? about latex gloves....

[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.

[Agnus]

Nitril are more expensive these are far from the only non laytex gloves out there. Many come very close to the qualities of laytex without being laytex and are quite inexpensive. One hospital where I worked even had some that were impregnated with loation I think it was aloh and your hand felt wonderful with them on and after.

Not all non laytex are great. Yet for the most part the non sterile things we do with gloves do not require the sensitivity of laytex and the other qualities.

Anyplace I have been since 1996 the only laytex gloves were sterile ones. Even then if you needed non laytex sterile they were available.

I developed a sever senitivity long before becoming a nurse. I was a CNA.

[Dental Hygienist]

"Elastex" brand nitrile gloves are wonderful! They are only slightly more expensive than latex and stretch really well, they are pretty thin and I actually prefer them to normal latex gloves. I am not latex allergic, but have switched all my dental operatories to latex free to avoid a possible reaction in my latex allergic patients.

I really hate the kimberly clark "safe skin" nitrile gloves, ya know..The THICK THICK purple ones...they are like kitchen utility gloves and are actually really expensive. If that is what your facility currently stocks for nitrile, the person in charge of ordering might be happy to learn about Elastex as they are relatively cheap compared to most nitriles...I know they can be ordered thru the glove club.

[Agnus]

In noticed the OP is a Dental Hygenist. (Ok spelling starting to go down drain) I find that interesting because it seems all the dental folks I have known (in different offices) hate it when they have to use non laytex for me. They just don't seem to like haveing to wear anything else.

[lainith]

I'll come home with severely reddened and swollen hands. Lotion makes it worse, as ironically, hand washing. I just have to wait it out.

I keep Aveeno cortisone cream (a little tube) in my purse because I run into things like this at my current job sometimes. New soaps, sanitizers, and coming in contact with the powdered gloves at work, etc causes me to experience similar dermatitis allergic reactions. The Aveeno cream usually soothes this pretty quickly, along with a nice dose of Benadryl! I buy it from Wal-mart or most drug stores carry it. I swear by the cortisone + Benadryl combo for myself. I feel for ya!

[bethin]

I keep Aveeno cortisone cream (a little tube) in my purse because I run into things like this at my current job sometimes. New soaps, sanitizers, and coming in contact with the powdered gloves at work, etc causes me to experience similar dermatitis allergic reactions. The Aveeno cream usually soothes this pretty quickly, along with a nice dose of Benadryl! I buy it from Wal-mart or most drug stores carry it. I swear by the cortisone + Benadryl combo for myself. I feel for ya!

Thanks! I'll try that. I take Benadryl daily for allergies anyway, but haven't tried Aveeno.

[TiredMD]

I suffer and pray that I suddenly don't go into anaphylatic (sp) shock. The pain can be unbearable.

I'll come home with severely reddened and swollen hands. Lotion makes it worse, as ironically, hand washing. I just have to wait it out.

I know it's an allergy - 2 dr's diagnosed me. Happened first at work, but was not deemed a workman's comp case.

You filed for workman's comp, but won't stop using latex gloves because it's "inconvenient"?

[bethin]

You filed for workman's comp, but won't stop using latex gloves because it's "inconvenient"?

I never filed for workman's comp.

The hospital told me without me asking that it wasn't workman's comp.

Inconvenient? Like I said, I can't carry gloves in my pockets and I can't carry boxes room to room. Infection control.

And I don't appreciate your tone. Thank you.

[TiredMD]

I never filed for workman's comp.

The hospital told me without me asking that it wasn't workman's comp.

I was supposed to figure that out from your previous post?

You could always do what I've seen done in . . . well, every hospital I've ever worked in. Put a box of non-latex gloves at the nursing station, write your name on it, and grab a set before you walk into the patient's room.

Or you could continue to use latex gloves that apparently give you debilitating pain and make you worry that you're going to anaphylax.

Whatever works for you.

[leslie :-D]

well beth, come on...tiredmd has a valid point.

i'm not sure if i'm truly allergic to latex.

it started out with me scratching my hands til they bled.

then it spread to large splotches on my legs/thighs...red, warm, itchy!!!

one noc, i felt my throat closing...

my point being, it was a process where the sensitization kept on escalating to likely, full blown allergies.

and considering what i've experienced, i am not understanding you continuing to wear latex gloves...no matter what the inconvenience is.

we're talking about a life or death situation here.

all it would take is a md note stating your allergies, and your workplace would have to supply you.

truthfully, i too raised an eyebrow when i read you continue to wear them.

hope it works out for you.

leslie

[czyja, MSN, RN]

I never filed for workman's comp.

The hospital told me without me asking that it wasn't workman's comp.

I hate to give unsolicted feedback but here in California this would most definately be a Workers Compensation claim.

I do not know the state you work in but you might want to look into this further. Remember that it is in the hospital's interest to disuade you from filing a claim.There is propably not much in the way of damages but a claim would cover future expenses related to your problem.

[bethin]

I was supposed to figure that out from your previous post?

You could always do what I've seen done in . . . well, every hospital I've ever worked in. Put a box of non-latex gloves at the nursing station, write your name on it, and grab a set before you walk into the patient's room.

Or you could continue to use latex gloves that apparently give you debilitating pain and make you worry that you're going to anaphylax.

Whatever works for you.

Yeah, I could do that. But considering I work on a 30 room unit with the nurses station at one end it doesn't seem very plausible. If I'm at the opposite end of the station needing a pair of gloves and have to walk to the other end to get them, then back, that's alot of wasted time. I'd NEVER get anything done. I don't mind the walking back and forth (good exercise) but having a to tell a pt to wait, they can't poop yet even if they have diarrhea because I don't have gloves is not good patient care.

And I apologize for sniping at you - my knee as many know has stitches in it after a fall and pain meds can make me witchy. Another reason why I can't be walking back and forth to get one pair of gloves.

I think this thread has strayed from the original topic.

[bethin]

well beth, come on...tiredmd has a valid point.

i'm not sure if i'm truly allergic to latex.

it started out with me scratching my hands til they bled.

then it spread to large splotches on my legs/thighs...red, warm, itchy!!!

one noc, i felt my throat closing...

my point being, it was a process where the sensitization kept on escalating to likely, full blown allergies.

and considering what i've experienced, i am not understanding you continuing to wear latex gloves...no matter what the inconvenience is.

we're talking about a life or death situation here.

all it would take is a md note stating your allergies, and your workplace would have to supply you.

truthfully, i too raised an eyebrow when i read you continue to wear them.

hope it works out for you.

leslie

They have the note - they're the ones who inisisted I go to the ER when I first developed the rash at work. They supply them, just not in every room. I asked them politely to keep a box in every room and got nowhere...of course this is the same place that refuses to accept my intermittent FMLA papers. I don't expect too much from them and am glad I am graduating in a year where latex gloves won't be an issue.

Three semesters to go!