Glove powder is a dry lubricant. It allows hands to glide easily into gloves and it's also used during manufacturing to prevent gloves from sticking together, according to Mel Stratmeyer of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in an article titled "Medical Glove Powder Report." Clinical studies suggest that glove powder on medical gloves is a carrier of natural latex allergens. The FDA has received requests to ban the use of glove powder and an alert by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health recommends the use of powder-free, low protein content latex gloves to help prevent latex allergies, according to Stratmeyer.
Potential Complications
Complications from glove powder includes latex allergy sensitivity, latex allergy reaction, post operative surgical site infection and adhesion formation, according to NurseZone.com. Glove powder significantly contributes to the development of latex allergies. It disperses natural latex protein into the air, which may cause allergies. Residual glove powder can delay post-operative wound healing, cause infection or the risk of adhesion.
Individuals Most at Risk
Individuals most affected by glove powder are health care workers, including nurses, doctors, laboratory and respiratory technicians. Also affected are patients who have had multiple procedures, and those with spina bifida and congenital genitourinary abnormalities because of their frequent contact with glove powder during medical treatments, according to the American College of Allergy Asthma and Immunology.
Latex Allergy Symptoms
Latex allergy symptoms can include sneezing, red-itchy eyes, runny nose, hives and itchy throat. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, latex allergy can develop into a serious systemic allergic reaction, including wheezing, difficulty breathing, coughing spells, gastro-intestinal and cardiovascular effects and anaphylactic attack. This is a serious medical emergency that requires immediate medical treatment.
Safety Advocates' Recommendations
Glove powder plays a significant role in the development of latex allergy. According to NurseZone.com, several health-care organizations such as the Association of PeriOperative Registered Nurses are advocates of the use of powder-free, low protein surgical gloves and the use of latex-free glove for patients or practitioners who have a sensitivity to latex.
Research
Results of a study published in 2009 in the American Journal of Medicine, reported that several hospital and clinics in the United States have banned the use of cornstarch-powdered examination and surgical gloves. The hospitals with this practice have seen a significant reduction in latex allergy incidence in their facilities.
References
- Food and Drug Administration: Medical Glove Powder Report
- Nurse Zone: Operating Room Nurses are Concerned about Complications Associated with Powdered Gloves
- American College of Allergy Asthma and Immunology: Guidelines for the Management of Latex Allergies and Safe Latex Use in Health Care Facilities
- Centers For Disease Control and Prevention: Contact Dermatitis and Latex Allergy
- National Institute of Health: Citizen's Petition to Food and Drug Administration to ban cornstarch powder on medical: Maltese cross birefringence
