Latex allergy. Prevention is the key

Latex allergy has been recognized as the new allergy of the 1990's, an allergy identified in patients and health care workers. The primary cause is the use of powdered latex gloves. Many of the medical supplies used by the intravenous nurse specialist are made of latex. This allergy is potentially preventable for both the patient and nurse. The IV nurse specialist needs to be aware of the prevalence, symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment of latex allergy.