title: Perioperative care of patients with latex allergy.
abstract: Initially identified in the pediatric population, latex allergy and sensitivity now are seen at increasingly higher rates in all age groups, and are especially prevalent in health care workers. Knowledge about the sources of latex in the environment, the signs and symptoms seen in latex sensitivity and allergic reaction, risk factors for sensitivity, and how to assess patients and those working in the health care profession for possible latex sensitivity is important for perioperative nurses.
authors.affiliation: Doctor's Community Hospital, Lanham, Md., USA.
authors.forename: B R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Davis
mesh_terms: D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D020315:Latex Hypersensitivity / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019990:Perioperative Care / Q000451:nursing*; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index