General Glove Use
Can you use hand lotion under latex gloves?
It is recommended to use hand lotion in between or after glove use only. Use a hand cream or lotion that is water‑based and not petroleum‑ or oil‑based. Petroleum‑ or oil‑based lotions may deteriorate the barrier properties of the gloves.
Why do some gloves produce brown stains when you put them on?
This is usually caused by the chemical reaction between your skin and the gloves. Before putting on gloves, your hands might come in contact with copper, iron or metal material, such as coins, or you may have heavy acidic perspiration in your hands. These brown stains do not affect the barrier properties of gloves.
Do Omni gloves comply with the USDA requirements for safe use in food handling?
Omni gloves are safe to be used in all types of food preparation or handling procedures. The USDA does not establish any official regulatory requirement for approval of gloves, but follows the guidelines of the FDA’s specifications.
It has been known that products other than gloves which contain natural rubber latex – such as balloons, balls, toys that contain rubber material; rubber bands, hoses, boots and rubber parts of instruments; tires, erasers, mouse pads, helmets, condoms, etc. – may cause irritation or allergic reactions in some individuals.
Can we use general purpose gloves in a setting where person‑to‑person touch is used?
Wherever person‑to‑person or provider‑to‑patient touch is concerned, an examination‑grade glove – or “medical” glove – is to be used. General‑purpose gloves are not marked with either of those two words.
The FDA writes:
“Medical gloves are examples of personal protective equipment that are used to protect the wearer and/or the patient from the spread of infection or illness during medical procedures and examinations. Medical gloves are one part of an infection‑control strategy.”
The FDA specifies an AQL of 1.5 for surgical gloves and 2.5 for examination gloves; general‑purpose gloves often start at 4.0 AQL or higher.
Someone from our deli had a reaction to Methylisothiazolinone in 2017. Is this a chemical that can be found in food service gloves?
Omni International can assure you this chemical is not used in any gloves that we manufacture.
Manufacturing Gloves
What is a chlorination process in manufacturing gloves?
Chlorination is a process whereby chlorine, ammonia, water and other chemicals are utilized in the manufacturing of gloves. The chlorination process removes powder and breaks down latex proteins and chemical residues. Multiple washing and leaching steps then further reduce proteins and residues.
Poor chlorination can leave gloves brittle, weak, discolored, sticky or slippery—and with a strong chlorine odor. Chlorinated powder‑free latex examination gloves should not be used in dental applications.
What is pre‑oven leaching?
After dipping formers in latex, gloves go through pre‑oven leaching, which removes residual calcium nitrate and some natural rubber proteins.
What is post‑oven leaching?
Post‑oven leaching involves washing gloves with hot water after oven curing to remove remaining natural rubber proteins.
Latex Allergies
What are latex allergies?
Some individuals may experience allergic reactions when wearing or after wearing latex or plastic gloves. Products containing natural rubber latex—balloons, rubber bands, hoses, etc.—may cause irritation or allergic reactions ranging from itchy skin to anaphylaxis.
What do I need to know about latex protein levels?
ASTM and the FDA set a maximum of 200 µg/g latex protein per glove, with 50 µg/g as a common claim level. New ELISA tests may allow claims down to 10 µg/g or lower, but small differences should be treated cautiously.
Are gloves that have “hypoallergenic” claim safe for everyone?
No. As of September 30, 1998, the FDA banned “hypoallergenic” labeling on latex gloves because it’s misleading—latex protein sensitivity varies and the test used didn’t detect protein allergies.
What can you do to help relieve or treat Irritant Contact Dermatitis or Type IV hypersensitivity?
- Consult a physician, occupational health professional or dermatologist
- Use powder‑free, low‑chemical gloves
- Wear cotton or nylon liners
- Change gloves frequently
- Try different soaps
- Wear a larger size for air circulation
- Switch glove brands or types (latex, vinyl, nitrile)
- Use water‑based hand creams between/after glove use
Glove Powder & Latex Protein
Does glove powder cause latex allergies?
Glove powder itself isn’t an allergen, but it can absorb soluble proteins during manufacturing. Aerosolized powder can carry proteins into the air, leading to sensitization. Use low‑protein powder‑free gloves to minimize risk.
Why are powder‑free gloves less likely to cause reactions?
Powder removal (via chlorination) also reduces residual proteins, lowering allergy risk. Some processes just swap powder for coatings without reducing protein—so “powder‑free” doesn’t always mean low‑protein.
Are powder‑free gloves completely powder‑free?
ASTM defines powder as anything not passing a 2.7 µm filter. Powder‑free gloves may still contain microscopic debris but are limited to 4 mg per glove (soon to drop to 3 mg, then 2 mg).
Can using nitrile gloves eliminate allergic reactions?
Unlike latex, nitrile contains no latex proteins, so it avoids Type I latex allergies. However, some users report reactions to synthetic‑rubber antigens—so it’s not a universal solution.
Synthetic Gloves
How are synthetic vinyl gloves compared to latex gloves?
Vinyl (PVC) exam gloves are looser, less elastic, and offer weaker barrier protection than latex. Latex is more durable and flexible. Non‑latex options like vinyl, nitrile, or chloroprene are recommended for those with latex allergies—but Type IV chemical sensitivity can occur with any glove.