Latex allergy literature review: evidence for making military treatment facilities latex safe

Latex allergy has become the epidemic of the 1990s for health care workers, as indicated by a remarkable increase in its prevalence. This literature review provides a brief background to the latex problem, strategies for prevention and management, a cost analysis of glove substitution in a clinical setting, and the implications for the military environment. Primary care providers must recognize the financial, medico-legal, occupational, and personal ramifications of latex allergy. Risk managers should realize that moving to a latex-free environment will reduce liability.