Common reactions to latex glove exposure can be separated into three categories:
- Damage to skin caused by exposure to abrasive and chemical products used in the manufacturing process of gloves or from hand washing. Symptoms include dry skin, sores and cracks.
Delayed Hypersensitivity, Type IV Reaction: This is a delayed response to the chemicals used to manufacture gloves. The response is takes up to 12-24 hours to appear and can last for up to 48 hours. Common symptoms include bumps, sores and red rashes. Continued exposure can lead to increase sensitivity and more severe reactions. Immediate Hypersensitivity, Type I Reaction: This is an immediate response to the plant proteins in latex which causes reactions similar to other allergic responses such as rhinitis, conjunctivitis, urticaria, laryngeal edema, bronchospasm, asthma, angioedema, anaphylaxis, and possibly death.
Individuals, either healthcare workers or patients, can be separated into those with latex sensitivity or latex allergy. Those who have a latex allergy suffer from immediate hypersensitivity and the only way to avoid a reaction is to eliminate exposure to latex proteins. Whereas latex sensitivity is a particular genetic disposition that overtime with continued exposure to latex proteins can develop into a latex allergy. Broken skin caused by both contact dermatitis and delayed hypersensitivity can cause increased exposure to latex proteins and thus cause those who are latex sensitive to become latex allergic.
- It is estimated among the general public in the US, between 1% and 6% are latex sensitive, while around 5% to 18% of healthcare professionals are latex sensitive.
Due to the increase prevalence of the use of latex products in an increasing number of industries and in households, the rate of latex sensitivity is increasing.
- Since the progression towards latex allergy is based on an individual