glove allergy

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Hello, I am a student nurse in the UK with a type 4 latex and natural rubber latex allergy (carba mix and thiuram mix). Does any one have the same allergy as me? I have been told I shouldn't be a nurse due to my allergy, but this is all I have ever wanted to do. Leaving this course doesn't even come into the equation for me. Does anyone else know what gloves may be suitable or anyone with the same allergy?

I was wearing vinyl gloves for clinical placement however they do not offer adequate protection against blood Bourne viruses.

Thank you all,

Sherone

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Specializes in Critical care.

This is something that you should have spoken to occupational health about at the start of your course, they would have been able to give you advice and guidance about what action to take, it's what they're there for. Did you discuss this with them?

As for protection against BBV, the vast majority of gloves used in clinical practice are non latex, all non sterile gloves I use are non latex and provide adequate protection against BBV. The only place I've seen latex gloves used as standard is in theatre and there are non latex options for sterile gloves as well, because people with latex allergies still need operations.

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Specializes in Adult Nurse Practitioner.

Have you tried to use the other gloves over your vinyl ones?

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Here you go:

KIMTECH PURE* G3 Sterile STERLING* Nitrile Gloves 6-Kimberly-Clark Professional*

Nitrile gloves is what we use in the US on latex allergic pts and for latex allergic nursing staff.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Merged two threads.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

I cannot even recall the last time I saw actual latex gloves. We all use non-latex and all the gloves we are provided give protection against BB pathogens.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Nitrile is the alternative in the U.S. I would guess it's also available in the UK

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I'm a 2nd year student now, after continually asking my university to refer me to occupational health since commencing the course they finally have; to be told I shouldn't be a nurse, I'm unfit to be a nurse. the support has been really poor from the start. Vinyl gloves were fine to use until recently.

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I have used nitrile blue gloves and accelerator free purple gloves but they have rubber accelerators in that I react to. I have double gloved over the vinyl and my hands become itchy and red :-(

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Specializes in Pedi.

Vinyl gloves were all we used when I worked in the hospital, unless the patient was on chemotherapy. Who told you they don't offer protection against blood borne illnesses?

I haven't seen latex anything in 100 years. A latex allergy will not prevent you from becoming a nurse.

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My clinical educator said they were too permeable and they are against my current trusts infection control policy which is a problem. I have been using vinyl gloves problem free on my skin for 2 years and now I am being stopped from clinical placement until suitable gloves are found.

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Specializes in ICU.

Can you nitrile like previous posters have mentioned? All I have every used in clinical in the purple nitrile ones.

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