Latex glove disorders: a management strategy for reducing skin sensitivity

The use of latex gloves by health care workers has increased over recent years. Proteins within the latex gloves and chemical additives during the manufacturing process have been linked to allergic skin and systemic disorders. Evidence suggests that latex-related skin disorders are increasing. Unless more stringent measures to control prolonged contact with latex gloves are implemented, skin disorders will continue to increase. While employees have a professional responsibility to reduce longer contact with latex gloves and use other safer alternatives, employers may also contribute through better education provisions, more strict monitoring and control of glove usage and purchasing gloves that are safer. An Infection Control Nurse can support both employees and management by developing and supporting better education and guidance for glove usage and an Employee Health Nurse could provide better care and support to affected workers. Glove manufacturers should identify the level of each protein in their gloves, the health risks involved and undertake new research to produce more hypoallergenic gloves. Collaborative efforts among employees, employers, researchers and glove manufacturers are needed to prevent the spiraling latex health risks to health care workers getting worse.