Allergic contact urticaria from natural rubber latex in healthcare and non-healthcare workers.
To compare the prevalence of natural rubber latex (NRL) sensitization and allergic contact urticaria from NRL in healthcare and non-healthcare workers, we studied all 1171 patients who attended our clinic during 2001 and 2002. Prick testing for NRL and patch testing with European standard series were performed in all patients and an additional rubber series in those who had contact with rubber. Specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels against NRL and tropical fruits were measured when prick testing was positive. Sensitization to NRL (positive prick test and specific IgE levels) was much more common in healthcare workers than that in non-healthcare workers, 16.7 versus 2.3%. Among the non-healthcare workers, sensitization to NRL was more common in food handlers (17.1%), construction workers (6.6%), painters (6.2%), hairdressers (5.1%) and cleaners (3.8%). The difference in the prevalence of specific IgE to tropical fruits was not significant. Allergic contact urticaria from NRL was also much more frequent in healthcare workers, 71.4 versus 28.6%. In conclusion, sensitization to NRL and allergic contact urticaria from NRL are more common in healthcare workers, but this is a growing problem in non-healthcare workers and should be investigated in all workers with a history of NRL intolerance or who have contact with NRL.
Valks
Ruud
R
Department of Occupational Dermatology, Instituto Nacional de Medicina y Seguridad del Trabajo, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28040 Madrid, Spain. valks@aedv.es
Conde-Salazar
Luis
L
Cuevas
Manuela
M
D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D007428:Intradermal Tests; D020315:Latex Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D009790:Occupations; D010328:Patch Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D012737:Sex Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D014581:Urticaria / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology