The natural rubber used to produce latex gloves comes from a tree, Hevea braziliensis, that grows in Africa and Asia and it is a protein in this latex that causes latex allergy.
Latex allergy has become increasingly common in recent years and is estimated to affect about 6 per cent of the general population. Amongst medical professionals where it often develops as a result of frequent exposure to latex (through the wearing of latex gloves) this figure is increased to around 17 per cent.
Latex free gloves are not able to prevent the allergy alone. There are many goods around us which contain latex. That’s why there is a high probability of coming into contact with them.
Latex allergy precautions
Use these recommendations to prevent or reduce the impact of latex:
At work:
- Use latex free gloves if you don’t need to work with infectious materials.
- If you do have to operate with infectious materials, use powder free gloves with a low albumen content.
- Remove your gloves at least once an hour and ventilate them.
- Use dampening cream to renew the protective barrier of your skin.
At home:
- Find latex free gloves in chemists or medical equipment shops
- Use Nitrile powder free gloves or Vinyl powder free gloves.
In consulting rooms:
- Find a doctor’s or dentist’s office where the staff is using latex free gloves and equipment without latex components.
- If it is impossible, choose a doctor who has a separate or individual room, where latex is not permitted.
- It is better to book an appointment with a doctor for early morning when all surfaces are cleaned from latex dust.
Be ready for an occurence:
If you have latex allergy the worst thing to do is to keep it secret from people who are able to help you.
-Come up with a plan with your doctor with detailed actions that you need to undertake during serious symptoms. Include in this plan necessary medicines and first aid phone numbers.
- Learn how to use special tools like a syringe with adrenalin. Always take it with you!
- Introduce this plan to your family members, friends and colleagues. Tell them where they can find your medicines.
- Stick a special label on your car “Latex Free” in order to inform doctors in case of a critical situation.
- Take some latex free gloves with you for doctors.
Remember that there is no medical treatment that can replace preventive measures.
- If you do have to operate with infectious materials, use powder free gloves with a low albumen content.
- Remove your gloves at least once an hour and ventilate them.
- Use dampening cream to renew the protective barrier of your skin.
- Find latex free gloves in chemists or medical equipment shops
- Use Nitrile powder free gloves or Vinyl powder free gloves.
- Find a doctor’s or dentist’s office where the staff is using latex free gloves and equipment without latex components. If it is impossible, choose a doctor who has a separate or individual room, where latex is not permitted. It is better to book an appointment with a doctor for early morning when all surfaces are cleaned from latex dust.
If you have latex allergy the worst thing to do is to keep it secret from people who are able to help you. Come up with a plan with your doctor with detailed actions that you need to undertake during serious symptoms. Include in this plan necessary medicines and first aid phone numbers. Learn how to use special tools like a syringe with adrenalin. Always take it with you! Introduce this plan to your family members, friends and colleagues. Tell them where they can find your medicines. Stick a special label on your car “Latex Free” in order to inform doctors in case of a critical situation. Take some latex free gloves with you for doctors.Remember that there is no medical treatment for latex allergy that can replace preventive measures.