Latex Free Gloves: Why Every Medical Examination Should Use Them

Latex allergy is not just a problem for medical technicians and practitioners, it's a problem for patients too. Fortunately, there is a solution; latex free gloves.

While some are born with this allergy, the use of latex in medical gloves has made it clear that repeated exposure to latex can bring about sensitivity in those who previously showed no sign of it. Gloves containing latex are in common use in hospitals and almost everywhere where medical examinations are carried out, yet so severe can the allergy be, that some have had to give up their profession completely because they were no longer able to wear them.

Fortunately many companies have developed latex free gloves which can be used by medical professionals and others. These are usually color coded, so if you see your medical professional wearing blue gloves, it's likely these are latex free.

But it's not just medical professionals who benefit from wearing these gloves. Around four per cent of people have a type 1, or severe sensitivity to latex which can cause severe complications during surgical procedures. Some conditions seem to be especially vulnerable to this allergy, for example more than two thirds of spina bifida sufferers are also sensitive to latex, a fact which complicates their care. It is also common in those who suffer from food allergies, (especially those involving bananas and avocado) those who have had many operations and those who suffer from hay fever.

Where symptoms are severe they manifest as shortness of breath, vomiting, dizziness, confusion and sufferers may lose consciousness. In these cases, immediate medical help is required. Less severe symptoms includes sneezing and itchy patches, or in some cases a red raised rash where the skin has been in contact with the latex.

Skin contact is the usual reason for an allergic reaction, however it is not always necessary. Latex particles can be inhaled, and as a result it is possible to have a reaction to latex without having worn the substance at all. Many medical gloves have cornstarch inside to make it easier to put them on. The cornstarch absorbs the latex proteins and when the gloves are stretched as they are applied, the cornstarch escapes into the air. The latex proteins can then be inhaled by anyone in the surrounding area.

Almost all hospitals now make latex free gloves available for use in all situations where gloves are used. Some hospitals go even further, and as a result of the risk to patients as well as practitioners, have placed a complete ban on the use of all gloves containing latex.

Although there are treatments which can reduce the severity of an allergic attack, there is no cure for this allergy and the only safe solution is to avoid latex altogether and use latex free gloves and other products wherever possible.

Find out more about medical gloves and latex free gloves that are available and where you can buy them.