Up to 17 percent of health care workers who regularly wear latex gloves have developed an allergy to them.
Latex allergies can be life-threatening.
Over time, your hands may become red and chapped, the skin may thicken and develop hard bumps or cracks. This is the most common health problem associated with wearing latex gloves. Irritant dermatitis is an irritation caused by repeated hand washing and wearing of gloves, especially powdered gloves. This is not an allergic reaction. Gloves may cause irritation both because the powder is an irritant and because your skin stays moist as you wear gloves for many hours during the day.