Some American hospitals now offer latex-free ORs. Some products may be much more of a problem than others. In medicine gloves are the biggest single problem. For some individuals, health care workers or patients, any contact with latex can be life-threatening. There are three different types of reactions to natural rubber latex.
Irritation is classed as a non allergic condition.
The irritated skin is dry and crusty, and the symptoms resolve when contact with latex ceases. Delayed hypersensitivity presents as skin becoming dry, crusty and leathery with eruptions appearing as sores and blisters. This response occurs between six and 48 hours after contact. Repeated latex exposure causes the skin condition to expand beyond the area of contact. On the skin this can present hives that migrate beyond the point of contact with latex.