Gloves?

[Purnendu]

I need advice and suggestions.....I have a massage therapist at work who recently had a few biopsies done by her dermatologist on her hands. She's a nervous wreck about having to wear gloves until her hands heal....does anyone have a certain type of glove that you have used that you AND clients like? Latex? She's afraid clients are going to complain. Thanks!

 

[Illyria]

Gloves?

For TMJ intra-oral work, I use nitrile gloves. I have not used gloves to work on a client for regular bodywork.

I just did a google search and found this for you. It may be useful.

Nitrile gloves are made of synthetic latex. They contain no latex proteins and offer excellent resistance to punctures and tears. Nitrile gloves are three times more puncture resistant than rubber and can be used to offer superior resistance to many types of chemicals.

Unlike other latex gloves, nitrile gloves have low resistance to friction and are very easy to slide on. There are a few other reasons that nitrile gloves are more popular than other latex or vinyl gloves, including a higher degree of flexibility and superior solvent resistance. When choosing a glove, there are a few points to consider. You should consider how much protection you need, the glove's quality and how it is made, and whether you have any allergic reactions to the glove’s material.

In the manufacturing process of latex, vinyl and nitrile gloves, there are standard measurements applied to the gloves. In order to rate the protective qualities of the glove, they are graded from 1 to 3. The glove that receives a medical grade means that it has received the highest protection rating. These gloves are rigorously tested to pass FDA requirements.

The next grade is the high-risk category. These are used in the emergency medical service fields, such as paramedics. A very high level of testing is required in order to assure the proper requirements are reached.

The next level is the utility grade. These are not intended to be used in the medical field and they are not tested to any FDA specifications. However, these gloves are recommended for jobs that require hand protection, such as painting. The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) regulates the standards of utility grade gloves.

To all who are suffering from contact dermatitis from the chemical accelerators used in manufacturing nitrile gloves, try switching to an accelerator free nitrile glove with low dermatitis potential. Many find they can wear this kind of non-latex glove. One brand to try is HandPro Aspen2100AF from Hourglass Industries, Inc.

I had an itch caused by vinyl gloves so now I wear cotton gloves underneath the vinyl gloves and there is no more problem. This may not work for everyone but it is a drug-free, ointment-free solution; a mechanical solution.

 

["Princess"]

Gloves?

I would suggest avoiding latex for the simple fact that a lot of people are sensitive to latex, possibly including the therapist. Reading over pueppi's search results, ntrile seems a good choice. While I haven't given a massage using gloves, I did receive one from a student who had the same thing done on his hands. Even knowing before-hand that he would be using gloves, I couldn't tell a difference during the massage. He was using pure jojoba so I don't know if a lighter oil or lotion/cream would make any difference. I also don't know if they were latex or something different.

 

[smile]

Gloves?

I have used gloves occassionally either due to a cut on my hand or due to a skin condition the client had. For the most part, I was the one who "noticed" the gloves more than the clients.

 

[KainPhoenix]

Gloves?

Being super-sensitive, I have so far avoided gloves when my fingers were cut, for example. I put on plasters and do a no-hands massage.

 

[artmeistro]

Gloves?

I put on plasters and do a no-hands massage.

I am unfamiliar with the term "plasters". Could you clue me in?

 

[SMARTi3 - H0W U DURRiN!!!]

Gloves?

I have used gloves often and some clients don't even seem to notice. Just make sure the gloves fit well. I had to go to one specific store to find smalls.

 

[Mr. Football]

Gloves?

Plaster are brit-speak for band aids.

 

[Keyshon B]

Gloves?

Plaster are brit-speak for band aids.

Thanks!