For those who are already allergic to natural latex rubber, treatment with antihistamines should not be considered a safe alternative to avoidance and, in fact, use of antihistamines may delay detection of acute reactions. Family physicians are well advised to adopt office policies offering this same measure of safety both for patients and for health care workers. See article on page 93. Dr. Charous is an assistant clinical professor in the section of Allergy and Immunology at the Medical College of Wisconsin. He is director of the Allergy and Respiratory Care Center at the Milwaukee Medical Clinic and chairman of the Division of Allergy and Immunology, Columbia Hospital, Milwaukee.
Latex allergy can induce clinical reactions to specific foods.
Reddy S. Latex allergy. Vandenplas O. Occupational asthma caused by natural rubber latex. Latex Hypersensitivity Committee. Quantification of occupational latex aeroallergens in a medical center. Control of airborne latex by use of powder-free, latex gloves.