Latex allergy within the perioperative area

Latex allergy is a subject which is causing concern both amongst healthcare workers and in the Department of Health, with reports that significant numbers of NHS staff may have latex hypersensitivity. With this informative article, Janet Cox joins John Clancy and Andrew McVicar to explain the mechanisms that underlie latex hypersensitivity and to make recommendations about how hospitals can deal more effectively with it. The article is based on the text, Physiology and Anatomy, a homeostatic approach, 2nd ed, John Clancy and Andrew McVicar, Arnold, London (in print September 2001).