What is Latex?
Which latex products cause allergic reactions?
What causes it, and who is affected?
Why the shift towards powder-free latex gloves? 
The shift away from powdered gloves.
What about Vinyl and Nitrile gloves?
What is the next step?

Latex is a milky fluid produced by rubber trees.  Using different methods, latex can be processed into products such as gloves, balloons, and a variety of components found in everyday household products and clothing.  During the manufacturing process, natural latex is vulcanized to develop its elastic properties.  This process requires the addition of chemicals that enhance the strength, durability and stretch of the final product.

All products manufactured of latex have the potential to cause allergic reactions.  Products made completely of, or from blends of, natural rubber, latex and other compounds are very common.  Rubber bands, tires, bathmats, and other items in our everyday lives contain latex.  Allergic reactions have primarily been associated with dipped latex products, like gloves, balloons, and condoms, primarily since these items are thinner and more easily stretched.  Also, direct skin contact is more common with these items.

The incidence of latex allergy appears to be a relatively new challenge.  The reasons for this are not clear, but may include use of latex gloves over the past decade.  During the late 1980's and 1990's many people used low quality gloves that were poorly compounded and improperly leached.  The occurrence of Type I allergy recently reported by some hypersensitive users is an IgE antibody mediated reaction to the antigens in the residual protein found in some latex products. 

Various reports claim that the level of allergy among healthcare workers is anywhere between 3-17%.  It is not always clear whether the allergic response is to latex gloves, latex proteins, chemicals or other antigens.   It is important to identify the source of the challenge.

In the terms of FORM, FIT,  FUNCTION, and COST  there is no reasonable alternative to latex gloves.  Latex gloves are still the gold standard for barrier protection.  However, many experts now suggest that people use low protein, low chemical gloves.  Standard on-line leaching techniques used in the manufacturing of most powdered latex gloves remove substantial amounts of water soluble residues, including proteins and chemicals.  However, even after effective on-line leaching there are still levels of proteins and chemicals that may be a source for sensitization and reaction.  This has created a shift towards powder free latex gloves.

Powder free latex gloves are subjected to on-line leaching as well as extensive off-line leaching.  Off-line leaching greatly reduces the soluble protein content in the gloves.  Lower protein contents generally reduces the probability of latex sensitivity challenges.

Quality glove manufacturers use a formulation with the least potential sensitizing chemicals at low levels and an effective leaching regiment to produce powder-free gloves with a lower allergen level.  Powder free gloves are a viable option for certain persons wishing to curtail their exposure to natural rubber latex proteins.

Donning powders, which are used to make gloves easier to pull on and keep them from sticking together, can act as a vehicle for transmission of latex proteins and other potential allergens, but are rarely the cause of the allergic reaction themselves.  The most commonly used donning powder is corn starch.  Powder free gloves eliminate the source of airborne allergens and contaminants.

Latex sensitivity has increased the interest in and the demand for vinyl and nitrile gloves.  The vinyl and nitrile gloves +AMMEX distributes are manufactured using no natural rubber latex proteins.  They are suitable alternatives for persons concerned about latex sensitivity issues associated with latex gloves.  However, it should be pointed out that vinyl gloves do not appear to provide barrier protection as effective as latex.  Nitrile gloves have the same fit and feel as latex, but they are more expensive.  One may wish to weigh barrier protection against latex sensitivity.

The key point to remember is that the majority of people using latex gloves are not sensitized.   However, the cumulative effects of prolonged usage of latex gloves with high levels of both latex proteins and chemical allergens may lead to sensitization.  Take precautions, investigate the type of gloves you are using and where it is manufactured.   The goal is to avoid becoming sensitized.  Please call us if you have any questions, concerns, or if you require more information or samples.