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1. How can I ensure proper hand care?
2. What kind of powder is used in Hedy products?
3. What should I know about latex allergies?
4. What quality standards does Hedy Canada meet?
5. Is my glove safe to use with chemicals? 1. How can I ensure proper hand care? There are several steps to proper hand care. These steps include changing of gloves regularly, using suitable hand cream, and proper glove usage.
Change Gloves Often
• Between every patient
• When the glove is torn, punctured or contaminated.
• After contact
with hydrocarbon
based products,
such as mineral
oil,petroleum
jelly or lanolin
(latex only)
• Frequently (every 15 - 30 minutes) during longer procedures.*
*The frequency of changing gloves depends upon the procedure, amount of contact with blood and body fluids, and the amount of contact with sharps and instruments.
Suitable Hand Creams Hydrocarbon based products contain mineral oils, petroleum or lanolin and are incompatible with latex. Only use water based moisturizing creams when you are wearing natural rubber latex gloves. Hydrocarbon based products are compatible with synthetic gloves such as nitrile and vinyl. Proper Glove Usage • Select a glove type that is best suited for your task.
• Examine each glove for irregularities or tears prior to donning.
• Select the correct glove size. This will reduce finger fatigue and the chances of tearing.
• Change your gloves frequently.
• Always wash and dry your hands thoroughly after each use.
• If you double glove, the inner glove is not a substitute for hand washing. Remove both pairs and wash your hands thoroughly before dealing with a new patient.
• Keep your fingernails neatly trimmed and remove hand jewelry.
• HEDY encourages the use of water-based hand moisturizers and barrier creams.
• Change latex gloves if you come into contact with a hydrocarbon based product.
• HEDY recommends that gloves be used within three years. The age of our gloves can be determined by looking for the manufacturing date printed on every box.
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2.
What
kind
of powder
is used
in Hedy
products?
The powder used for HEDY's gloves is USP absorbable cornstarch dusting powder. Because an allergy to cornstarch is highly unlikely, most powder related irritations are not real allergies but often symptoms of improper hand washing. Acceptable powder levels set out by ASTM are maximum levels and there are no minimums stipulated.
In addition, Hedy Canada also specifies a minimum powder content to ensure consistent ease of donning.
^ back to top 3. What should I know about latex allergies? HEDY recommends that individuals who suspect that they have become sensitized to latex consult a dermatologist. The information provided here is for educational purposes and is not substitute for medical advice from a licensed physician. It is important to know that powder free latex gloves are not suitable for individuals who have latex protein allergies. Irritation versus Allergy It is important for users to be aware that not all skin irritations are latex allergies. Several factors, such as scrubbing solutions, glove powder, antiseptics, improper washing, moisturizing lotions, topical creams and drying of hands may result in irritations. Generally, glove sensitivities can be attributed to simple irritation, chemical allergy, and/or latex protein allergy. Irritations (Non-Allergy) Symptoms:
• Itching, burning, redness (acute).
• Dryness, crusting, cracking, formation of hard bumps (chronic).
• Symptoms will present only on skin areas covered by the glove.
Possible Causes:
• Chemicals used in the manufacturing of gloves.
• Soaps, antiseptics, scrub solutions and disinfectants.
• Atmosphere - cold, wind, aridity.
• Improper hand washing and drying.
Treatments:
• Identify and discontinue use of causative factor
• Consider soaps etc. as well as the gloves as potential causes.
• Allow time for your hands to heal.
• Take steps to improve hand care practices.
Type IV or Contact Dermatitis (Chemical Allergy) Symptoms:
• May present as itching, dryness, redness, crusting, swelling, hives vesicles/blisters, papules and/or sores.
• Symptoms will present 1 - 2 days following contact.
• In chronic cases these symptoms may spread beyond the area of glove contact to other sites on the body.
• There is no respiratory or facial involvement, nor will the symptoms progress to anaphylaxis.
• These symptoms will diminish within two weeks of discontinuing use.
Possible Causes:
• Manufacturing chemicals.
• Soaps, detergents, antiseptics, and disinfectants.
• Other allergies and/or chronic eczema.
Treatment:
• Identify and discontinue use of causative factor.
• Allow time for your hands to heal.
• Consult with a dermatologist to select an alternative glove type (formulated for chemical allergies).
Type I (Protein Allergy) Symptoms:
• A rash or hives (urticaria) located anywhere on the body.
• Accompanying respiratory affection (wheezing, difficult breathing).
• Swelling of the facial area.
• Possible abdominal cramping, nausea and increased pulse.
• Symptoms will present within minutes of contact with a latex product.
Possible Causes:
• Natural Rubber Latex protein allergy.
• Cross reactivity to certain food allergies (kiwi fruit, bananas, chestnuts, avocado).
• Affection through skin contact, mucous membrane or wound contact, and/or injection aspiration.
Treatment:
• Identify and discontinue use of causative factor.
• Seek professional medical attention. Treatment with adrenaline/epinephrine may be required in the case of anaphylactic shock (rarely occurs).
• Diagnostic testing involves a Skin Prick Test.
• Avoid all contact with natural rubber latex, both at work and at home.
• Consult with a dermatologist to select an alternative glove type (latex free).
^ back to top 4. What quality standards does Hedy Canada meet? See Quality Assurance...here ^ back to top 5. Is my glove safe to use with chemicals? Different chemicals react differently with particular gloves. Due to this fact, it is important to insure that you are using the proper gloves for the chemicals that you are dealing with. Proper glove selection will insure that your hands are protected from harmful chemicals. The following PDF chart outlines specific chemicals and indicates which type of gloves are best suited for which chemicals. Chemical Resistance Chart ^ back to top Did we miss anything? Let us know if you have more questions!
email:
info@hedycanada.com or Contact us here.
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