Every health and dental professional understands the importance of gloves. They are worn for hours each day, often changed dozens of times between patients, and are a cornerstone of infection control. But while they protect, they can also be the cause of skin problems.
From minor irritation to severe allergic reactions, glove-related dermatitis remains a serious occupational health issue. The good news: selecting the right gloves, particularly accelerator-free options, can significantly reduce these risks.
What does Accelerator-Free mean?
In glove manufacturing, chemical accelerators are typically used to speed up the vulcanization process that gives gloves their flexibility, strength, and elasticity. While effective, these accelerators are also known triggers for allergic reactions in many healthcare workers.
Understanding the Reactions these Chemicals May Cause
Although dryness and irritation are to be expected after a long day of glove wearing, for some people the reactions can go far beyond minor discomfort.Â
Type I AllergyÂ
Triggered by natural rubber latex proteins, this reaction appears within minutes and can cause hives, swelling, or even anaphylaxis. While less common today due to widespread latex-free adoption, it remains potentially severe.
Type IV AllergyÂ
Is more subtle but increasingly common. This delayed reaction is caused not by latex but by the chemical accelerators used in glove production. Redness, itching, and blistering may appear hours after use (JAMA Dermatology).
Irritant Contact DermatitisÂ
The most common glove-related issue, this is not an allergy but a breakdown of the skin barrier caused by friction, sweating under gloves, or frequent handwashing. Although milder, it can pave the way for allergic sensitization
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The Solution
The solution is clear: accelerator-free gloves.
Accelerator-free gloves are engineered without the common chemicals that trigger Type IV allergies. Studies show that when healthcare workers with dermatitis switched to accelerator-free alternatives, symptoms often resolved JAMA Dermatology, 2003.
Although accelerator-free gloves avoid the chemical processes used in traditional manufacturing, they still meet strict standards for barrier protection and tactile performance — making them fully reliable for procedures that demand precision and sensitivity Shield Scientific.
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The Takeaway
Healthy hands are essential to any industry. Reactions — whether immediate, delayed, or just an irritant — are more than inconveniences; they can compromise wellbeing and clinical care.
Latex-free is no longer enough. Accelerator-free gloves are the next step in protecting healthcare and dental professionals along with the patients they serve.
Transcend®
A glove designed with intention. Accelerator-free, precise, and dependable — created for professionals who demand more from their protection. Experience the specialist edge with Transcend.
