]

Most hospitals are latex free, and those that aren't, will be. I'm also allergic to latex gloves, and the ones that have the powder in them are the worst. Most of the gloves we use nowadays aren't latex anyway.

Don't worry, your medical career is not over. Only a jerk would say that to someone.

To be fair it's only been in the last 5-10years that we've started avoiding latex and alternatives have become widely available. I remember my father who is a physician and also allergic to latex always having severely chapped hands and lesions when I was growing up.

Yeah it's a pain ordering a 36 pack of sheepskin Magnum XLs from Trojan on the phone every couple days. Wish they just sold them at Walmart like the rest.

I've never understood the point of lambskin condoms.

They don't prevent STDs and if you're in a long term relationship there's easier (and cheaper) ways to prevent pregnancies.

 

[nlax30]

I've been with surgeons who had latex allergies themselves. It won't be a problem for you.

 

[AGLAIA]

lol

Lambskin doesn't protect against STDs.
Many of the polyurethane ones are thinner but feel stiffer.
Better stock up because you typically can't buy non-latex at gas stations.
Not a lot of variety, all the fun condoms (like glow in the dark) are latex.
They don't make them in magnums, though some like the Trojan Supra are a bit bigger than standard.
You can use oil based lube with non-latex.

Personally I like polyisoprene ones, specifically the Lifestyles Skyn.

Don't forget, they are slippery as all hell when at all wet... especially from the inside.


OP, OSHA requires that appropriate personal-protective equipment be provided for your use as an employee. You will be fine once you are in the hospital setting because there will be people there who are sensitive, too. I don't know whether or not that carries over to students (for labs, etc), but I would recommend speaking with the student health department at your medical school.

 

[toooldforthis]

Could also be a sensitivity to the powder on the gloves. Try and find powder free latex and see if the condition gets better.

I have seen this before.

 

[jadealer]

Could also be a sensitivity to the powder on the gloves. Try and find powder free latex and see if the condition gets better.

I have seen this before.

They were already powder free...

I can't stand powdered gloves.. they literally make my skin crawl...
::shudders::