An Analysis of Gloving Materials
A Self-Study Guide

History of Gloves Gloves are the most common barrier used by healthcare personnel to prevent the transmission of potentially pathogenic microorganisms between themselves and their patients. Since their introduction by William Stewart Halstead in the late 1800s, medical gloves made of natural rubber latex (NRL), commonly referred to as “latex,” have come to be accepted as effective tools for preventing the transmission of infectious microbes between healthcare workers and patients. They also protect workers’ hands from dangerous chemicals, disinfectants, and detergents. In the early 1990s, concerns about the spread of bloodborne pathogens, such as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the hepatitis B virus (HBV), dramatically increased the use of medical gloves. Coincidental with the increase in glove usage, healthcare professionals became aware of an increased number of adverse reactions to latex gloves, such as: Simple irritation reactions, often related to inadequate skin care and friction caused by glove donning powder Allergic contact dermatitis, most often attributed to chemicals added to latex during the glove manufacturing process Immediate allergic reactions, which most researchers agree are related to naturally occurring proteins found in latex Increasingly, medical professionals recognize the ramifications of latex allergies and are taking precautions to avoid sensitizing themselves and their staff to latex. One manner in which this can be accomplished is by carefully selecting surgical and examination gloves to minimize exposure to latex allergens.

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