Latex Allergy: Reduce Latex Exposure
When you decrease or eliminate exposure to the latex allergen, this is called environmental control. Evidence shows that allergy and asthma symptoms may improve over time if the recommended environmental control changes are made. Environmental control measures to consider for allergy to latex include:
- Generally, the most important latex exposure to avoid is powder from powdered latex gloves. Solid objects containing latex, such as rubber bands, blood pressure tubing, bicycle tires, and the like, are not a hazard for asthma or hay fever symptoms because they do not emit latex particles.
- Healthcare workers allergic to latex should wear alternative products such as nitrile examining gloves instead of latex, and they should ask their coworkers to wear nitrile gloves, or at least a non-powdered latex glove. If this is not possible, seek reassignment to an area where powdered latex gloves are not used.
- Non-healthcare professionals allergic to latex should communicate their allergic conditions to medical staff when undergoing a checkup or medical procedure. This is especially important in the case of surgery. You could even bring your own non-latex gloves to any medical appointment in case your caregiver doesn't have any.
- Check labeling on products you buy. ‘Hypoallergenic' does not necessarily mean ‘no latex'.
- Wear a med-alert bracelet or necklace describing your allergy, in case you ever need emergency care.
- Carry an injectable epinephrine pen in case of an anaphylactic reaction.
This information has been approved by Karin Pacheco, MD (March 2009).
