Medical examinations are meant to be safe and comfortable for both patient and staff. For this reason, using disposable latex gloves is the preferred option of many medical offices, dental offices, laboratories, and veterinarians throughout Canada. While there are many benefits to using latex glove(s), there is also a potential concern: latex glove allergies.
What is an allergy to latex?
An allergy to latex gloves is a reaction to the proteins found in latex, which is a material made from the rubber tree. According to the Mayo Clinic, when you have a latex allergy, “your body mistakes latex for a harmful substance.” When this happens, your body responds by releasing histamines to fight the harmful substance.
What are latex allergy symptoms?
According to the Mayo Clinic, there are both mild and severe symptoms associated with an allergy to latex. Mild symptoms can include breaking out in hives or a rash, along with itchiness and redness where the skin has touched the latex proteins. Severe symptoms can include sneezing, coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, and in the most severe cases, anaphylactic shock and loss of consciousness, especially when the latex proteins have been inhaled.
How to minimize latex allergy glove risks in patients and medical staff
According to the Centers for Disease Control, powder-free latex gloves are the best option for supplying a medical office or laboratory with disposable latex gloves. Powder-free latex gloves minimize the risk of having the latex proteins adhere to the skin or enter the body through breathing, thus diminishing the chances of a reaction. This is vitally important when a patient or staff member could be unaware of a latex allergy. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. We also recommend having non-latex gloves on hand when dealing with a known latex allergy in a patient or staff member.
At NeoSource, we take latex allergies seriously. That’s why we only offer powder-free latex gloves along with other non-latex glove choices to supply your medical or dentist office, laboratory, or veterinary practice in Canada.
