How should health care workers who wear latex gloves take care of their hands?
It’s important to keep your hands as free from irritation as possible. Here are a few suggestions for taking care of your hands: • After washing your hands with soap or cleanser, make sure to rinse thoroughly. • Dry hands thoroughly but gently before putting on new gloves. • Moisturizers may help combat dryness, but if you use a moisturizer, it must be water based. Oil-based or petrolatum-based products may damage latex and decrease the protective barrier of the glove. U-M Occupational Health Services can give you a sample of a product we use, which can be ordered through your department. • If you use a moisturizer, make sure not to contaminate the containers. Individuals should have their own tube of moisturizer and should not share with others. • Always wash hands before putting on moisturizer. What should I do if I am having problems with gloves or concerns about latex allergy? If you have any concerns or are experiencing rashes or breathing problems that you think may be related to