 |
| LETTER |
|
|
|
| Year : 2018 | Volume
: 64
| Issue : 1 | Page : 67-68 |
Powdered gloves: Time to bid adieu
S Srinivasan
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore
| Date of Web Publication | 30-Jan-2018 |
Correspondence Address:
S Srinivasan
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital
Singapore
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/jpgm.JPGM_583_17
How to cite this article:
Srinivasan S. Powdered gloves: Time to bid adieu. J Postgrad Med 2018;64:67-8 |
I read the article on powdered gloves by Baid and Agarwal with interest.[1] The authors have highlighted the hazards of the powder in the gloves and the need for a ban of powdered gloves. Awareness of the harmful effects of powdered gloves among healthcare workers in Asia is still low. Powdered gloves usually contain cornstarch powder which is added as a donning agent. The powder adsorbs the latex particles and behaves as a carrier, which predisposes to allergy.[2] The amount of powder used in gloves varies. Some of the gloves used in hospitals and health centres in India have very high powder content [Figure 1]. | Figure 1: Powder on the hand of the operator after removing the powdered latex glove
Click here to view |
Alternatives to powdered latex gloves [Figure 2]a include nonpowdered latex gloves [Figure 2]b and nonlatex gloves. The various types of gloves are listed in [Table 1]. Nonpowdered latex gloves are a suitable alternative for healthcare workers who do not have latex allergy. Sterile nitrile gloves are not widely available. Nitrile and vinyl gloves are usually used in nonsterile setting. Nitrile gloves [Figure 2]c are highly resistant to tear. They are usually blue or black in color, and if there is a needle puncture, it is easily visible. Vinyl gloves (not shown) are usually transparent and fit loosely. For people with latex allergy, sterile nitrile gloves are the glove of choice; vinyl gloves can be worn in nonsterile environment and when handling nonhazardous material. | Figure 2: Various types of gloves available in the market (a) powdered latex gloves, (b) nonpowdered latex gloves which can be dark brown or yellow, (c) nitrile gloves (usually blue)
Click here to view |
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
| :: References | |  |
| 1. | Baid R, Agarwal R. Powdered gloves: Time to bid adieu. J Postgrad Med 2017;63:206.  [ PUBMED] [Full text] |
| 2. | Edlich RF, Long WB 3 rd, Gubler DK, Rodeheaver GT, Thacker JG, Borel L, et al. Dangers of cornstarch powder on medical gloves: Seeking a solution. Ann Plast Surg 2009;63:111‑5. |
[Figure 1], [Figure 2]
[Table 1]
| This article has been cited by | | 1 |
A Review of Current Interventions for COVID-19 Prevention |
|
| Deepak Pradhan, Prativa Biswasroy, Pradeep Kumar Naik, Goutam Ghosh, Goutam Rath | | Archives of Medical Research. 2020; 51(5): 363 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | |
|
|
|
|
