title: Latex allergy literature review: evidence for making military treatment facilities latex safe.
abstract: Latex allergy has become the epidemic of the 1990s for health care workers, as indicated by a remarkable increase in its prevalence. This literature review provides a brief background to the latex problem, strategies for prevention and management, a cost analysis of glove substitution in a clinical setting, and the implications for the military environment. Primary care providers must recognize the financial, medico-legal, occupational, and personal ramifications of latex allergy. Risk managers should realize that moving to a latex-free environment will reduce liability.
authors.affiliation: Advanced Education in General Dentistry, Dental Clinic 5, Residency Clinic, Fort Bragg, NC 28310, USA.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Reese
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Reichl
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McCollum
mesh_terms: D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D003429:Cross Reactions / Q000276:immunology; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D017575:Gloves, Protective / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D020315:Latex Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D008889:Military Personnel; D015995:Prevalence; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology