Allergic Reactions to Gloves: It’s Not Just about Latex
According to Medical Director and SmartPractice CEO, Curt Hamann, MD, your skin is your most important protection against pathogens. But if you’re sensitive to some of the chemicals used throughout the dental office, you can compromise your best protective barrier. The result? Redness, itching, cracked skin—or worse.
It’s common for dental workers to blame latex for the host of allergies and irritations that they experience at work. In a lot of cases, latex isn’t the culprit. Often, the cause for irritation is the accelerators commonly used to make both latex AND non-latex gloves: specifically, carbamates and thiurams.
To Eliminate Allergies & Irritations—Get a Diagnosis!
It can’t be overstated that you need a diagnosis from a qualified physician to know for sure what’s causing your symptoms. Still, it’s important to be mindful of the following triggers:
- Moisture: Moisture from sweat, frequent handwashing and other products used in the operatory can irritate the skin.
- Disinfectants: Soaps and various cleaning products can harm the skin should workers be allergic to or irritated by any of their ingredients.
- Gloves: Fragrances, antioxidants and accelerators can cause allergies and irritations.
Get a Premium Glove Solution
Reflection® Sapphire™ Blue Sensitive Nitrile Exam Gloves offer superior fit, feel and performance. These premium gloves provide the barrier protection and comfort your entire staff will love. They’re thin, yet strong and stretchy. Molding to your hands’ natural shape, their unique nitrile formulation relieves finger and thumb pressure. SmartPractice exclusive formula makes Reflection Sapphire Sensitive a great alternative for those sensitive to latex and many of the chemicals commonly used to manufacture latex and non-latex gloves.
They’re not manufactured with these:
- Natural Rubber Latex
- Carbamates
- Thiurams
- Thioureas
- Dithiocarbamates
- Benzothiazoles
- Guanidines
Are you struggling with skin allergies and irritations in your office? Visit contactdermatitisinstitute.com/find-physician.php to locate a qualified patch testing physician near you.
