A review of latex sensitivity related to the use of latex gloves in hospitals

AORN Journal,  July, 2004  by Rosimeire Aparecida Mendes Lopes,  Maria Cecilia Cardoso Benatti,  Ricardo de Lima Zollner

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SUPPORT FOR USE OF Low-ALLERGEN GLOVES

The use of powder-free gloves or gloves containing a small quantity of allergens is accepted by various organizations as an important mechanism for establishing a latex-safe environment. (29) According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, employers should adopt a policy that protects workers from latex exposure in the work environment by supplying latex-free gloves or latex gloves with a low quantity of proteins, such as powder-free latex gloves. (30) Health care workers who are allergic to latex should avoid contact with latex gloves and other products that contain latex. In 1999, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued a technical bulletin reaffirming these recommendations. (31) Use of powder-free, low-powder, and nonlatex gloves provides health care workers with a strategy for preventing occupational exposure to latex allergens.

NOTES

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(3.) M Lundberg, K Wrangsjo, S G Johansson, "Latex allergy from glove powder--An unintended risk with the switch from talc to cornstarch?" Allergy 52 (December 1997) 1222-1228.

(4.) N Sri-Akajunt et al, "Natural rubber latex aeroallergen exposure in rubber plantation workers and glove manufacturers in Thailand and health care workers in a UK hospital," The Annals of Occupational Hygiene 44 (March 2000) 79-88.

(5.) J W Yunginger, "Natural rubber latex allergy," in Allergy Principles & Practice, vol 2, fifth ed, Elliott Middleton, Jr, et al, eds (St Louis: Mosby, 1998) 1073-1078.

(6.) B J Meade, D N Weissman, D H Beezhold, "Latex allergy: Past and present," International Immunopharmacology 2 (February 2002) 225-238.

(7.) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Perspectives in disease prevention and health promotion update: Universal precautions for prevention of transmission of human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus, and other blood-borne pathogens in health-care settings," Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 37 (June 24, 1988) 377-388. Also available at http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml /00000039.htm (accessed 11 April 2004).

(8.) V P Kurup, J N Fink, "The spectrum of immunologic sensitization in latex allergy," Allergy 52 (January 2001) 2-12.

(9.) C Blanco et al, "Comparison of skin-prick test and specific serum IgE determination for the diagnosis of latex allergy," Clinical and Experimental Allergy: Journal of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology 28 (August 1998) 971-976.

(10.) D J Gawkrodger, "Patch testing in occupational dermatology, Occupational and Environmental Medicine 58 (December 2001) 823-828.

(11.) S M Wilkinson, R Burd, "Latex: A cause of allergic contact eczema in users of natural rubbergloves," Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 39 (July 1998) 36-42.