A new hazard of cornstarch, an absorbable dusting powder.

Abstract

Cornstarch is currently the only powder used in the manufacture of surgical and examination gloves. The purpose of this study was to determine if cornstarch damages local tissue defenses in contaminated wounds. It was found that in contaminated wounds, cornstarch enhanced the growth of bacteria and elicited exaggerated inflammatory responses as measured by wound induration. As a result of this investigation, we do not recommend the use of gloves with cornstarch powders.

• Authors: C M Ruhl, J H Urbancic, P A Foresman, M J Cox, G T Rodeheaver, R D Zura, R F Edlich
• Journal: The Journal of emergency medicine (J Emerg Med) 1994 Jan-Feb Vol. 12 Issue 1 Pg. 11-4 ISSN: 0736-4679 [Print] United States
• PMID: 8163797 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Starch

Topics

• Animals
• Female
• Gloves, Surgical (adverse effects)
• Guinea Pigs
• Staphylococcal Infections (metabolism)
• Staphylococcus aureus (drug effects)
• Starch (toxicity)
• Surgical Wound Infection (metabolism, microbiology)