[CareBayer]

Why are hospitals still stocking latex gloves? Are non-latex gloves more porous (or more expensive) than latex?? I think that I may be developing a latex allergy. My hands are becoming red and irritated lately. How many of you have developed a latex allergy or sensitivity since becoming a nurse?

My facility stocks non-latex gloves, but most rooms still have latex gloves....sometimes you have to search (and search and search) for non-latex.

[sharrie]

It's no different in the UK we have mainly latex gloves and I often have to go on a search for latex free which is really frustraing and I cover 5 wards as a NP and have resorted to keeping a stock in my office which I restock my pockets.

I often ask myself the exact same question you pose here

[cityhawk]

I don't know, but personally, I prefer the latex gloves.... unless, of course, a patient has an allergy to them. They stretch better and I can feel things better through them. But the hospital where I do my clincals doesn't use latex gloves. I can understand why given people's sensitivity to them.

[mcs1505]

Ugh. I hate latex gloves. I ran on an ambulance service for a year and a half and we never used latex. I got used to them and now latex just feel weird, plus I'm paranoid I'll develop an allergy (I'm allergic to everything, or so it seems sometimes)

[elkpark]

I wish I could find latex gloves in my facility -- I hate those nasty nitrile gloves we have!

[BlueHenRN]

Originally Posted by elkpark

I wish I could find latex gloves in my facility -- I hate those nasty nitrile gloves we have!

Lancaster General Hospital is a completely latex-free institution that uses powder free VINYL gloves as well as the Nitrile. I'm not a fan of the nitrile, either, but the powder free vinyl were great!
Jess

[aeauooo]

Originally Posted by CareBayer

My hands are becoming red and irritated lately. How many of you have developed a latex allergy or sensitivity since becoming a nurse?

I can wear powder-free latex gloves, but I will get a rash with any kind of contact with the powder in gloves. I used to get a rash on my arms just holding a chart because the powder from someone else's hands would be on it. Once hospitals got rid of powdered gloves I was fine.

[TiredMD]

Because non-latex gloves totally suck.

[JustaPatient]

my hospital IS latex free

my dentist is GOING latex free

[bethin]

I developed an allergy to latex.

My hospital of course has to provide latex free gloves but they do not stock them in every room. It's against infection control policy to carry gloves in your pockets so I still use latex gloves. It's just not prudent for me to carry around a box of gloves when the hospital could easily provide them in every room. I am seeing more and more pt's with latex allergies and then (and only then) will the hospital put a box in the pt's room.

Plus, in an emergency, what am I going to tell a pt? Sorry, but I need to run and find latex free gloves before I stop the bleeding?

I know they're more expensive, but most employees hate latex free gloves. It wouldn't be that much more expensive if I (the only one with an allergy) were the only one to use them. I actually love those pt's with latex allergies - means I can use the gloves in the rooms.