Latex sensitivity

Whether it’s gloves, office supplies, or the product you make, odds are you’ll find latex rubber in your workplace. It’s a concern, since a number of people suffer from latex sensitivity.

So what is latex and why does it cause problems? Latex is a natural rubber made from the milky sap of the Brazilian rubber tree and contains a number of natural proteins. Those proteins can cause an allergic response. You’ll find it in thousands of consumer products, including:

• Medical devices such as gloves, intravenous tubes, catheters, respirators, and blood pressure cuffs

• Dentistry devices like orthodontic rubber bands and dental dams

• Clothing with elastic bands like pants or underwear, running shoes, and raincoats

• School or office supplies ranging from rubber bands to erasers, adhesive tape, rubber cement, and paint

• Elastic bandages, including BAND-AID^® brand bandages

• Rubber balloons (Mylar balloons contain no natural latex rubber)

You need to be aware that a worker’s latex reaction may range from mild to severe—or even be life-threatening.

The most common problem associated with natural latex exposure is due to irritant contact dermatitis—a rash at the point of contact. Symptoms include:

• Itchy hands

• Skin rash that may be warm to the touch

• Hives

• Eczema

These reactions are usually temporary. You may see them begin within minutes of exposure, or it may take several hours to develop. Try hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to soothe the skin. It’s important for you to understand irritant contact dermatitis is not an allergic reaction to natural latex rubber, but the lesions may allow latex proteins into the body and boost the allergy.

Allergic contact dermatitis is caused by the chemicals used to process natural latex rubber. You’ll see a skin condition similar to poison ivy. Symptoms include:

• Blistering

• Itching

• Crusting

The skin conditions usually appear a day or two after someone uses rubber gloves and usually goes away after a few days. But if symptoms reoccur, you should seek medical treatment.

There’s an even more severe reaction you need to be aware of. Latex proteins can sometimes become airborne. When this happens, a hypersensitive person may unknowingly breathe in these proteins and develop more severe reactions. Look for:

• Swollen and red skin, lips, or tongue

• Runny or stuffy nose

• Shortness of breath

• Abdominal pain

• Diarrhea

• Vomiting

• Rapid heartbeat

• Dizziness

Although medications are available to reduce latex allergy symptoms, there is no cure. The best thing you can do is help your workers avoid products that contain latex. Consider:

• Providing non-latex gloves such as nitrile or neoprene. If natural latex gloves must be used, use low-protein powderless gloves.

• Establishing a list of latex materials in the workplace and avoid buying the same items in the future.

• Educating and training employees about the hazards of working with natural latex.

• Having employees report suspected latex sensitivity symptoms.

• Making your first aid providers aware of specific procedures required for latex sensitive individuals.

• Moving sensitive individuals to latex-free zones.