Some are very severely allergic. Others have minor symptoms. That is similar to the experience in other industrialised countries. He said the incidence appeared to be linked to increased glove usage over the past seven or eight years, and the use of cheaper gloves because of budget cuts. Latex or rubber surgical gloves can be washed and treated in the manufacturing process.
Gloves are also available in other materials.
However, they are more expensive. Health care staff are sensitised to latex proteins both directly and indirectly, by using latex gloves and other products on a daily basis, and by absorbing free latex proteins in the air. Powdered gloves are seen as a particular problem. Corn starch powder used on the gloves makes it easier to put them on. However, the powder also helped to carry latex proteins into the air conditioning system, Prof Potter said.