Results of wearing test with two different latex gloves with and without the use of skin-protection cream.
A total of 109 subjects reporting symptoms indicating type I hypersensitivity reactions to natural rubber latex (NRL) gloves was included in this study, and 66 of them had latex-specific IgE antibodies. They underwent provocation tests by wearing two types of NRL gloves with high (n=103) and low (n=75) allergen contents. The first glove type caused positive skin reactions in 30% of IgE-positive and in 3% of IgE-negative subjects. After application of a commercially available skin protection (barrier) cream, the frequencies of positive skin responses in wearing tests increased to 41% and 7%, respectively. The gloves with low allergen content did not cause hypersensitivity without skin-protection cream but induced responses in 5% of IgE-positive subjects when this cream was applied. Corresponding findings were obtained in intraindividual comparisons of test results, which were possible in 69 cases. Of all wearing-test responders, 92% had latex-specific IgE antibodies. Our results demonstrate that high allergen contents in latex gloves frequently elicit skin responses in NRL-sensitized subjects, and that skin-protection creams may favor the uptake of allergens from gloves, thus increasing allergic reactions. The stipulation of a legally binding threshold limit value (TLV) for allergens in NRL products is urgently needed. This TLV should not be set above 2 microg allergen/g rubber.
Baur
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Research Institute for Occupational Medicine (BGFA), Ruhr-University of Bochum, Germany.
Chen
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Allmers
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Raulf-Heimsoth
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M
D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D007840:Latex / Q000276:immunology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009824:Ointments; D012408:Rubber
D007840:Latex; D009824:Ointments; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D012408:Rubber