Please tell me I don't have a latex allergy...

[Lemur, BSN, RN]

I am a nursing student, and we only have clinical once a week so it's taken me a while to put this together - every clinical day I come home with very dry peeling hands. I had always blamed it on the handwash we use at the hospitals (the foamy one), but now I am scared it's really a latex allergy. We use latex-free gloves at our college lab, and I never get dry hands from just washing them a lot. It's only on clinical day. Please tell me someone else gets dry peely hands from the foamy handwash stuff - I really really don't want a latex allergy, just when I've found what I truly want to do with my life And if I do have a latex allergy, how do I know? What do I do?

L.

[TazziRN, RN]

Let your instructor know and s/he can take steps to determine what the reaction is to. If it is the latex gloves then the hospital has to provide latex-free gloves. This should not be an issue since latex reactions are common and many nurses can't wear them. Many hospitals are even not supplying latex gloves anymore.

[medicrnohio, RN]

It could be a latex allergy. Maybe try some latex free gloves at clinicals. They should have some available since they will have patients with latex allergies. They can also do a blood test to check for latex allergies. If you are allergic, you will need to stay away from things with latex in them. Most employee health departments will arrange for latex free gloves for employees with latex allergies. It is possible to be a nurse with a latex allergy. Good luck!

[Lemur, BSN, RN]

Thank you - I guess I am freaking myself out with all the anaphylactic shock talk that comes up when you google latex allergy. It's just my luck, really :wink2:

[ICRN2008, BSN, RN]

Most if not all facilities are latex-free at this point because of the risk of reaction for both patients and providers. I suggest that you examine the glove boxes closely when you return to clinicals or call the hospital's facilities department to find out if the gloves you use contain latex.

Good luck to you as you finish clinicals!

[core0]

Thank you - I guess I am freaking myself out with all the anaphylactic shock talk that comes up when you google latex allergy. It's just my luck, really :wink2:

Most people actually have a latex sensitivity not a latex allergy. Fortunately real latex allergies are rare, but a real problem, especially in hospitals. A latex sensitivity can usually be relieved by avoiding latex contact. The other possibility is that you are reacting to the powder in the gloves. I have a latex sensitivity but I can use latex gloves in the OR if they are powder free. Take a look at the gloves at your clinical site and see how they are different from those at school.

As far as the foamy stuff, some people claim that it makes your hands dry. I have the opposite problem. We have the alcohol lotion stuff. My hands feel coated after 5 or 6 applications. I "borrowed" a bottle of the foamy stuff and keep it in my pocket. Try some of the various lotions that seem to be hanging around the sinks between the foamy stuff.

David Carpenter, PA-C

[HM2VikingRN, RN]

Really can't offer medical advice for TOS reasons.

I know that the foam cleaner really caused my skin to peel off my hands.

I think its really important to wash your hands with soap and water on occasion as I think the waterless sanitizers do tend to build up a coating.

[XB9S, BSN, MSN, EdD, RN, APN]

There could be many reasons that your hands are getting the symptoms you describe, this is not something that we are going to be answer here at allnurses.com

You need to discuss this problem with your clinical instructor and health care provider, they will be able to assess your problem and give you appropriate advice and treatment

Good luck