Nurses need to know the risks of latex in the health care setting to protect patients, latex-sensitized colleagues, and themselves. Since the late 1980s, the dramatic increase in the use of latex gloves as a barrier against blood-borne infections has contributed to the outbreak of latex allergies. Most gloves are powdered with cornstarch to facilitate their donning and removal. Patients and health care workers can become sensitized to latex through repeated skin or mucous membrane contact, or by inhaling aerosolized glove allergens. Continued exposure to latex allergens increases sensitization and worsens allergic reactions.
Oil breaks down the glove barrier, and releases additional allergens.
Glove users can wear oil-based products while away from work. Detergents and other chemicals similarly degrade latex. Gloves also cause irritant contact dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis, which are similar in appearance. Dry, crusty hard bumps, sores and horizontal cracks on skin may manifest as itchy dermatits on the back of the hands under the gloves. Occurs after a sensitization period.