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.
Sunday, October 09, 2011
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Nitrile Exam Gloves - A Perfect Substitution for Latex Gloves for Dental Purposes
Today we are prone to various kinds of infections and thus need to take various precautions. If you are in a profession like that of a dentist, then you need to take extra care as you have to stick your hand into your patient's mouth. Thus it is necessary to wear gloves that act as a protective shield against infection. These gloves are available in both disposable and non disposable forms.
One of our greatest health concerns these days has been to save ourselves from infections. So we take various precautions like drinking filtered water, wearing clean clothes washed in antiseptic detergents etc. While doing all these, one thing we tend to ignore sometimes from where there are maximum chances of getting infections, i.e our hands. Thus it is important that we keep our hands clean, not only before eating but always, as without giving much attention sometimes we put them into our mouth.
If you are in a profession where you have to work in laboratories or operation theaters or any other such place, then you have to be extra careful like wearing gloves as these act as a protective shield against those infection causing germs. And in case you are a dentist, then you have to be more conscious as you have to stick your hand into your patient's mouth, which calls for not only your protection but also the patient.
There are a variety of gloves available in the market. Latex gloves are highly preferred as these are strong and very much effective against infection during dental or any kind of surgical operation. These are made from natural rubber latex. But if you, like many other people, are allergic to latex and develop itching, skin rashes, sneezing, watery eyes or any other symptom on using it, you can go for nitrile gloves.
Nitrile gloves are a perfect substitution for the latex allergic people. These are made from synthetic rubber which is highly resistant to chemicals and acids. These have great flexibility and do not react with the chemicals, solvents, blood as they are highly sterilized. This is why this is more popular than other standard rubber gloves. Nitrile exam gloves are available in normal as well as longer sizes. The normal sized gloves comfortably fit onto the hands and allow flexibility in the movements of the fingers. These are ideal for those like the dentists who have to do mostly the hand work. The other ones are longer in length and generally extend up to the elbow.
These come in both forms, disposable and non disposable. Disposable ones are more preferred as it furthermore reduces the chance of getting infection. Powder is added to these disposable nitrile gloves to provide a smooth touch and if there are high risk of contamination, then you can go for the gloves without the powder as well. These have also gained a lot of popularity among the dentists as compared to the common latex ones.
As far as the cost is concerned, these might be a little costlier than the latex ones but are still affordable, as these have longer life than the natural latex ones. Nitrile exam gloves also come with textured fingertips, non slip grip for providing comfort while doing wet work and interlock liners for extra strength. You can buy these gloves from any walk in medical stores or online stores. These are mostly available in a pack of about 100 pieces.
The author of this article is associated with EQplus, a leading supplier of Nitrile gloves, Nitrile exam gloves and other healthcare produ
One of our greatest health concerns these days has been to save ourselves from infections. So we take various precautions like drinking filtered water, wearing clean clothes washed in antiseptic detergents etc. While doing all these, one thing we tend to ignore sometimes from where there are maximum chances of getting infections, i.e our hands. Thus it is important that we keep our hands clean, not only before eating but always, as without giving much attention sometimes we put them into our mouth.
If you are in a profession where you have to work in laboratories or operation theaters or any other such place, then you have to be extra careful like wearing gloves as these act as a protective shield against those infection causing germs. And in case you are a dentist, then you have to be more conscious as you have to stick your hand into your patient's mouth, which calls for not only your protection but also the patient.
There are a variety of gloves available in the market. Latex gloves are highly preferred as these are strong and very much effective against infection during dental or any kind of surgical operation. These are made from natural rubber latex. But if you, like many other people, are allergic to latex and develop itching, skin rashes, sneezing, watery eyes or any other symptom on using it, you can go for nitrile gloves.
Nitrile gloves are a perfect substitution for the latex allergic people. These are made from synthetic rubber which is highly resistant to chemicals and acids. These have great flexibility and do not react with the chemicals, solvents, blood as they are highly sterilized. This is why this is more popular than other standard rubber gloves. Nitrile exam gloves are available in normal as well as longer sizes. The normal sized gloves comfortably fit onto the hands and allow flexibility in the movements of the fingers. These are ideal for those like the dentists who have to do mostly the hand work. The other ones are longer in length and generally extend up to the elbow.
These come in both forms, disposable and non disposable. Disposable ones are more preferred as it furthermore reduces the chance of getting infection. Powder is added to these disposable nitrile gloves to provide a smooth touch and if there are high risk of contamination, then you can go for the gloves without the powder as well. These have also gained a lot of popularity among the dentists as compared to the common latex ones.
As far as the cost is concerned, these might be a little costlier than the latex ones but are still affordable, as these have longer life than the natural latex ones. Nitrile exam gloves also come with textured fingertips, non slip grip for providing comfort while doing wet work and interlock liners for extra strength. You can buy these gloves from any walk in medical stores or online stores. These are mostly available in a pack of about 100 pieces.
The author of this article is associated with EQplus, a leading supplier of Nitrile gloves, Nitrile exam gloves and other healthcare produ
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Latex Exam Gloves and Latex Allergies
Disposable latex gloves are important pieces of work gear for many people, most notably doctors and other health care professionals. And, unfortunately, latex allergies are becoming more and more common, due in part to the widespread use of the material in hospitals.
Latex exam gloves, though very useful in preventing contact with any number of unpleasant substances, can cause Type I and Type IV hypersensitivity reactions, as well as irritant contact dermatitis. The type of latex that causes these allergic reactions is used in far more than just medical exam gloves--over 40,000 products, from balloons to Band-Aids to bowling balls, use some form of latex--so it's important to know how to spot a latex allergy to avoid any potentially serious complications.
You may have been born with a latex allergy, but unless you're regularly and repeatedly exposed to latex, you probably haven't noticed. Getting poked and prodded by a doctor's latex glove-encased hand at your yearly physical probably won't trigger the onset of your allergy, but being a doctor and wearing the gloves every day probably will. Also, if you're at the hospital frequently, say for multiple surgeries or if you often visit a habitually ill friend (and you like to steal gloves), it's likely that a latex allergy will be triggered.
Strangely enough, people with allergies to fruits such as bananas, kiwis, and pineapples are often also allergic to latex, so if any of these fruits cause allergic reactions, you may have a latex allergy as well-the fact that these fruits were likely handled by someone wearing latex gloves at some point surely doesn't help. Allergic reactions can range from minor, immediate skin irritation, to a delayed-reaction skin rash similar in severity and discomfort to poison ivy exposure, to immediate and potentially life-threatening anaphylaxis (similar to deadly bee-sting allergies).
As with most allergens, avoidance is the best way to prevent latex allergy flare ups. But, if you work in a hospital or dentist's office and use disposable gloves regularly, or work in one of the many other occupations that involve frequent latex exposure (a balloon factory, perhaps), it's likely nigh-impossible for you to avoid it. There are other options, however.
Some varieties of latex exam gloves are made with low levels of allergy-inducing proteins-these aren't 100% safe for the latex-allergic, but are far less likely to cause irritation. Powder-free latex exam gloves have been shown to greatly reduce airborne latex particles, which can be helpful in preventing the onset of a latex allergy. There are also several varieties of non-latex exam gloves, which offer similar levels of protection without the danger of any allergic reaction. If you're one of the many people who suffer from latex allergies, fear not--your day's work as a doctor, dentist or balloonsmith does not have to be an unpleasant, allergenic affair.
Latex exam gloves, though very useful in preventing contact with any number of unpleasant substances, can cause Type I and Type IV hypersensitivity reactions, as well as irritant contact dermatitis. The type of latex that causes these allergic reactions is used in far more than just medical exam gloves--over 40,000 products, from balloons to Band-Aids to bowling balls, use some form of latex--so it's important to know how to spot a latex allergy to avoid any potentially serious complications.
You may have been born with a latex allergy, but unless you're regularly and repeatedly exposed to latex, you probably haven't noticed. Getting poked and prodded by a doctor's latex glove-encased hand at your yearly physical probably won't trigger the onset of your allergy, but being a doctor and wearing the gloves every day probably will. Also, if you're at the hospital frequently, say for multiple surgeries or if you often visit a habitually ill friend (and you like to steal gloves), it's likely that a latex allergy will be triggered.
Strangely enough, people with allergies to fruits such as bananas, kiwis, and pineapples are often also allergic to latex, so if any of these fruits cause allergic reactions, you may have a latex allergy as well-the fact that these fruits were likely handled by someone wearing latex gloves at some point surely doesn't help. Allergic reactions can range from minor, immediate skin irritation, to a delayed-reaction skin rash similar in severity and discomfort to poison ivy exposure, to immediate and potentially life-threatening anaphylaxis (similar to deadly bee-sting allergies).
As with most allergens, avoidance is the best way to prevent latex allergy flare ups. But, if you work in a hospital or dentist's office and use disposable gloves regularly, or work in one of the many other occupations that involve frequent latex exposure (a balloon factory, perhaps), it's likely nigh-impossible for you to avoid it. There are other options, however.
Some varieties of latex exam gloves are made with low levels of allergy-inducing proteins-these aren't 100% safe for the latex-allergic, but are far less likely to cause irritation. Powder-free latex exam gloves have been shown to greatly reduce airborne latex particles, which can be helpful in preventing the onset of a latex allergy. There are also several varieties of non-latex exam gloves, which offer similar levels of protection without the danger of any allergic reaction. If you're one of the many people who suffer from latex allergies, fear not--your day's work as a doctor, dentist or balloonsmith does not have to be an unpleasant, allergenic affair.
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