Children's Hospital Medical Center is one of the first hospitals in the Cincinnati area to have eliminated all powdered gloves from its operating rooms, recovery rooms and other surgical areas. Latex allergy is a reaction to proteins found in natural rubber latex, and powder on gloves is the main carrier of latex proteins in the air.
Allergic responses can range from mild skin irritation to life-threatening anaphylactic shock.
It is estimated that 10 to 20 percent of healthcare providers are allergic to latex, with the number steadily growing. Manufacturers use powder to line latex gloves so they are easier to slip on. As the powder is dispersed into the air, people breathe it and absorb the latex proteins. Since healthcare workers are exposed on a daily basis, they are most at risk for developing sensitivity to latex. In addition, sensitivity to latex is cumulative, so that with increased exposure, allergic reactions intensify.