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| 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)
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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]
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