The soap, the gloves or BOTH.

oldiebutgoodie, RN · Mar 6, 2008

My hands are an itchy, bumpy, red mess.
I'm a new grad, been working for about 5 weeks now. I have no idea if it's the soap or the gloves or both. They do not use latex free gloves at my hospital, but we do have them....I suppose I should start keeping some in my pocket.
How do I know if it's the soap or the latex? I really hope it's not a latex allergy.
Any thoughts? I was even dreaming about my itchy hands last night, that's how bad they are.

I recently went through the same thing. I switched to the non-latex gloves, and it went away (but it took about a week or so).

Try eliminating the latex first, and give it two weeks, and see if that makes a difference. If not, it may be the soap. I'm betting on the gloves, though. And make sure to TOTALLY eliminate the latex gloves for those 2 weeks.

Good luck,

Oldiebutgoodie

racing-mom4, BSN, RN · Mar 6, 2008

I have never had the itchy like you are saying---so it may in fact be the glove allergy...you may want to also try a really good thick lotion. Such at Euchirin(sp?) I have even some knock off bath and body lotion I got from Walmart that is really good and thick. As far as I am concerned you can never have enough lotion, dont get the real smelly stuff though that can be too much for some patients sensitive noses.

I have even been known to slather on the lotion than put on a pair of gloves and go to sleep. The winter is the worst. Plus if your just starting into school/work. Your hands are not used to being washed 100x a day. My hands are not as bad as they used to be when I 1st began...

Good Luck

EmmaG, RN · Mar 6, 2008

I'm betting it's the gloves, too. Keep in mind that sometimes nitrile gloves can be cross-allergic.

In addition to using non-latex items, file an injury report with your employee health. Ours would send (and pay for) employees to see the allergist in order to rule out latex allergy. Even if your EH won't, it would be a good idea to see one and get tested so you know for sure.

jbee · Mar 6, 2008

I was having the same issue until I switched to powderless gloves. You may want to try that for a couple of days and see how it goes.

EmmaG, RN · Mar 6, 2008

I was having the same issue until I switched to powderless gloves. You may want to try that for a couple of days and see how it goes.

I see you're from Canada, but... wow. I haven't seen powdered gloves in years. That's pretty dangerous.

jbee · Mar 6, 2008

I see you're from Canada, but... wow. I haven't seen powdered gloves in years. That's pretty dangerous.

Whoops, wasn't thinking when I wrote this. I should have explained that a) I'm a student who b) works in a LTC facility and in food prep at a restaurant. In the labs at school all of our gloves are powdered- my hands are not a fan. In the LTC facility I'm at you sometimes have to search for non-powdered gloves. Finally, at the restaurant I'm at you just kind of take what you can get. I've actually never seen powdered gloves in any of the hospitals that I've done clinical at, but have seen them in a few different nursing homes. They're not really "powdered"- they just have this weird film in them. Does that make a bit more sense? Sorry for the confusion.

Bonny619 · Mar 6, 2008

Thank you everyone for the tips! I'll start using the latex free gloves and I'll see how that works. I think it must be a combo of the constant washing and the latex gloves.

I am prone to allergies such as hay fever and of all things..melons.

I think I should see a doctor about my allergies and get tested.

santhony44, MSN, RN, NP · Mar 6, 2008

In addition to using non-latex items, file an injury report with your employee health. Ours would send (and pay for) employees to see the allergist in order to rule out latex allergy. Even if your EH won't, it would be a good idea to see one and get tested so you know for sure.

I second this suggestion. I'd do this before going on your own to an allergist, even if you have one.

bethin · Mar 6, 2008

I'm betting it's the gloves, too. Keep in mind that sometimes nitrile gloves can be cross-allergic.
In addition to using non-latex items, file an injury report with your employee health. Ours would send (and pay for) employees to see the allergist in order to rule out latex allergy. Even if your EH won't, it would be a good idea to see one and get tested so you know for sure.

Consider yourself lucky.

Two years ago, 10 mins after I got my annual PPD my arms started swelling twice their normal size. Went to the ER thinking it was an allergic reaction to the PPD. Nope, latex allergy. Do you think workman's comp paid for that visit and all the meds I was on?

Yeah right. And I still wear regular gloves because the floor doesn't keep latex free gloves handy. One box in the nurses station doesn't cut it when you're on the other end of the hall and in a code brown.

EmmaG, RN · Mar 6, 2008

Thank you everyone for the tips! I'll start using the latex free gloves and I'll see how that works. I think it must be a combo of the constant washing and the latex gloves.
I am prone to allergies such as hay fever and of all things..melons.
I think I should see a doctor about my allergies and get tested.

Yep.

And about that melon allergy...

Curiously, certain fruits such as bananas, chestnuts, kiwi fruit, avocado and tomato1314 show cross-reactivity, perhaps because of resemblance to a latex protein component. These foods have been responsible for anaphylactic reactions in latex-sensitive persons, while many other foods, including figs, apples, celery, melons, potatoes, papayas and pitted fruits, such as cherries and peaches, have caused progressive symptoms beginning with oral itching. Persons with a history of reactions to these foods are at increased risk of developing latex allergy, and those who are sensitive to latex should avoid foods to which they have had previous reactions.

http://www.aafp.org/afp/980101ap/reddy.html

Yeah right. And I still wear regular gloves because the floor doesn't keep latex free gloves handy. One box in the nurses station doesn't cut it when you're on the other end of the hall and in a code brown.

Beth, please be careful and always use non-latex gloves. Each exposure only increases your risk for a serious reaction.

MIA-RN · Mar 6, 2008

Everyone has such great advice I just want to add a bit more:

I have excema/sensitive skin and I have found that if I wash my hands, apply lotion, and then wear gloves (we only have non-latex), my hands get WORSE.

If I use my own lotion (I'm partial to Avon's Silicon Glove lotion) its even worse than if I use the hospital supplied Aquacel lotion.

So there is a chance that you might be increasing your symptoms/irritation by using the lotion too close to the time you put the gloves on.

Good luck, and definitely look into allergy testing.