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Home : No Latex : Allergy Facts
Natural rubber latex is a raw material derived from a rubber tree called the Hevea brasiliensis. It is a white milky fluid containing approximately 60% water, 35% rubber, and 5% proteins, amino acids and some carbohydrates. The natural rubber latex is harvested manually by cutting a spiral groove in the tree and allowing the fluid to drain. The raw natural rubber latex is then combined with other chemicals to create the durability, flexibility and strength required for a myriad of medical and consumer products.
- Latex allergy is an acquired allergy.
- Some powder changed from talc, which was heavy, to cornstarch, which is light, binds with the latex proteins and carries them in the air where they can be breathed.
- Powdered latex gloves create an aeroallergen that is inhaled and can be absorbed through euymucosa.
- The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology believes that 20% of health care workers are allergic to latex.
- Latex reactions increase in severity with prolonged exposures, particularly with dipped latex products such as latex gloves, latex balloons and latex condoms.
- Estimates are that 18 million Americans are allergic to latex.
- 28 deaths have been reported to the FDA—these include reports of patients given barium enemas, children, a physician, nurses and others.
- The most prominent risk factors: a history of other allergies/asthma/eczema and latex exposure (at work or as a patient).
- Individuals who are at risk because of their work include: health care workers, beauticians, food handlers, day care personnel, EMS personnel, toll collectors, police officers, crime lab personnel, firemen, housekeepers and others who use latex gloves.
- Individuals at risk because of exposure during medical treatment include: those who have had operations early in life, those with repeated operations, those exposed to latex urinary catheters and GI and rectal tubes.
- Medic Alert tags/bracelets citing latex allergy rose from 12 in 1986 to over 7,447 total by the end of 1997.
- Routes of exposure: inhaled, contact with mucosa, ingestion, intra-vascular, parental injection, wound inoculation, breaks in skin.
- Loosely bound latex protein is transferred to objects (furniture, clothing) by touch and easily aerosolized.
- Powdered latex gloves create an aeroallergen that is inhaled when gloves are snapped on and off, potentially causing sensitization/reactions.
- Latex allergy symptoms vary—from itchy hands or eyes, to asthma or anaphylaxiz, and even death.
- Symptoms of contact dermatitis have to do with the glove's chemicals (e.g., thiurams).
- Symptoms of latex allergy are consistent with other allergies:
- Skin: urticaria (hives), rash, vesicles.
- ENT: watery, itchy reddened eyes and nose and throat; sneezing, sinus symptoms.
- GI: cramping, diarrhea.
- Respiratory: asthma, chest tightness, laryngeal edema, bronchospasm.
- Cardiovascular: hypotension, tachycardia, dysrhythmias, vascular collapse.
- Latex proteins are loosely bound to gloves and readily transferred to charts and medical equipment.
- Safe alternative products are available at competitive costs.
- The FDA will require mandatory labeling of any medical device containing latex, which comes in contact with humans as of September, 1998. This label will read: "Caution: This product contains latex which may cause allergic reactions."
- Six states have proposed legislation to ban powdered latex gloves.
- Many hospitals are changing to non-latex exam gloves.
- Many hospitals have banned latex balloons (Mylar, silver foil balloons are safe).
- Many health care professionals have been left totally unable to continue in their profession.
- The condition of many health care professionals has continued to worsen, even after leaving the hospital setting.
- There is no cure; there is no desensitization currently available for latex allergy. We can only medicate to help decrease symptoms.
- Avoidance is the only intervention for latex allergy.
- Prevention, avoidance, and education about latex allergy are key.
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