5 OUT OF 10 HEALTHCARE WORKERS REPORT SKIN-RELATED REACTIONS

The incidence of possibly developing a latex allergy is lower than a healthcare worker reporting a skin-related reaction. However, an allergy to latex, can in rare cases be life threatening; while a chemical allergy (allergic contact dermatitis) may be career ending if left unchecked. Ongoing education with healthcare workers to recognize the risks and understand what they can do to protect and prevent from either developing an allergy in the first place will help create a safer workplace.

SKIN-RELATED REACTIONS ARE MORE PREVALENT THAN TYPE I LATEX ALLERGY

Be the advocate for change to a latex-free environment and help eliminate or reduce the incidence of latex and chemical allergies for you and your staff.

Latex sensitization rates for healthcare workers vary between 10%-17%.^1,2

Over 49% of healthcare workers with occupational skin-related reactions have Type IV chemical allergy (Allergic Contact Dermititis).³

Up to 82% of allergies are caused by chemical accelerators.^3,4

Latex-specific immunoglobulin (IgE) decreased in 88% of sensitized individuals when exposed to non-latex materials.⁵

CHEMICAL ACCELERATORS THAT CAUSE ALLERGIES

It helps to know what goes into the gloves you and your staff wear. Some chemical accelerators used in the manufacture of both latex and non-latex gloves are known to cause allergic contact dermatitis (a Type IV chemical allergy) and have been reported as allergens in skin-related incidences.

Used in the manufacture of gloves, chemical accelerators transform the raw material into strong and elastic glove films.

Advancements in glove manufacturing have led to chemical accelerators either being completely eliminated or substituted with biologically-safer chemical accelerators proven not to cause sensitization.

Learn how glove advancements help you avoid sensitization to known allergens.

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STILL USING LATEX GLOVES? WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

If latex gloves are still found in your hospital because of resistance you are facing from glove wearers; or, the perceived costs of moving to non-latex gloves, let us help you unveil the risks that are not visible to the naked eye.

References:

1. De Queiroz M, Combet S, Berard J, Pouyau A, Genest H, Mouriquand P, Chassard D. 2009. Latex allergy in children: modalities and prevention. Paediatric Anaesthesia. 19: 313-319.
2. Brehler R, Kütting B. 2001. Natural rubber latex allergy. Archives of Internal Medicine. 161: 1057-1064.
3. Higgins C, Palmer A, Cahill J, Nixon R. Occupational skin disease among Australian healthcare workers: a retrospective analysis from an occupational dermatology clinic, 1993-2014. Contact Dermatitis. 2016;75(4):213-22.
4. Heese A, Hintzenstern JV, Peters K, Koch HU, Hornstein OP. 1991. Allergic and irritant reactions to rubber gloves in medical health services. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 25:831-839.
5. Hamilton R, Brown R. 2000. Impact of personal avoidance practices on health care workers sensitized to natural rubber latex. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 839-841.