Being in a hospital isn’t pleasant at all. Likewise, if you have sensitive skin and prone to allergies, it’s important to ensure that the medical equipment, tools, and items that would be used on you are considered to be safe and hypoallergenic. That said, here are some of the most common hypoallergenic hospital items that you should keep an eye on, and request form if you are prone to allergies.
1. Shoe Covers
During your hospital stay, you’ll have visitors who would go in an out of your room– that’s why hypoallergenic shoe covers are important. In medical settings, spills could occur when you least expect it. To prevent stains as well as unsanitary conditions that could trigger allergic reactions, shoe covers play in important role. Usually, the hypoallergenic ones are available in ‘one size fits all.’
2. Protective Wear
Hypoallergenic protective wear is perfect for medical staff that easily suffer from allergies, or sensitive to certain elements. It’s a specialized equipment that promotes personal safety in situations or locations where physical hazards or the risk of infectious disease is quite high.
In a healthcare setting, exposure to saliva, blood, and other bodily fluids, as well as airborne pathogens are quite common. Thus, the medical staff are highly advised to wear protective gears that are hypoallergenic in order to eliminate or reduce the risks of getting infected.
3. Surgical and Medical Instruments
These are used by physicians and caregivers to treat their patients. That’s why it’s very important to ensure that the surgical and medical equipment to be used are nickel-free. For example, for medical ear piercing, make sure that everything to be used are hypoallergenic. Blomdahl USA offers medical plastic earrings. If you’re planning to have your ears pierced in a hospital, it’s advisable to bring this type of earrings to ensure that it’s indeed hypoallergenic.
4. Gentle Hand Soap
Respiratory irritants, such as dust mites aren’t the only typical allergens you should be wary of. You should also protect yourself against skin irritants.
For those who are not aware, the average person comes into contact with more than 500 chemicals and toxins on a daily basis. Some of these chemicals are quite harsh and could cause allergic reactions.
Most people would think that all you have to do is wash your hands when you come in contact with these chemicals. The problem is, what if the soap you’re going to use could just trigger irritation? This would just make the situation worse.
That’s why most hospitals use soaps made for sensitive skin. This would give the assurance that their patients would be safe from any forms of allergic reaction.
5. Bedding with Natural Fibers
Bedding made from synthetic fibers aren’t recommended to those with sensitive skin as it can make the condition worse because of the chemicals present in it.
On the other hand, bedding made with natural fibers, such as organic cotton and silk are definitely soft to touch and considered to be naturally hypoallergenic. For that reason, hospitals are advised to use beddings that are made of loosely woven cotton, because it also prohibits mold growth.