numb hands in gross lab

[ph_wudoc]

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This sounds really weird, but during a particularly long first lab (4 hours) my hands got tingly, and eventually went so numb I couldn't hold a scalpel. My prof said, it wasn't a big deal, just a minor sensitivity to the chemicals, but I don't really trust that he's looking out for my health, and not just trying to avoid making his job difficult 😉 Anybody know on authority what's going on? The smell doesn't bother me, and I wear doubled powdered latex gloves that I changed once during lab when I noticed my hands were tingly.

 

[mattorama]

This sounds really weird, but during a particularly long first lab (4 hours) my hands got tingly, and eventually went so numb I couldn't hold a scalpel. My prof said, it wasn't a big deal, just a minor sensitivity to the chemicals, but I don't really trust that he's looking out for my health, and not just trying to avoid making his job difficult 😉 Anybody know on authority what's going on? The smell doesn't bother me, and I wear doubled powdered latex gloves that I changed once during lab when I noticed my hands were tingly.

I had the same problem at the beginning. Try doubling up with nitrile gloves...it worked for me.

 

[Ryan]

This sounds really weird, but during a particularly long first lab (4 hours) my hands got tingly, and eventually went so numb I couldn't hold a scalpel. My prof said, it wasn't a big deal, just a minor sensitivity to the chemicals, but I don't really trust that he's looking out for my health, and not just trying to avoid making his job difficult 😉 Anybody know on authority what's going on? The smell doesn't bother me, and I wear doubled powdered latex gloves that I changed once during lab when I noticed my hands were tingly.

I have seen this by volunteers in the ER too. Usually it has NOTHING to do with a chemical exposure, just gloves that are way to tight (esp. when used for FOUR HOURS). If you are double gloved than I highly doubt that you are getting any formalin on your hands, even though the phenol can SLIGHTLY penetrate the latex. It is far more likely that your gloves are just WAY to tight. Try a loose fitting nitrile glove (just in case you have some weird latex or powder sensitivity). Hope this helps!!!

-Ryan

 

[ColoMD]

It's the latex gloves...they are somewhat permeable to the phenol in the embalming solution. If you use nitrile gloves, you should be fine. (And for a cheap way to go, use 1 pair of nitrile gloves and double glove with latex. You can change out the latex as often as you want throughout the lab since they are about half the price of nitrile.)

 

[Ryan]

It's the latex gloves...they are somewhat permeable to the phenol in the embalming solution. If you use nitrile gloves, you should be fine. (And for a cheap way to go, use 1 pair of nitrile gloves and double glove with latex. You can change out the latex as often as you want throughout the lab since they are about half the price of nitrile.)

This is prob the best way to be sure.

 

[4 Ever]

I had an issue like this a few weeks back - I was opening up the thorax and then while removing structures I had to dig my hand into the cavity. I was double gloved and they were actually kind of loose on me (unfortunately our group was given large gloves). After the lab I noticed that the tip of my 2nd digit on my right hand was kind of numb - the glove itself was quite stiff (not flexible at all). For about 4-5days I had slight numbness in that region. For a week after that, the skin on my finger would be dried up/peeling after showering or washing my hands. Its fine now but I have no idea why this happened - I was double gloved AND the gloves were loose so it wasn't a loss of circulation either

 

[MeowMix]

it's the phenol that causes the numbness.

We use non-latex gloves, but they are cheap (not nitrile). I put a thin coat of vaseline on my hands and then double-glove (tip from a friend). Works like a charm. I can have my hands inside the cadaver for a while with no problems. Also, I change gloves with more vaseline after 2 hours.

 

[16846]

Does anyone know what the mechanism is regarding the phenol? This is the first time I have ever heard this explination.

 

[automaton]

it can also be due to mechanical forces, i.e. the tools pressing down on your finger, especially when you're using those scissor grip thingys for a long time. just remember to switch hands once in a while.

 

[skiz knot]

Does anyone know what the mechanism is regarding the phenol? This is the first time I have ever heard this explination.

phenol is an organic solvent. Latex is organic material.

 

[dtreese]

I was just having this problem today. For me, it's actually carpal tunnel constriction. As soon as I put the tools down for a couple of minutes, I'm fine. My instructor said it happens to him every year. He even mentioned that when he first started here, they worked without gloves (ewww) and his hands would get numb much earlier in the year.

 

[16846]

phenol is an organic solvent. Latex is organic material.

Nono, once the phenol has been absorbed through the skin, what's the mechanism of action?

 

[ph_wudoc]

My gloves are loose, so I don't think it's a constriction thing, but it could be some other mechanical problem.
I don't think I have an allergy either as I've been wearing latex gloves without a problem in the research lab.

Thanks everyone for your tips. I'm definately going to try the nitrile gloves, as it's been suggested by several people, and the idea of double gloving on the outside with latex was great too, especially since I already bought a box of those!

I can't imagine working without gloves...gross!

 

[madtowngirl]

by the end of semester, our tank had run out of gloves and we went barehanded. I didn't have any numbness issues, I just had to make sure to wash extra diligently!

 

[youngman]

me, too.

i also had that problem. by the way, does your school provide free gloves? we had to buy our own. And i bought the cheapest one for like $5.5 for a box, size XL. so those are pretty loose on my hands.

and i got numbness. and i gave some to my lab partner, she also had that problem after the use. however, after a while, i no longer feel the numbness any more. i suppose that my hands are getting used to it.

 

[ph_wudoc]

Yeah... we have to pay for our own gloves, unless you're on the cadaver team, which I'm not until next semester.
But, they do provide an atlas that stays with the body, so we don't have to fork over the money for one that can be contaminated 😀

 

[skiz knot]

Nono, once the phenol has been absorbed through the skin, what's the mechanism of action?

Phenol exerts a marked corrosive action on any tissue of contact when ingested, inhaled or after skin exposure. Its cellular uptake is both rapid and passive due to its lipophilic character, and signs of systemic toxicity develop soon after exposure. Phenol's main target organs are the liver and kidney. It may also effect the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.

After ingestion phenol produces burning pain and white necrotic lesions in the mouth, oesophagus and stomach, vomiting and bloody diarrhoea. After skin exposure, pain is followed by numbness and the skin becomes blanched. The
systemic clinical effects of phenol are independent on the route of exposure, they include: headache, dizziness,hypotension, ventricular arrhythmia, shallow respiration, cyanosis, pallor; excitation and convulsions may occur initially, but it is quickly followed by unconsciousness. A fall in body temperature and pulmonary oedema may occur. Methemoglobinemia and hemolytic anemia have been reported occasionally. The most important effects in short-term animal studies are neurotoxicity, liver and kidney damage and respiratory effects. The available data do not suggest a strong potential for cumulative health effects from chronic exposure.

 

[skiz knot]

It is amazing the type of information that can easily found on google with less effort than asking a question on sdn.

 

[ph_wudoc]

This week I wore nitrile gloves with a pair of latex over them. Not only was I not numb, but my hands didn't even smell afterwards!
Thanks for all your help.

 

[prophecy2]

Ulnar nerve along the medial epicondyle!

 

[16846]

Phenol exerts a marked corrosive action on any tissue of contact when ingested, inhaled or after skin exposure. Its cellular uptake is both rapid and passive due to its lipophilic character, and signs of systemic toxicity develop soon after exposure. Phenol's main target organs are the liver and kidney. It may also effect the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.

After ingestion phenol produces burning pain and white necrotic lesions in the mouth, oesophagus and stomach, vomiting and bloody diarrhoea. After skin exposure, pain is followed by numbness and the skin becomes blanched. The
systemic clinical effects of phenol are independent on the route of exposure, they include: headache, dizziness,hypotension, ventricular arrhythmia, shallow respiration, cyanosis, pallor; excitation and convulsions may occur initially, but it is quickly followed by unconsciousness. A fall in body temperature and pulmonary oedema may occur. Methemoglobinemia and hemolytic anemia have been reported occasionally. The most important effects in short-term animal studies are neurotoxicity, liver and kidney damage and respiratory effects. The available data do not suggest a strong potential for cumulative health effects from chronic exposure.

Yuck, glad I made of point of ditching as many gross labs as humanly possible.

 

[Firebird]

phenol is an organic solvent. Latex is organic material.

So what, latex may be organic, but it's not even slightly soluble in phenol.