title: Natural rubber latex allergy in the occupational setting.
abstract: Over the last decade, the prevalence of natural rubber latex (NRL) allergy has reached epidemic proportions among workers who use or who are exposed to powdered latex products. NRL-associated occupational asthma is confined largely to those exposed to powdered latex glove use or other latex aerosols. The most frequent presenting symptom of NRL allergy is contact urticaria; inhalation may cause symptoms of allergic rhinitis and asthma. Skin prick testing is the most accurate tool for diagnosis of NRL allergy. The cornerstone of management is cessation of exposure; substitution with non-NRL or nonpowdered NRL gloves results in predictable rapid disappearance of latex aeroallergen.
authors.affiliation: Milwaukee Medical Clinic, Allergy and Respiratory Care Center, Advanced Healthcare, SC, 3003 West Good Hope Road, Milwaukee, WI 53209, USA. charous@execpc.com
authors.forename: B Lauren
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Charous
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Tarlo
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Charous
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kelly
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D020315:Latex Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure