Latex allergy has many implications for health care workers which extend beyond the occupational setting. Most reports of life-threatening anaphylactic reactions during surgery and other procedures have involved sensitised health care workers. These individuals need to know the risk they run when they themselves are patients. Mucosal contact with latex appears to be a far more potent trigger for anaphylactic reactions than cutaneous contact. People with latex allergy must be given anaesthesia and surgery in a totally latex-free environment.
Atopic individuals appear to be especially at risk for sensitisation to the latex protein.
Adequate counselling about occupational exposure and advice about methods of minimising the risk need to be considered in view of this and other studies. Latex gloves from different sources vary in the amount of latex protein detectable on the surface. Presumably, those with less cause less sensitisation and should be preferred in a workplace where glove use is mandatory. Acknowledgements We would like to thank Maggie Melink for valuable assistance and the staff of the Westmead Dental School for their cooperation. SAS Institute Inc, 1991.