Latex4

PERSONAL SOLUTIONS FOR HEALTHY HANDS

What's your problem?

Hand irritations
Slippery gloves
Muscle Soreness and Fatigue
Latex Allergy

Hand Irritations

It is a proven scientific fact that most hand irritations are caused by:

1. Extractable latex protein and

2. Unleached chemical compounds

Powder, always the likely suspect, simply acts as a sponge in absorbing and transferring these materials from the inside of the glove to your skin. The first place to start in solving your hand irritation problem, or preventing it, is to use a clean glove - a product low in potential allergens. Wehmer gloves reduce allergenicity for you by:

Using premium quality latex
Elimination of known irritants from latex compounding
Using less powder
Triple washing during manufacture

The second step is to use a chlorinated Powder Free glove. It's not so much the absence of powder that makes a difference, but the way in which the powder is removed. Chlorination, the process which removes the powder, actually strips off the top layer of latex. This layer is where most of the allergens occur. The process also seals the glove surface, trapping any remaining trace allergens and rendering them harmless.

In a study performed at University of Iowa in 1994, 85 dental hygienists with severe dermatological reactions to latex glove wear were tested with our powder free gloves. 85% of those were able to experience significant improvement in their condition by using Wehmer Powder Free gloves. This is definitely a product that can solve most allergy problems associated with latex glove wear.

Slippery gloves

This problem falls into two categories:

1. Powder Free chlorinated gloves - the process by which the gloves are made powder free strips off a layer of latex and seals the surface of the glove. The result is an inherently slippery surface.

2. In orthodontic applications where very small appliance components must be manipulated in a wet field, the grip of smooth exam gloves is often compromised.

Both problems are solved by one solution - TEXTURE. Applying a bisque texture to the working surfaces of the glove minimizes the slippery syndrome. Texture is available on all WEHMER gloves, including The Gripper Low Powder Exam, Textured Powder Free, and TruFit Left and Right.

Muscle Soreness and Fatigue

Causes and Cures

Shape of the Glove - many inexpensive ambi gloves are manufactured with the thumb parallel to the fingers. This unnatural shape puts a lot of stress on the thumb muscles.

Wehmer's Flared Thumb design forms the thumb in a much more natural position, relieving your stress and relaxing your muscles. For sufferers of chronic hand pain and for symptoms of CTS (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome) the use of fitted left and right-handed gloves (TruFit) are indicated. This totally natural shape, formed to each hand totally eliminates external forces generated by the shape of the glove

Latex Thickness - The flat shape of ambidextrous formers is necessary to make these gloves fit both hands. This shape, however applies a continual force to your hand muscles, trying to pull them into this flat orientation - exactly opposite your hand's natural shape for grabbing and manipulating instrumentation. The thicker the latex, the greater the force of the pull. Wehmer gloves use a specially compounded soft latex, formed into an ultra-thin but strong glove film to minimize this negative force on your hands.

Latex Allergy

True latex sensitivity is reported to occur in less than 1% of the population. It is a condition which at it's most serious can result in death. Fortunately, there are no reports of death due to the use of latex gloves, however extreme care must be taken when treating a latex sensitive patient. Many healthcare professionals who claim an allergy to latex are experiencing sensitivity to high levels of latex protein and chemical additives in their gloves. Since many consumers base their glove purchasing decisions solely on price, there is an abundance of inexpensive, but dirty gloves on the market. Sensitivity is a cumulative process, and is not easily reversible. Many non latex alternatives that are within the budgets of practices and institutions severely compromise protection and functionality. We recommend that unless a latex allergy is corroborated by a physician, you should try a chlorinated Powder Free latex product. These gloves are still relatively economical, and will provide you with the protection and piece of mind to which you're accustomed from latex gloves.