The Impact of Hand Sanitizers on Nitrile Gloves: A Healthcare Professional's Perspective

Hand sanitizers are a common tool used in various industries, including healthcare, to maintain hygiene. However, when used with nitrile gloves, they can cause a myriad of issues. This article explores the challenges faced by healthcare professionals and the reasons behind the use and misuse of hand sanitizers with nitrile gloves.

The Chemistry of Nitrile Gloves and Hand Sanitizers

Hand sanitizers contain alcohol, detergents, and sometimes oils, known as hand softeners. These components interact with the chemicals used in the manufacturing of nitrile gloves, called accelerators. Accelerators, such as thiurams, do not significantly affect the cost or production time of nitrile gloves, making them a standard in many settings.

Accelerators in Nitrile Gloves

Other than latex, most nitrile gloves used in emergency departments (EDs) are made with accelerators. These chemicals enhance the curing process and can be difficult and expensive to eliminate from the manufacturing process. The result is that the majority of nitrile gloves used in healthcare settings contain these accelerators.

Impact on Healthcare Professionals

When a healthcare professional uses hand sanitizer prior to wearing nitrile gloves, the alcohol, detergents, and oils from the sanitizer will leach the remnant accelerator residues from the gloves onto the skin. This can lead to severe contact dermatitis, characterized by red, swollen, and peeling skin. Symptoms can develop within two days, leading to productivity loss for several days.

Alternatives to Hand Sanitizers

Nitrile gloves that are made without accelerators or with virtually undetectable levels of them do exist but are more expensive. Healthcare institutions often prioritize cost over the well-being of their staff. As a result, many nurses and healthcare workers suffer from the consequences, but only a minority report these issues to management.

Personal Experiences and Workarounds

Many healthcare professionals have had personal experiences with the adverse effects of using hand sanitizers with nitrile gloves. Some have turned to alternatives like washing their hands with soap, which is more effective and less harmful to the skin. Others have resorted to using their own gloves, but this can be inconvenient and logistically difficult.

Advocacy and Solutions

There is a need for greater awareness and action from hospitals and healthcare institutions regarding the use of acceleration-free gloves. While such gloves might only benefit a small number of individuals, the improvement in the health and well-being of the workforce could be significant.

Conclusion

This article aims to shed light on the challenges faced by healthcare professionals due to the interaction between hand sanitizers and nitrile gloves. It emphasizes the importance of exploring alternatives and taking measures to protect the well-being of healthcare workers.

Keywords: hand sanitizers, nitrile gloves, contact dermatitis, healthcare, hygiene