Question About Gloves

It's not necessary to wear gloves to do a routine exam. You're not coming in contact with open wounds or cuts...it's a well baby exam. Hand washing is even better than wearing gloves and washing before and after is the standard.

I am a stay at home mom in Florida and my pediatrician uses her hands also, I had no problem with it. I think the kids prefer the hands instead of the gloves and the doctor feels secure because you are there at all times.

I am the daughter and granddaughter of doctors. Universal proceedure is that thy wash their hands. Some doctors choose not to wear gloves, especially with small patients such as children because the fingers aren't as sensative. they need to be able to feel hernia's and lumps. Some don't even wear gloves with adults UNLESS touching a private part.

now if you don't see them (nurse or doctor) washing hands or using that no water sanitizer.. THEN you have a problem.

No gloves, but he does wash his hands. I believe the "order" in which they examine the child is key--as long as checking the privates is last I'm sure it is all okay.

I don't recall them wearing gloves. My youngest goes next week for a well check so I will pay more attention.

I have never seen my ped use gloves. The only time I see gloves is in the lab or on the nurse for shots. I know he washes his hands when he walks in the door, washes his hands when he is done also. I think somethings you can 'feel' better without gloves? Oh, and....it is so true that the gloves are for the protection of the doctor, not for us Haha.

Hi K.,

When my children go in for their well checks or even when they are sick, the doctor washes his hands but does not wear gloves. If blood needs to be drawn, then the lab technicians wear them but not for routine check ups.

My son's pediatriction doesn't wear them to check my son. I never thought that there was a problem with it, I figured that he knew what he was doing. Plus alot of babies have allergies to laytex and stuff.

In my peds office there is about four different drs. We have seen all four and none of them wear gloves. Hope this helps.

p.s. Email me at ____@____.com if you want to know about a mom's group in your area.

My doctor never has worn gloves, whic really doesn't surprise me consideting how many kids are allergic to latex gloves.

No, my pediatrian never has.

Our MD doesn't wear gloves for exams. As a nurse, if all I do is touch the patient's skin and the skin is intact, I am not required to wear gloves, just to wash my hands in between patients. I imagine the 'rule' is the same for MDs. If anyone's skin is broken (patient or examiner) then gloves should be worn.

No, ours never has. H., 35, teacher, mom of 17 month old boy.

I've had a few different Peds. for my kids, and no, none of them ever used gloves. Even our current one doesn't. He just like yours washes his hands and does what he needs to do. I'm not concerned with it because he's washing his hands right in front of me.

my ped. never wore gloves during well baby check ups but washed his hands alot i think its easier on the kids. so it's not just your doctor and i dont think it nothing to worry about but on the other hand if it bothers you ask him to wear gloves next time.

I wouldn't worry about it since the ped washed his hands. My friend is a nurse and she said they would only wear gloves if blood or feces (or other body fluid) were involved. She told me the following are some reasons why peds don't wear gloves: On very small children there is no way of telling if there is a latex allergy, the doctor can't get an accurate "feel", ped feels protected since there isn't obvious body fluid.
I think everything is fine. :-)

THIS IS CALLED A HEAD TO TOE ASSESSMENT. GLOVES ARE NOT NEEDED FOR THIS. CONSIDER THIS THE SAME AS A HAND SHAKE WHEN YOU GREET A PERSON. WHEN THEY PUT A DRESSING ON A WOUND, GIVE MEDS BY MOUTH, GIVE INJECTIONS OR TAKE BLOOD, GLOVES ARE REQUIRED. MAKE SURE THEY WEAR GLOVES IF THEY ENTER ANY OPEN AREA OF THE BODY SUCH AS THE MOUTH, SKIN, GENITALS, RECTUM, EYES, ECT. NO NEED TO WORRY, GIVE YOUR DOC A SOME CREDIT FOR THE HAND WASHING!!! IF YOU FEEL BETTER ABOUT GLOVES AT ALL TIMES, ASK THEM TO PUT GLOVES ON. THEY WILL NOT MIND. I AM A NURSE, THAT IS WHY I WANTED TO RESPOND TO YOU. TAKE CARE...M.

The only time I can remember my pediatrician ever wearing gloves is when blood or feces (rectum check-- issue with a fissure) was involved. As long as the doctor's hands are cleaned, I see no reason for gloves as far as protection for your child. The gloves with blood or feces protects the doctor

I have a daugher who just had her 2 yr well-check. Her doctor did not wear gloves, never has. She always washes her hands though. If you feel uncomfortable, just ask him to put them on, or find out why they don't.

Hi K.,

My kids pediatrician does not wear gloves during the exam. The pediatrician does wash her hands before the exam and immediately after the exam. We've seen several pediatrician's at our practice and none of them wear gloves. Hope this helps!

J.

No, my ped does not use gloves. She simply washes her hands.

Now that you mention it my sons dr. does not either.

M.

Yes change pedaitrians

I think it's weird also, but my doctor doesn't wear gloves either. He does always wash his hands. And as a first responder/EMT, you really don't have to wear gloves in that type of setting if there is no blood and the doctor feels comfortable not wearing them. I'm sure in any surcumstance(?) that has the potential to be hazards, he would were them. It's ok though, as long as he washes his hands in between kids and you actually see him washing his hands. I don't worry too much about it.