Health care workers and surgery patients who have skin reactions to surgical gloves and soap are usually allergic to the latex in the gloves and to the strong antibacterial agents used to make the soap. Skin irritations can range from mild to severe. Some health care workers may also be allergic to the powder used inside the gloves to make them easier to slide on. Respiratory problems can result in individuals who are allergic to this powder.
Surgical Soap
Most surgical soap is Hibiclens, an antimicrobial, antiseptic skin cleaner that contains chemicals strong enough to eliminate infection-causing germs. One such chemical, chlorhexidine, is a potent antiseptic that kills both gram negative and gram positive bacteria as well as enveloped viruses -- those ready to bud and infect other cells -- and mold spores -- airborne "seeds" of fungus and mold -- that cause Legionnaire's disease and tuberculosis. Most human, bacteria-based illnesses are caused by gram-positive bacteria, while gram-negative are less common forms associated with meningitis and pneumonia spread by hospital ventilators. While dangerous in high amounts, chlorhexidine is safe in minimal concentrations and can be found in a variety of items such as mouthwash and cleaning solutions for contact lenses. Other ingredients in Hibiclens include isopropyl alcohol, Red 40 and purified water.
Allergic Reaction Symptoms to Surgical Soap
An allergic skin irritation to surgical soap initially produces redness and itching -- and possibly swelling if it's severe enough. This is referred to as contact dermatitis and is usually resolved by not using surgical soap and by thoroughly rinsing the area with clean water. Skin inflammation may not appear until several hours after using the soap. If contact dermatitis symptoms do not ease, using a hydrocortisone cream or an antihistamine may help alleviate redness and itching.
Surgical Gloves
Surgical gloves are made from rubber, also called latex, that is a mixture of plant-produced compounds called caticifers. The majority of the rubber originates from trees grown in South America and Malaysia. These gloves have a dusting of powder on them so surgeons can slide the gloves over their sterilized hands. Individuals can be allergic to latex, the powder or both, but powdered gloves seem to exacerbate latex allergies by dispersing natural latex proteins. Patients who are allergic to glove powder may also suffer from delayed would healing and infection.
Surgical Glove Allergy Symptoms
Health care workers who wear surgical gloves can experience symptoms of contact dermatitis such as itching, redness and swelling. Some people who are allergic to latex are often allergic to other items containing latex such as shoes, rubber bands and balloons. Sneezing, coughing, wheezing and trouble breathing are mild to moderate symptoms of glove powder allergy, but in more serious cases anaphylactic shock can result.
References
- American College Of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology; Guidelines For The Management Of Latex Allergies And Safe Latex Use In Health Care Facilities; Gordon Sussman, M.D., Milton Gold, M.D.
- Centers For Disease Control And Prevention; Contact Dermatitis And Latex Allergy
- NurseZone.Com: Operating Room Nurses Are Concerned About Complications Associated With Powdered Gloves
- U.S. Food And Drug Administration; Medical Glove Powder Report; Carol Herman
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