By Dr. Michael C. Zacharisen, MD for Latex Allergy 101
1 in 10 cases of asthma in adults is caused by or worsened by exposures at the workplace
Up to 18% of healthcare workers have natural rubber latex allergy
Natural rubber latex products contain large rubber proteins from the rubber tree that can:
- Stimulate the immune system to make allergic antibody that can be measured in blood (IgE)
- Be carried on cornstarch particles and become airborne and inhaled into the lungs
Sources of airborne latex: powdered natural rubber latex gloves, rubber balloons
At risk jobs:
- Health care workers: physicians (especially surgeons), dentists, nurses, dental hygienists, dental and medical students, and laboratory technicians
- Housekeeping staff
- Food handlers
Diagnosis: Establish Asthma AND determine whether asthma is triggered by latex.
- Asthma symptoms (cough, wheeze, chest tightness, shortness of breath)
- Location: Initially at workplace that usually improves away from work, on weekends and while on vacation; however, over time, symptoms can become persistent
- Examination by physician
- Chest x‐ray: can help eliminate other lung problems, but can be normal in asthma
- Spirometry: a simple breathing test that can establish air flow obstruction.
- Methacholine challenge: A breathing test to confirm asthma when spirometry is normal.
- Latex allergy: blood (IgE RAST or ELISA); there is no skin test extract available
- Avoid and/or reduce airborne latex: Substitute powdered latex gloves with low protein powder‐free latex gloves or latex‐free gloves).
- Avoid rubber balloons
- Once allergic to latex, other irritants like smoke and fumes can aggravate asthma
- Using face masks can reduce latex exposure, but does not completely prevent latex asthma.
- Treat asthma with usual asthma medications.
- Desensitization injections are not currently available for treatment.