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        New Message Board Archives >> 2005 General Board Posts >> Guess what I'm allergic to?
        
(Message started by: Lizzie2 on Nov 28^th, 2005, 10:59am)

Title: Guess what I'm allergic to?
Post by Lizzie2 on Nov 28^th, 2005, 10:59am

The gloves we use at work.

I thought my hands were getting raw from washing them so much at work. But as it turns out...I have what looks like 2nd degree burns from the glove line on my wrist down through my fingers. Also a red rash on my knuckles and open bleeding sores keep popping up. Plus they're so swollen it's ridiculous.

So our glove type?

Not latex!

They're non-latex, powder free synthetic nylon or something like that. So what in hell am I allergic to?

I've been using neosporin, A&D ointment, and today got gold bond cream...was using 2 creams from Origins designed for people who wash their hands constantly... I didn't realize it was an allergy though.

I stole 2 boxes of purple nitrile gloves from the ER last night...but now I have to wash my hands in cold water. I'm not even sure if the nitrile ones will help because right now they're really messed up!

Anyone have any ideas here? I have no clue what it is that I'm even allergic to in these gloves! They're actually called "Safe Skin" LOL

I think I'm allergic to my job.... that's gotta be it.

Carrie :)

Title: Re: Guess what I'm allergic to?
Post by Jasmyn on Nov 28^th, 2005, 11:15am

Hi Carrie, my daughter Dominique gets an allergic reaction similar to what you described from these woven plasters and certain bra elastics.

Maybe it is the compound they use in it that gives it its elasticity that causes this allergy.

Any type of cortisone cream will help but as you know over-use of cortisone cream makes the skin eventually very thin and sensitive.

There is a thing called Wey Powder that you can drink and apply to the effected area, it is really effective, the same with taking Flaxseed oil tablets everyday.

That is what we use and it seems to be working, use wound powder before you insert your hands in the gloves, here called Prickly Heat Powder, made somewhere in England.

Hope you get this solved soon.

Title: Re: Guess what I'm allergic to?
Post by nani on Nov 28^th, 2005, 11:18am

I've had that happen in situations where I have to wear gloves that make your hands sweat. It may not be an allergy, just a reaction to the moist heat. I used cortisone cream, and Lubriderm lotion. And take the time to let your hands dry as much as possible.
Good luck! hugs, nani

Title: Re: Guess what I'm allergic to?
Post by Lizzie2 on Nov 28^th, 2005, 11:19am

Thanks for the suggestions!

The biggest problem with barrier creams, powders, etc is that I actually do have to wash my hands probably at least 5 times an hour. I really think that's an accurate estimate at minimum.

So anything water-based washes off. And putting certain things on your hands after washing them and before touching the patient kinda defeats the purpose of washing them in the first place.

Last night I put the A&D on them and then would wash my hands so I could do my care...at least the A&D takes a little longer to wear off, and therefore I can wash my hands after putting it on and then touch the kid without an increased infection risk.

SUCH a catch-22. I can't find any info on allergy to these types of gloves. Only how these gloves are a great alternative to latex gloves, which are known to lead to allergies.

And I'm anaphylactically allergic to benedryl....which is a real shame at the moment!

I may have to take a picture...it's kinda funny that the burn looking part starts literally right at my wrist. Yeow...

Title: Re: Guess what I'm allergic to?
Post by cootie on Nov 28^th, 2005, 11:52am

I've known several people with that type allergic reaction to the latex gloves........esp the powder coated ones. Got friends in health care and my freind that does tattoo's wears them and was haveing trouble also and allergic. She orders some other type now. Plus if ya have em on all the time they irritate or rub skin being so tight.....so thin skinned people (people who's skin is irritated easily by friction and easily starts to rub raw) will have problems from the get go no matter what they use if they are worn tight like these gloves have to be. Have you tried any of the new spray or swab on waterproff plastic bandaids yet ? Clear liquid stuff and supposidly water proof. Wonder if you could apply it to your wrist areas for a while to let the skin settle down and not take all the friction that area would get the most ? Or some sort of protective thin wrist band that is softer like nylon and very thin to reduce wrist friction or make something out of nylons products ? Did that make sense ? Sumthin very thin and skin like to protect your skin and act like a FIRST layer. Maybe just for a while that would work to let your skin thicken up or continue wearing if not to protect the skin from 'any' friction where it starts at the wrist. If I get a rash it always spreads even tho it started in one specific spot cuz I scratch and irritate more of a larger area. Fantastic plastic Pam

I get irritation from bandaids or anything that is tight and rubs. Drives me nuts !!!

Title: Re: Guess what I'm allergic to?
Post by Lizzie2 on Nov 28^th, 2005, 11:57am

Well...I don't have hives, but the itchiness and rash is definitely getting worse. My forehead has a rash now and my eyes are itchy and burning.

What I can't find is any evidence that these gloves cause allergies. I'm at a very high risk for latex allergy or sensitivity due to the fact that I've spent weeks on end as a patient (where almost everything has some component of latex in it), I'm a health care worker, and I am anaphylactically allergic to other things already.

If the hives break out, I guess it's a trip to t he ER.

Who'da thought? This is painful. And itchy. And I've now been awake for 20 straight hours after working 6 days last week... I think I need a vacation...fast. LOL

Title: Re: Guess what I'm allergic to?
Post by cootie on Nov 28^th, 2005, 12:05pm

I take clariton over the counter for hives cuz once I get a rash from something I get to scratching all over in time and eyes burning the whole nine yards and become a big miserable mess. I think with furnaces running more now too cuz of the cold it dries the skin out further and dehydrates us......I get some sort of odd allgergy about twice a year and I will get hives here and there but then start to itch all over....and am notorious for itching and picking at sore spots too. My forehead and one half of my face has broke out several times and looked like SAND PAPER...that's how many tiny bumps I end up with sometimes or else just the big red hives. It was really bad last time. I started takeing clariton which 'helped'......and I applied cortizone cream to help SHED the skin faster. Once it seems to start it just gets worse and worse. Do you ever feel the pin prick sensations as if a sharp thin needle poked an area here and there but didn't break the skin. (or did that sound crazy ???) Hard to explain. I am STILL NOT POSITIVE what causes it. Seems your immune system just kind of lapses or sumthing happens......and stress NO MATTER WHAT TYPE it is does not help. You probly DO need a vacation Pam

I need a mental one...... :P

I can't spell either today.......or ever........ :P :P :P

Title: Re: Guess what I'm allergic to?
Post by Lizzie2 on Nov 28^th, 2005, 12:11pm

Yeah that pin prick thing totally makes sense. I get it from some of the neuro stuff I have, too - only then it feels more like some kind of sudden nerve firing that just went haywire. I think my immune system is wacked right now.

I take Zyrtec and use Flonase...I do'nt have my prescription out to see what the new thing is the ENT prescribed for me this morning. However, he said my post-op scan and exam could not be any better - and he wished more of his post-op patients had such good results. I asked him why I still can't breahte. He didn't have an answer except to prescribe a new allergy med. I had him look at my throat, and I've got tonsillitis with mucous pockets on my tonsils...but he didn't prescribe anything for that. Just said, "Call if it doesn't get better." Errrr.....ok.

The near nervous breakdowns I had almost every day for the past 2 or 3 weeks could have something to do with the stress?

Something's gotta give...and guess it was my inflammatory cascade. ;)

Title: Re: Guess what I'm allergic to?
Post by broomhilda on Nov 28^th, 2005, 8:52pm

Carrie, they make non latex gloves, ask at work if they can purchase them for you, also beware if you are allergic to latex, check (shhhhh) the condoms you use ;) Trust me on this one, there are many without latex out there...little more expensive but worth the non reaction ;;D

Hugs to you

Title: Re: Guess what I'm allergic to?
Post by Lizzie2 on Nov 28^th, 2005, 8:57pm

on 11/28/05 at 20:52:54, broomhilda wrote:

Reread my first post...they're not latex!

This is totally not fun. :(

Title: Re: Guess what I'm allergic to?
Post by broomhilda on Nov 28^th, 2005, 9:00pm

Crap my bad :-[ Saw latex and went with it, Carrie, see an allergist to maybe see what is going on, thats not good at all, sorry...

Hugs on over and anti itching well wishes

Title: Re: Guess what I'm allergic to?
Post by Opus on Nov 28^th, 2005, 9:07pm

Carrie,
It maybe the soap you are washing with, reacting with the gloves and creating something that is actually burning you, although if it is spreading that may not be the case. Another thought, a combination of vinyl soap and sweat, maybe powered gloves would be better to keep your hands dry. I hope that is the case, but you could conceivably be allergic to vinyl.

Opus/Paul

Title: Re: Guess what I'm allergic to?
Post by Lizzie2 on Nov 28^th, 2005, 9:10pm

This pic totally doesn't do it justice...but you can probably at least tell how swollen it is... :(

http://tinyurl.com/anmjr

Title: Re: Guess what I'm allergic to?
Post by clarence on Nov 28^th, 2005, 9:28pm

Carrie,

I saw this on Untold Stories of the ER on TLC. An ER Doc suddenly became the patient after having an allergic reaction to the gloves she was using. Like you, she thought it was her washing her hands. But she almost died, and it was the gloves. I don't know if they were latex or not. But just be careful.

Casey

Title: Re: Guess what I'm allergic to?
Post by cootie on Nov 28^th, 2005, 11:01pm

Plus yer hands get no air flow when ya have them things on so long and irritation starts. I think it works against itself and shit goes haywire OVER REACTIONG with this allgergic reaction stuff. Out of wack is probly kinda rite......plus ya probly gotta wash yer hands alot and moisture is trapped or residue.......but seems no air flow with plastic gloves on "would" create the situation or make it worse if that made any sense. I will get them pin prick feelings all over and break out real bad on my face and neck and then it spreads to my sides and goes from there. Lasts a few weeks. I thought it was shampoo, conditioner or soap stuff or laundry stuff for a while but have gotten it so many times the past several years I know that's not what it is and that for sum reason I may become hyper allergic cuz of stress and WHATEVER. Even my hair will itch and it sumtimes starts out with my ears itching BAD. Wierd ass shit Pam

Could it be a short person ailment ? (jus jokein and hope ya feel better soon)

Title: Re: Guess what I'm allergic to?
Post by E-Double on Nov 29^th, 2005, 3:04pm

Sounds like you have Cooties!!! (no offense Pam)

Title: Re: Guess what I'm allergic to?
Post by Ghost on Nov 29^th, 2005, 3:13pm

OOOHHH OOOHHHH I have a plan.

Stick your hands one at a time of course into a cows butt and wiggle your fingers really hard ...

it wont do much for your hands but the cow will be happy! ;;D :o :o :o :o :o ;) [smiley=laugh.gif]

Title: Re: Guess what I'm allergic to?
Post by Lizzie2 on Nov 29^th, 2005, 3:14pm

Oh now I'm feeling nauseous too. Thanks a lot, Goat. The allergy already made me puke my brains out last night.....

What a lovely grotesque image. haha

[smiley=laugh.gif]

Title: Re: Guess what I'm allergic to?
Post by yikes-another-one on Nov 29^th, 2005, 6:15pm

Have you looked into the soap thing?

Also with the cold weather, keeping hands
covered while outside cna help them from chapping

My firends at the daycare have to wash with the
anti-microbial soaps too,and wear gloves to change the baby diapers.
seems the sensitive skin gets worse with the cold weather... its all the washing, Imsure of it...
rinsingoff the beneficialbacteria with the bad stuff...

hazard of the job, sorry you are suffering.
just keep slathing on the cream....

Title: Re: Guess what I'm allergic to?
Post by Cerberus on Nov 29^th, 2005, 9:22pm

We are required to use gloves at our work, and have to carry two kinds because our general manager is allergic to the non-allergenic gloves, irony is she wears the latex ones.

The gloves we normally use are vinyl and are powder coated too. Some seem to have some sort of adverse reaction (not as severe as what you are describing) but I believe it is more to do with the powder coating used to make them easier to put on and take off. They also suck real bad when its exceptionally hot because they really don't "breathe". Part of your problem I suspect is actually the moisture from wearing them combined with the coating you might look into vinyl (non-powdered) gloves. Outside of that, I'm stumped.

'Bus