Study of allergic reactions to natural latex gloves among Sri Lankan health care workers

Abstract

Natural rubber latex is the most common source material for surgical and examination gloves. The introduction of universal precautions in health care settings to prevent the spread of AIDS & Hepatitis-B has dramatically increased the usage of gloves. Latex gloves may contain natural latex, numerous chemicals and powder, which the human immune system responds to sometimes. There are 3 types of such responses. They are Irritant Contact Dermatitis, Allergic Contact Dermatitis and Latex Allergy. Irritant Contact Dermatitis occurs mainly due to direct irritation from glove powder. Allergic Contact Dermatitis is a specific immune response to chemical additives contained in latex products and symptoms are often indistinguishable from Irritant Contact Dermatitis. Therefore in this study, both irritant and allergic contact dermatitis are defined as Contact Dermatitis. Latex allergy is caused by latex proteins. Allergic reactions to latex products is now an international concern, which has not been given proper recognition in Sri Lanka and other Asian countries, where almost 100% of the world's supply of latex gloves is being produced. International awareness of latex allergy in recent years has resulted in a dramatic increase in the use of synthetic rubber gloves. This will be a significant drawback for the Sri Lankan and Asian export market for latex products. In Sri Lanka, no statistical study has been carried out to detect allergic responses to latex gloves. The purpose of this study is to determine the extent of latex allergy prevailing among Sri Lankan health care workers by doing a comprehensive statistical study.