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Posted for Robert Forest <N295P@aol.com>:

On the subject of Latex gloves
About 5% of the population is allergic to Latex (usually so mild that it is
mistaken for something else).  One always thinks of Latex gloves as the
source so, if I'm not a healthcare worker, no problem? Wrong, Latex is in
many clothing articles so that everyone is exposed.

Secondly, Latex is a natural product (rubber tree sap) and is a mishmash of
proteins. The cheaper the gloves and the more powder on them, the more likely
you can be sensitized. The powder is a great vehicle for transferring the
sensitizing proteins to your skin or into your lungs when you snap 'em on.
Many hospitals now use powderless micro-textured Latex gloves or better still
have gone to Vinyl or Nitrile (bluish-green) gloves.
So your hand rash might be from components of the epoxy, such as potent
amines, but it could be the Latex. It takes a few days away from Latex to
have your hands get better. You may wish to consider Nitrile gloves for a
time and if the rash does not return, do not go back to Latex.
Nitrile gloves come in various sizes and fit as nice as Latex ones, not
floppy like the Vinyl ones. They are disposable and not to be re-used as they
will eventually let amines through, even though better than Latex in this
regard. Any big drugstore chain will carry them.

Robert Forest (M.D.) N295P

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Please send your photos and drawings to marvkaye@olsusa.com.