title: Latex allergy: a nursing update.
abstract: Latex allergy emerged in the 1990's as a significant and challenging public health concern for patients as well as healthcare workers. This article provides a review of this complex health care challenge. Understanding latex allergy production and sources of exposure will provide a background to explore the immunological implications of this exposure risk. Diagnostic and treatment measures are reviewed. The focus of this article is to increase awareness and encourage prevention of this growing health concern.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Kramper
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003429:Cross Reactions; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004865:Equipment and Supplies, Hospital; D005260:Female; D005932:Gloves, Surgical; D006794:Household Articles; D006801:Humans; D020315:Latex Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology / Q000451:nursing / Q000628:therapy