One of your first steps may be to switch to powder-free surgical gloves. But what happens if the problem continues? You may then convert to surgical gloves not made with natural rubber latex. But what else could be causing this problem?

This type of skin reaction can be caused by other materials used in glove manufacturing, including a group of chemicals called accelerators, which can cause Type IV allergic reactions.⁷

Contact dermatitis (along with other occupational skin diseases) is the second-most common occupational disease, projects the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.⁸

Clinically, a Type IV allergy appears as a red, raised and palpable area at the point of contact with the glove, accompanied by subjective symptoms such as itching, burning and tingling. Additional symptoms include: erythema, swelling, cracking, weeping and dryness of the skin at the site of contact although dermatitis may extend beyond the area of contact.

• The Type IV response begins when the antigens (such as residual chemicals leached from the glove in one’s own perspiration) penetrate the skin, triggering the formation of T cells sensitized to the specific antigens.
• Repeated exposure to the antigen in allergic individuals results in the re-activation of sensitized T cells and the production of an inflammatory response causing the Type IV symptoms.
• These effects typically appear anywhere from six to 48 hours following exposure to the antigen containing product and can last up to four days.

Learn more about DermAssure Green surgical gloves.