Patients, health care workers, and latex allergy.An estimated 40,000 manufactured products contain latex. With increased use has come increased allergies. Here's what to look for and how to avoid problems.
An estimated 40,000 products, used billions of times each year, contain natural rubber latex. As health care workers, we come in contact with latex every day, whether it be through gloves, catheters, intubation intubation /in·tu·ba·tion/ (in?too-ba´shun) the insertion of a tube into a body canal or hollow organ, as into the trachea.
endotracheal intubation tubes, anesthesia masks, blood pressure cuffs, adhesive tape, or tourniquets, just to name a few sources.
Furthermore, there are many latex products commonly found in the home, including pacifiers, balloons, condoms, rubber bands, bails, and toys. See "Harvesting Hevea brasiliensis" on the next page for an explanation of the origin and manufacture of latex products.
* Occupational allergy. The use of latex gloves has grown dramatically due to the increased awareness of AIDS, implementation of universal precautions, and enforcement of other OSHA OSHA
Occupational Safety and Health Administration, a branch of the US Department of Labor responsible for establishing and enforcing safety and health standards in the workplace. regulations. This boom in the use of latex products has led to increased reports of latex allergy.
In addition to health care professionals, other groups seem to be at higher risk for latex sensitivity. One of these groups is children with spinal cord injuries such as spina bifida. A 1989 study showed that 10 out of 12 spina bifida patients have severe reactions to latex. These patients undergo multiple surgeries and frequent bladder catheterization catheterization
Threading of a flexible tube (catheter) through a channel in the body to inject drugs or a contrast medium, measure and record flow and pressures, inspect structures, take samples, diagnose disorders, or clear blockages. , increasing their exposure to latex products.
Latex allergy has been well documented. While the incidence of latex allergy is [less than] 1% in the general nonatopic population, reported cases are highest in patients who undergo multiple surgical procedures, including those with spina bifida, followed by dentists, surgical personnel, and other hospital employees (see Figure 1).
* Severe reactions. On March 29, 1991, the FDA FDA
Food and Drug Administration
n.pr See Food and Drug Administration.
n.pr the abbreviation for the Food and Drug Administration. issued a medical alert titled "Allergic Reactions to Latex-Containing Medical Devices." The purpose of the alert was to advise health care workers to be aware of latex allergy and to be prepared to treat attendant reactions promptly. This alert was based on reports of severe allergic reactions to common latex-containing medical devices. The FDA has also published data on the incidence of anaphylactic anaphylactic /ana·phy·lac·tic/ (an?ah-fi-lak´tik) pertaining to anaphylaxis.
anaphylactic (an´ reactions to several different products containing latex, several of which are listed in Figure 2.
Another cause of increased latex allergy was lack of QC guidelines in glove manufacturing in the mid- to late '80s. With greater demand for latex gloves, many inexperienced manufacturers sacrificed quality for profit, resulting in the manufacture and sale of poor quality gloves containing many potential allergens.
* Highest risk. Latex allergies result from repeated exposure to latex products; sensitization sensitization /sen·si·ti·za·tion/ (sen?si-ti-za´shun)
1. administration of an antigen to induce a primary immune response.
2. exposure to allergen that results in the development of hypersensitivity. occurs over a long period of time. Latex allergens enter the body through inhalation or by way of cuts or open sores on the hands. Dry, chapped hands, resulting from cold weather or using alcohols and soaps, are common routes of entry.
Patients allergic to latex are at greatest risk for anaphylaxis anaphylaxis (ăn'əfəlăk`sĭs), hypersensitive state that may develop after introduction of a foreign protein or other antigen into the body tissues. when there is direct contact between latex and mucosal surfaces. Latex proteins bind to glove starch. Patient contact occurs when glove powder bound with latex proteins, water soluble proteins, and chemicals is transferred from the latex device to patient tissue (in surgery, e.g.). This results in direct inoculation of the antigen, which leads to an IgE-mediated antibody response. Sensitization via glove powders bound with latex protein may cause asthma, allergic rhinitis, sinus problems, or systemic manifestations.
* Types of reactions. There are three major types of reactions to latex: contact dermatitis and types IV and I hypersensitivities.
Contact dermatitis is the most common type of reaction. This is not an allergic reaction involving the immune system, but rather a skin irritation caused by the chemicals added to the latex during manufacturing or by the glove powder itself.
Type IV delayed hyper-sensitivity is the second most common type of latex allergy. This reaction is mediated by T-cells and is characterized by burning, swelling, and the development of debilitating de·bil·i·tat·ing
Causing a loss of strength or energy.
Weakening, or reducing the strength of.
Mentioned in: Stress Reduction rashes with itching and cracking of the hands. This type of hypersensitivity hypersensitivity, heightened response in a body tissue to an antigen or foreign substance. The body normally responds to an antigen by producing specific antibodies against it. The antibodies impart immunity for any later exposure to that antigen. is also believed to be caused by sensitization to those chemicals added to latex during the manufacturing process. The type IV reaction is comparable to the allergic contact dermatitis allergic contact dermatitis Allergic dermatitis Dermatology A condition caused by cell-mediated immunity due to contact with haptens–eg, nickel, chromates, ursodiols in poison ivy and poison oak, synthetic chemicals, drugs, cosmetics, jewelry, neomycin caused by poison ivy.
Type I immediate hypersensitivity is the least common and the most serious reaction, one that can be life-threatening. The response is an IgE-mediated anaphylaxis that induces the body to manufacture potent chemical mediators that produce such symptoms as hypotension hypotension
or low blood pressure
Condition in which blood pressure is abnormally low. It may result from reduced blood volume (e.g., from heavy bleeding or plasma loss after severe burns) or increased blood-vessel capacity (e.g., in syncope). , urticaria urticaria /ur·ti·ca·ria/ (ur?ti-kar´e-ah) hives; a vascular reaction of the upper dermis marked by transient appearance of slightly elevated patches (wheals) which are redder or paler than the surrounding skin and often attended by , edema edema (ĭdē`mə), abnormal accumulation of fluid in the body tissues or in the body cavities causing swelling or distention of the affected parts. , nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sneezing To verbally tell somebody about a new and interesting Web site. See viral marketing. , and nasal congestion. Type I immediate hypersensitivity is an immune response to a foreign substance (the latex protein) characterized by the synthesis of IgE, which has a high affinity for mast cells and basophils. When the skin or mucous membranes are reexposed to the allergen allergen /al·ler·gen/ (al´er-jen) an antigenic substance capable of producing immediate hypersensitivity (allergy).allergen´ic
pollen allergen (s), IgE bound to the receptors on the surface of the aforementioned cells causes them to degranulate and release histamine, pros-taglandin, leukotrienes Leukotrienes
A class of small molecules produced by cells in response to allergen exposure; they contribute to allergy and asthma symptoms.
Mentioned in: Leukotriene Inhibitors
leukotrienes , etc.
The presence of latex antigen triggers a cellular response, with subsequent sensitization and antibody production by lymphocytes. The response to latex is shown to be IgE mediated through skin testing, basophil basophil /ba·so·phil/ (ba´so-fil)
1. any structure, cell, or histologic element staining readily with basic dyes.
2. histamine release, RAST, ELISA ELISA (e-li´sah) Enzyme-Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay; any enzyme immunoassay using an enzyme-labeled immunoreactant and an immunosorbent.
n. , and IgE immunoblot.[13,14]
* What's being done? At the present time, researchers and manufacturers of latex products are developing new techniques to remove the offending allergens during manufacture. Low-allergen latex gloves are on the market. Different washing techniques remove latex proteins and maintain a product that has tensile strength and barrier protection. Protein levels are being monitored using protein assays, ELISA, RAST-inhibition, and nesslerization. Makers of latex products continue to maintain lower levels of protein.
What do we do to reduce the risk? The first step is to be aware of the potential dangers of latex allergy. Be alert to the threat of latex allergy and latex-induced anaphylaxis, especially in patients who have had multiple surgeries. All patients, regardless of risk group, should be questioned about a history of latex allergy. We must work hard to provide a latex-free environment for all latex-sensitive patients.
Population distribution for latex allergy in health care
Dentists 13.7% OR physicians 7.5 OR nurses 5.6 Other hospital employees 1.3
Source: Leynadier F, Pecquet C, Dry J. Anaphylaxis to latex during surgery. Anaesthesia. July 1989; 44(7): 547-550. Cited in Stehlin D. Latex allergies: When rubber rubs the wrong way. FDA Consumer. September 1992; 26(7): 16-21. Figure 2
Latex-induced anaphylactic reactions by product
Enema tips 422 Exam gloves 408 Surgical gloves 77 Condoms 53 Tapes/bandages 32 Vascular catheters 30 Other products 111
Total reports to date: 1,133 Reported deaths: 15
Source: Food and Drug Administration.
* Life without latex. A latex-free environment includes using nonlatex gloves, catheters, endotracheal tubes, suction tubing, and other such implements. Avoid latex bandages, tourniquets, and blood pressure cuffs. When taking blood from a latex-sensitive patient, wear non-latex gloves and don't take trays of supplies into patients' rooms. Use a cloth tourniquet tourniquet (tr`nĭkĕt, –kā, tûr`–), compression device used to cut off the flow of blood to a part of the body, most often an arm or leg. and latex-free tape/gauze in lieu of latex bandages to help prevent transmission of aerosolized Adj. 1. aerosolized - in the form of ultramicroscopic solid or liquid particles dispersed or suspended in air or gas
gaseous - existing as or having characteristics of a gas; "steam is water is the gaseous state" antigens.
Health care workers sensitive to latex should use nonlatex gloves such as those made of polyvinyl chloride or neoprene neoprene: see rubber.
Any of a class of elastomers (rubberlike synthetic organic compounds of high molecular weight) made by polymerization of the monomer 2-chloro-1,3-butadiene and vulcanized (cross-linked, like rubber), by sulfur, . These gloves do not provide optimal barrier protection against the transmission of viruses, however. If you do wear latex gloves, limit exposure to its allergens by routinely washing your hands, and avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth to prevent direct contact with mucous membranes.
Do not use petroleum products or other skin protectants when wearing latex gloves. These substances break down the latex and decrease barrier integrity. Routine use has the same effect. The FDA has suggested wearing a latex glove between two vinyl gloves. If a latex allergy develops, notify your personal health care provider and follow his/her suggestions regarding precautions.
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AORN Association of Operating Room Nurses (name changed)
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cutis anseri´na transitory elevation of the hair follicles due to contraction of the arrectores pilorum muscles; a reflection of sympathetic nerve discharge. . November 1993; 52: 307-311.
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RELATED ARTICLE: Harvesting Hevea brasiliensis
Natural rubber latex is a product of the rubber tree Hevea brasiliensis, which originated in the Amazon. Most of today's rubber tree plantations are located in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand, however.
Rubber trees must grow from 6 to 8 years before they are ready to harvest but then can produce latex for up to 28 years. One tree will produce approximately 10 pairs of surgical gloves each week. The milky sap (latex) contains about 30% rubber, 65% water, 1.8% protein, and 2% resin. Rubber particles are coated with phospholipids and protein to help provide stability and prevent the latex from coagulating.
If steps are not taken to stabilize the natural rubber, it spontaneously coagulates within the first few hours after collection due to microbial microbial
pertaining to or emanating from a microbe.
the breakdown of organic material, especially feedstuffs, by microbial organisms. attack on the nonrubber constituents and the hydrolysis hydrolysis (hīdrŏl`ĭsĭs), chemical reaction of a compound with water, usually resulting in the formation of one or more new compounds. of protein. The most widely used, method of preserving latex is adding ammonia, which helps prevent microbial attachment.
During manufacturing, many chemicals are added to the latex, including vulcanizers, accelerators, stabilizers, and antioxidants Antioxidants
Substances that reduce the damage of the highly reactive free radicals that are the byproducts of the cells.
Mentioned in: Aging, Nutritional Supplements
n. . The exact mixture and process varies, depending on the physical properties needed for the application of the rubber. Each formulation of latex is designed to produce a product with the appropriate tensile strength and, if needed, barrier protection.
1. Hamann C. Natural rubber latex protein sensitivity in review. Am J Contact Dermatitis. March 1993; 4(1): 4-21.
2. White N. Understanding latex. Biomed Instrum Technol. June 1992; 232-237.
Christine D. Personius, MT(ASCP ASCP American Society of Clinical Pathologists. ), CLS (Common Language Specification) The structure and syntax of .NET and CLI programming languages. See .NET. (NCA (Network Computing Architecture) An architecture from Oracle for developing applications within a networked computing environment. It provides a three-tier distributed environment based on CORBA that uses program components known as "cartridges. ) is a medical technologist at Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, Pa. Before that she was research technician on a project investigating latex allergies, conducted at the Donald Guthrie Medical Research Foundation, also in Sayre. She thanks Carol Camp, Terrie Zimmer, and Donald Beezhold for their time and effort in reviewing this article.