Reports about the prevalence of latex allergy vary greatly. This variation is probably due to different levels of exposure and methods for estimating latex sensitization or allergy. Among sensitized workers, a variable proportion have symptoms or signs of latex allergy. Some manufacturers may have produced more allergenic gloves because of changes in raw materials, processing, or manufacturing procedures to meet the increased demand for latex gloves. These production changes may account partly for the varied concentrations of extractable latex proteins reported for latex gloves.
Variations also exist between lots produced by the same manufacturer.
Research indicates that gloves manufactured in the United States are superior to those manufactured abroad with respect to maintenance of integrity. Physicians are more familiar with latex allergy and have improved methods for diagnosing it. Encourage its departments to change over to nonlatex products whenever possible. Require all departments to provide a selection of nonlatex gloves and other products made of nitrile, neoprene, vinyl or other material to faculty and staff who request them when they can be used without compromising patient care. Departments that provide latex gloves to their students must also provide gloves made from alternate materials to students that request them.