Using medical gloves

• Wash your hands before putting on sterile gloves.
• Make sure your gloves fit properly for you to wear them comfortably during all patient care activities.
• Some people are allergic to the natural rubber latex used in some medical gloves. FDA requires manufacturers to identify on the package labeling the materials used to make the gloves. If you or your patient is allergic to natural rubber latex, you should choose gloves made from other synthetic materials (such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), Nitrile, or polyurethane).
• After removing gloves, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub.
• Never reuse medical gloves.
• Never wash or disinfect medical gloves.
• Never share medical gloves with other users.

On January 18, 2017, the FDA published a final rule banning powdered gloves based on the unreasonable and substantial risk of illness or injury to individuals exposed to the powdered gloves. The risks to both patients and health care providers when internal body tissue is exposed to the powder include severe airway inflammation and hypersensitivity reactions. Powder particles may also trigger the body’s immune response, causing tissue to form around the particles (granulomas) or scar tissue formation (adhesions) which can lead to surgical complications.