Healthcare workers are the largest population at risk for developing a latex hypersensitivity. The prevalence of Type I allergy is not known with certainty, but even a low estimate of 5 to 10 percent represents more than 200,000 people in the United States. The cause of the hypersensitivity is usually contact with powdered latex gloves. The accompanying table shows estimates for the primary populations at risk for latex allergy. People with atopic allergy are also at risk.
Atopic allergy is a tendency to produce allergic antibodies and to potentially develop allergies.
It is a recurring risk factor identified in all the populations at risk. An interesting aspect of a latex allergy is the potential for food cross allergic reactions. Some of the foods that may be involved are kiwis, avocados, passion fruit, pineapples, and bananas, with bananas being the most common. The general population does not normally have extended exposure to latex gloves. But this is changing as more food handlers, hairdressers, toll booth operators, and even auto mechanics are wearing latex gloves.