Latex gloves create a temporary, disposable barrier between the wearer’s skin and external contaminants, which is foundational to infection control. Proper technique for applying and removing these gloves is paramount to maintaining this barrier and preventing cross-contamination. Mishandling gloves can compromise their integrity or transfer infectious materials to the skin or environment. Understanding the correct procedure for donning and doffing maximizes safety and hygiene in any setting where protective gloves are required.
Essential Preparation Steps
Before donning gloves, preparatory steps ensure the barrier functions effectively. Hand hygiene is the starting point, requiring thorough washing with soap and water or use of an alcohol-based sanitizer to eliminate microorganisms. Hands must be completely dry before donning, as trapped moisture can promote bacterial growth and compromise the glove material’s strength.
Selecting the correct glove size is important for maintaining the physical barrier and wearer comfort. A glove that is too small stretches the latex, making it susceptible to tears and punctures. Conversely, a glove that is too large reduces dexterity and creates slack material that can catch objects or allow contaminants inside. Finally, visually inspect the glove packaging for tears, holes, or moisture damage to ensure the glove’s integrity prior to use.
Detailed Technique for Donning
Donning latex gloves must prioritize preventing the clean inner surface from touching external contamination. After opening the package, carefully lift the first glove by grasping the folded cuff edge, touching only the area that will contact the wrist. Slip the hand into the glove, pulling it up so the cuff remains folded over the wrist.
To don the second glove, use the gloved hand to handle the second glove’s outer surface. Slip the gloved fingers under the cuff of the second glove, touching only the outside of the latex. Insert the hand into the glove. Use the second gloved hand to unfold the first glove’s cuff over the wrist, ensuring the skin is covered. Adjustments should be made using the gloved hands to maintain the protective layer’s integrity.
Safe Removal and Disposal
Removing the gloves, known as doffing, requires a specific technique to prevent the contaminated exterior from touching the skin. The first step uses the “glove-on-glove” method: grasp the outside of one glove near the cuff with the opposite gloved hand. Pull the glove down toward the fingers, turning it inside out, and ball it up in the palm of the remaining gloved hand.
Next, use the “skin-to-skin” method for the second glove. Slide two ungloved fingers underneath the cuff of the remaining glove without touching the contaminated outer surface. Peel the second glove off inside out, encapsulating the first balled-up glove within it. Place the discarded latex immediately into the appropriate waste receptacle, using a biohazard container if necessary. Hand hygiene must be performed immediately after disposal to remove any potential contamination that may have occurred during removal.
Recognizing Latex Allergy and Alternatives
Latex is made from the natural rubber sap of the Hevea brasiliensis tree, and some individuals develop sensitivity to its proteins. Symptoms of a true latex allergy range from localized reactions like skin redness, hives, and itching, to more severe systemic issues, including wheezing, runny nose, or difficulty breathing. Anaphylaxis can occur in rare cases.
If these symptoms appear after using latex gloves, an alternative material should be used immediately. The two most common non-latex alternatives are nitrile and vinyl gloves. Nitrile gloves offer comparable puncture resistance and barrier protection to latex. Vinyl gloves are a less expensive alternative suitable for tasks involving minimal risk of exposure or tearing.