Hello ladies,
I’m going back to work soon as an early years teacher having been off sick with a non-cancer related illness. I’ve had lymphodema for a few years and have to wear a glove and sleeve all the time. A few years ago there was an outbreak of ecoli infection in the local area so I spoke to my GP on the phone and asked if I should wear a laytex glove so I could wash my gloved hand effectively to prevent spreading ecoli or anything else yucky. The GP seemed surprised I was asking and said not to wear a glove. I find the laytex gloves make my hand sweatyand uncomfortable if i wear them for too long.
We’re now in the winter months with the usual colds, coughs and snot in the nursery class where I teach. Also there is advice in the media about hand washing to prevent the spread of noro virus. Has anyone got any advice about what to do? I wondered about spraying the glove with that hand cleaner stuff that is in sprays at the time I wash my OK hand and finger tips on gloved hand.
I am in a difficult situation returning to work with monitored absence (HR quoted that one year I had 61% attendace- hmmm that would be the year I had cancer treatment : /) and a vague feeling that HR and boss would like to get rid of me so I don’t want to make too many demands. Maybe I should ask for an updated risk assessment on my lymphodema?
Hi there,
I have had lymphodema for about 3 months so still coming to terms with wearing a glove and sleeve. Like you I wear latex gloves, but not for long and I am learning to use my left arm (lympodema in right hand).
Just a thought, but a someone who has had cancer (I assume?) you know you are covered by the Equalties Act and Disability legislation- there is no time-limit on this. As such, you can ask for ‘reasonable’ adjustments to your responsibilities - ie as an early years teacher, not doing tasks that would put you at high risk of coming into contact with germs in light of not being able to wash your hands easily. You would just need a colleague to assist you with certain tasks. This would be an enormous help in winter months. And/or, your GP could increase their provision of garments so you could wash them daily?
Worth a try. Rattles x
Hi
I have LD in my left arm and am left handed and have 3 horses! I tend to use one glove to do horsey things and then change it for work (Do horses before work in the mornings) I then just take glove off to wash my hands if needed in work although I dont work with children so not sure if that would be practical? Then wash them both in the evening and hope! they are dry by next morning. As Rattles said maybe ask for reasonable adjustments at work?
Hope you get something sorted and good luck
Jill xx
Thanks for your thoughts. I have a repeat prescription with my GP for gloves and sleeves so can wear a clean glove every day as I get 3 new gloves every 4 months. That was set up by a sympathetic practice nurse!
I guess I could put on a glove to deal with snot etc and have to wear them to change children as per school policy. It’s the matter of not being able to wash my hands properly during sessions. Nursery kids are notoriously “sticky” and touch me and others frequently, hold hands with adults etc.
How easy is it to spread bacteria and viruses with contact on materials ie my gloves? My knowledge is sadly lacking.
Hi, I contacted my BC nurse and asked her advice. She said the anti bacterial sprays work against the cough/cold bugs but not noro virus. She suggested keeping spare gloves at work so if there was an “incident” I can change my glove and sleeve. Also to use latext gloves for any cleaning up (which I would do anyway) and I guess if there is an outbreak at work of norovirus I’ll have to wear a latex glove all the time so I can wash both hands frequently. I’ll keep latex gloves in my pocket so they are easily popped on rather than having to get them from the box. I don’t think I can do anything else! My boss (at my request) is asking Occ health to do as risk asessment for my lymphodema.