Latex allergy has been a growing epidemic among healthcare workers; approximately 8-17% of us are latex sensitive. “Us” includes nurses, nursing assistants, doctors, lab personnel, EMT’s, dentists and dental hygienists. However, other occupations are succumbing as well. These include firefighters, police, food service workers, environmental services workers, beauticians, auto mechanics, painters and those who work in latex manufacturing. People with a history of frequent surgeries or urogenital procedures, spina bifida, asthma and other allergies are also highly prone.
Why has incidence increased?
Latex allergy is documented as far back as 1913. The increased occurrence now is due to the development of “Universal Precautions” in 1987. Since the HIV scare, latex gloves have been considered the barrier of choice against blood borne diseases. The high demand for the gloves led to a change in the manufacturing process, so the gloves could be produced more quickly. Instead of pouring the latex into a mold, the gloves are dipped, which allows more of the latex proteins to remain in the glove. People started wearing the gloves more often to protect themselves, thus increasing their exposure. Latex gloves are now so inexpensive that workers who are not at risk for blood contact wear them.
Which products contain latex?
Over 40,000 products contain latex! Many of these are medical supplies and include such things as gloves, blood pressure cuffs, tourniquets, tape, catheters, stethoscopes and medication vial stoppers. The dipping process is also used to make balloons and condoms, so there tends to be a high incidence of reaction from these. Latex surrounds us at home too, in the form of telephones, computer mouse pads, TV remote control buttons, carpet backing, envelope glue, chewing gum, elastic in clothing...and the list goes on. Any of these can cause a reaction in a person who is sensitized.
What are the symptoms of latex allergy?
There are three types of reactions associated with latex allergy:
Contact dermatitis is irritation at the site of contact that is caused by the chemicals used in processing, or by the powder added to gloves. Usual symptoms include redness and itching that disappear when the source is removed. This is not a latex allergy but does make the person more susceptible to progressing to a true latex allergy.
Type IV hypersensitivity is a cell mediated allergic reaction to the chemicals used in processing, but not to the latex itself. These chemicals can be airborne by the powder used in gloves. The reaction may be delayed up to 48 hours after exposure and includes redness and itching, localized swelling, hives, red and itchy eyes, runny nose and coughing. Repeated exposure causes the symptoms to arise faster and persist longer. Often, symptoms occur at work and disappear at home.
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