A Review of Natural-Rubber Latex Allergy in Health Care Workers

This brief review of natural-rubber latex (NRL) allergy in health care workers (HCWs) includes the definition of NRL allergy and data on its epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnostic algorithm, management, long-term outcomes, economic impact, cost-effectiveness of changing facilities to a latex-free en...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical infectious diseases 2004-01, Vol.38 (2), p.252-256
Main Authors: Ranta, Peter M., Ownby, Dennis R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Allergens
Allergic diseases
Allergies
Biological and medical sciences
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Disabilities
Epidemiology
Food allergies
Health Personnel
Healthcare Epidemiology
Humans
Immunopathology
Latex
Latex - chemistry
Latex allergies
Latex Hypersensitivity - diagnosis
Latex Hypersensitivity - epidemiology
Latex Hypersensitivity - physiopathology
Latex Hypersensitivity - therapy
Medical personnel
Medical sciences
Natural rubber
Occupational Diseases - diagnosis
Occupational Diseases - epidemiology
Occupational Diseases - physiopathology
Occupational Diseases - therapy
Occupational Exposure
Sensitization
Skin allergic diseases. Stinging insect allergies
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:This brief review of natural-rubber latex (NRL) allergy in health care workers (HCWs) includes the definition of NRL allergy and data on its epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnostic algorithm, management, long-term outcomes, economic impact, cost-effectiveness of changing facilities to a latex-free environment, and prevention. The data presented suggest that an individual with type I or type IV hypersensitivity to NRL should be able to continue to work in the workplace with careful evaluation and reasonable accommodations. Reducing exposure to latex is a safe and more economical alternative to complete removal of the individual from the place of employment. The use of low-allergen, nonpowdered NRL gloves substantially reduces airborne exposure to latex in most health care settings.
ISSN:1058-4838
1537-6591
DOI:10.1086/380789