|
|
Article: Two nurses leave profession because of latex allergy.
- Article from:
- AORN Journal
- Article date:
- September 1, 2002
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2002 Association of Operating Room Nurses, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
The first reported case of latex allergy, an antigenic response to the complex compounds found in natural rubber latex, occurred in 1979 in a British woman who developed a hypersensitive reaction to household rubber gloves, according to media kit from the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists. Latex allergy can produce a multitude of symptoms, including skin rashes, runny nose, sore throat, sneezing, wheezing, watery eyes, and anaphylaxis.
During the last 20 years, reports of latex allergy have increased markedly. The primary reason for this increase is the introduction of universal precautions, which require that health care workers wear latex gloves to ...