Biomaterial Database

Clinical management of latex allergy. 1997

D Bey, and B Browne

Department of Pharmacy, Scott and White Memorial Hospital, Temple, Texas 76508, USA.

The use of latex gloves in the health care setting dates back to the 1800s, when these products were introduced as a means of preventing the passage of microorganisms to operating room patients. Today, fear of human immunodeficiency virus transmission and other blood-borne diseases has led to implementation of standardized guidelines for glove use for health care professionals. Because of the unique combination of strength, flexibility, and elasticity of natural rubber, latex is typically the material of choice for a variety of medical products, including examination gloves. Unfortunately, routine use of latex in the health care setting may be detrimental to patients and caregivers with a history of natural rubber latex hypersensitivity reactions.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D006967	Hypersensitivity	Altered reactivity to an antigen, which can result in pathologic reactions upon subsequent exposure to that particular antigen.	Allergy,Allergic Reaction,Allergic Reactions,Allergies,Hypersensitivities,Reaction, Allergic,Reactions, Allergic
D007840	Latex	A milky, product excreted from the latex canals of a variety of plant species that contain cauotchouc. Latex is composed of 25-35% caoutchouc, 60-75% water, 2% protein, 2% resin, 1.5% sugar & 1% ash. RUBBER is made by the removal of water from latex.(From Concise Encyclopedia Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 3rd ed). Hevein proteins are responsible for LATEX HYPERSENSITIVITY. Latexes are used as inert vehicles to carry antibodies or antigens in LATEX FIXATION TESTS.	Latices,Latice
D009784	Occupational Diseases	Diseases caused by factors involved in one's employment.	Diseases, Occupational,Occupational Illnesses,Disease, Occupational,Illnesse, Occupational,Illnesses, Occupational,Occupational Disease,Occupational Illnesse
D006281	Health Occupations	Professions or other business activities directed to the cure and prevention of disease. For occupations of medical personnel who are not physicians but who are working in the fields of medical technology, physical therapy, etc., ALLIED HEALTH OCCUPATIONS is available.	Health Professions,Health Occupation,Health Profession,Profession, Health,Professions, Health
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D017575	Gloves, Protective	Covering for the hands usually with separation for the fingers, made of various materials for protection against infections, toxic substances, extremes of hot and cold, radiation, water immersion, etc. Protective gloves may be worn by patients, care givers, laboratory personnel, industrial workers, and police, among others.	Protective Gloves