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latex allergy
Epidemiology:
1) 10-11% of health care workers
2) latex proteins are aerosolized with corn starch glove powder
3) powderless gloves reduce latex aerosolized dispersal
4) common cause of intra-operative anaphylaxis
5) concurrent allergies common:
a) avocado, banana, kiwi, pear, pineapple, grape, apricot, papaya
b) these & other fruits share antigens with latex
Pathology:
allergy to latex may cause:
1) hand dermatitis
2) rhinoconjunctivitis
3) asthma
4) anaphylaxis
Laboratory:
1) increased serum tryptase
2) antibodies to latex (immunoassay, commercially available)
- Latex IgE Ab in serum
- Latex glove extract IgE Ab in serum
- Latex IgG Ab in serum
- - Latex IgG4 Ab in serum
Management:
1) avoidance of latex
2) latex-free gloves
3) coworkers must use washed powderless gloves if latex
4) Ana-kit (EpiPen)
Related
latex
General
type 1 hypersensitivity; immediate hypersensitivity (allergy)
References
- Mayo Internal Medicine Board Review, 1998-99, Prakash UBS (ed)
Lippincott-Raven, Philadelphia, 1998, pg 35
- Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 11, American
College of Physicians, Philadelphia 1998