title: Dangers of cornstarch powder on medical gloves: seeking a solution.
abstract: This article reviews information on the hazards of cornstarch powder on medical gloves. Dusting powders were first applied to latex gloves to facilitate donning. After 1980, manufacturers devised innovative techniques without dusting powder. It has been well documented that these powders on gloves present a health hazard to patients and health care workers by 5 different mechanisms. First, the glove cornstarch has documented detrimental effects on wound closure techniques. Second, this powder potentiates wound infection. Third, cornstarch induces peritoneal adhesion formation and granulomatous peritonitis. Finally, these powders serve as carriers as latex allergen and they precipitate a life-threatening allergic reaction in sensitized patients. These well-documented hazards of glove powder have caused the United Kingdom and Germany to ban cornstarch powder on medical gloves over 10 years ago.
authors: Departments of Plastic Surgery, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA, USA. richardedlich@gmail.com
authors: Richard F
authors: RF
authors: Edlich
authors: William B
authors: WB
authors: Long
authors: Dean K
authors: DK
authors: Gubler
authors: George T
authors: GT
authors: Rodeheaver
authors: John G
authors: JG
authors: Thacker
authors: Lise
authors: L
authors: Borel
authors: Margot E
authors: ME
authors: Chase
authors: Allyson L
authors: AL
authors: Fisher
authors: Shelley S
authors: SS
authors: Mason
authors: Kant Y
authors: KY
authors: Lin
authors: Mary J
authors: MJ
authors: Cox
authors: Robert D
authors: RD
authors: Zura
mesh_terms: D005932:Gloves, Surgical; D015386:Hazardous Substances; D006801:Humans; D020315:Latex Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011208:Powders; D013213:Starch / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D015386:Hazardous Substances; D011208:Powders; D013213:Starch