Volume 69 Numbers 1 & 2 January/March 2002	back to contents

Latex Allergy	88-95
Barbara Zucker-Pinchoff, M.D.1, and Gary J. Stadtmauer, M.D.2

¹Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Anesthesiology, and ²Assistant Clinical Professor,
Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY.

Address correspondence to Barbara Zucker-Pinchoff, M.D., 1000 Northern Blvd., Suite 190W, Great Neck, NY 11021.

ABSTRACT

IgE-mediated allergy to natural rubber latex is a new health hazard about which information has been evolving for the past decade. This sensitivity poses a particular threat to children with congenital malformations or a history of multiple surgical interventions, and to individuals with high workplace exposure, such as health care workers. The only currently available treatment is complete avoidance of latex, which may require a change of workplace and loss of career. Latex allergy can lead to chronic occupational asthma, anaphylaxis, and even death. Preventive measures must be taken, in part because no treatment is available. This article provides an overview of latex allergy, and recommends some measures that may prevent its continuing dissemination and reduce its life-threatening risk.

KEYWORDS

Latex allergy, environmental allergy, occupational allergy.

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