Latex allergy. History, diagnosis and prevention

During the past 10 years the incidence of natural rubber latex (NRL) allergy has dramatically increased. It occurs predominantly in certain high risk group: health care workers, latex industry workers, immune compromised individuals (such as children with spina bifida) and persons with positive risk factors (such as multiple surgeries). The epidemiology, history, mechanism, clinical symptoms and signs, and diagnosis of latex allergy are presented briefly. The subject of this review is to understand the importance in reducing the prevalence of latex allergy: reducing exposure, using appropriate work practices, training and educating workers, monitoring symptoms and substituting non latex products when appropriate.