title: Latex allergy in health-care workers in an English district general hospital.
abstract: Immediate hypersensitivity to latex protein is a serious and potentially life-threatening problem. This study found that eight of 867 (0.9%) medical and nursing staff in a district general hospital were allergic to latex with resultant hand eczema and/or urticaria. Wheezing occurred when latex became airborne, adsorbed to starch powder. Sensitized individuals are at risk of anaphylaxis when they themselves become patients. Measures to prevent latex sensitization include pre-employment advice regarding hand care and glove use, particularly for atopics, who are at increased risk. Gloves made from synthetic latex must be available for a sensitized individual, both to use at work and when undergoing medical examinations, surgery and dentistry. Increased awareness of the problem by health-care workers is important in order to recognize those at risk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, West Suffolk Hospital NHS Trust, Bury St Edmunds, U.K.
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Handfield-Jones
mesh_terms: D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000209:etiology*; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000209:etiology*; D005932:Gloves, Surgical; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000209:etiology*; D006282:Health Personnel; D006767:Hospitals, District; D006769:Hospitals, General; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000209:etiology*; D007840:Latex / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D007840:Latex