A latex allergy can affect anyone but it is more common among people who work in the medical profession. Rubber gloves are often made of latex, so healthcare and dental workers who must wear gloves for hygiene reasons need to determine whether they have an allergy to avoid medical issues.
Latex allergies affect up to 6% of the population, but in the healthcare industry, the figure is much higher. Between 10% and 17% of healthcare workers, across all sectors, have been diagnosed with a latex allergy.
In the dental sector, the figure is even higher, with 33.8% of employees having an allergy. The condition can range from mild to extremely severe, so an accurate diagnosis is important.
What is a latex allergy?
Someone with a latex allergy is suffering a reaction to the natural proteins in the sap of the Hevea Brasiliensis rubber tree, which is used to make latex. Consequently, the condition is also known as a natural rubber latex allergy.
Some of the chemicals used in the production of latex can also cause a reaction, which normally develops after people are repeatedly exposed to consumer and medical products that contain rubber latex. It can create a serious health risk with repeated exposure.
As well as healthcare employees, an allergy can also affect spina bifida patients, people who have had multiple medical surgeries and workers in industries where there is occupational exposure to latex. For example, 17% of restaurant workers have a latex allergy.
What are the symptoms of a latex allergy?
How would you know if you’re allergic to latex? After all, you may think the slight itch in your hands is due to the cold weather or because you’ve had them in water containing detergents.
If you're someone who wears latex gloves quite often, you may have latex allergy symptoms without realising. They can start off mild but become worse over time with continued exposure.
There are three different types of allergic reactions to latex products. Type 1 is known as an IgE-mediated allergic reaction; Type IV refers to allergic contact dermatitis; and the third type is irritant contact dermatitis.
A Type 1 reaction can be life-threatening and medical experts are most concerned about preventing an incident. Symptoms range from irritated skin to respiratory problems and anaphylaxis.
There's no way of predicting how severe the symptoms will be if someone with an allergy is exposed to latex. They can appear mild at first but can progress to more serious medical problems very quickly.
The symptoms can include redness of the skin, hives, itchy skin, runny nose and sneezing, irritated eyes, throat irritation, asthma symptoms and finally anaphylaxis. The symptoms may begin immediately after exposure, or they can appear hours later.
Someone who has a latex allergy may experience a differing severity each time. A reaction can progress quickly, making treatment and care difficult in the event of anaphylaxis.
Dermatitis symptoms
Allergic contact dermatitis is usually limited to the area of skin where there has been direct contact with a rubber product. Some of the chemicals used in the production of latex can also trigger this reaction.
A delayed immune reaction, symptoms can take 24 to 48 hours to develop. Signs of Type IV can include a red rash, elevated papules on the skin and a blister-type rash that might start to ooze.
Irritant contact dermatitis is common among healthcare staff who often wear rubber gloves. It differs from allergic contact dermatitis because it isn't caused by an immune system sensitisation. It is linked to sweating, frequent skin washing and the irritation caused by powder lubricants.
Symptoms include an itchy, red rash and cracking skin. The irritation doesn't extend beyond the skin area that has been contact with latex.
How can people reduce the risk of latex allergies?
While rubber gloves are often made of latex, people who have an allergy can find an alternative material to avoid suffering a reaction. In sectors where employees must wear gloves, latex free alternatives are available.
There are several options if you're someone who has an allergy. These include disposable nitrile gloves, which don't contain any latex proteins. They are ideal for people who have allergies or just a sensitive skin.
In addition, PE and poly gloves are suitable for applications such as petrol station and forecourt use. They are not suitable for medical use but can be used in jobs where there is low chemical contact.
Vinyl gloves produced to medical standards are intended for use in healthcare settings. Different specification gloves are made for food handling, tattooing and piercing studios, hairdressing and car maintenance.
How should you choose latex free gloves?
There are many different options, so the first step is to consider what you're going to use the gloves for. Write down all your requirements such as a need for hypoallergenic, chemical-resistant and durable gloves for the dentistry profession. In this case, nitrile gloves may be the best option.
Then, consider the different characteristics of each option, such as whether you require powdered or powder-free gloves. See which brands have the widest range of sizes. Compare your options until you find a brand that ticks all the boxes.
Not all gloves are made equal, but when you choose Gloveman Supplies, you can be assured of the highest quality right across the board.
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