Once a person has become sensitized to latex protein, they may have a serious reaction when exposed to any latex product. Healthcare workers are not the only people who should be concerned about this issue. Anyone who works with latex or uses latex gloves on a regular basis is at risk. People with Spina Bifida also have an incidence of latex allergy as high as fifty percent. Others who may be at increased risk are those who have had many medical or surgical procedures, resulting in exposure to latex gloves.
Symptoms vary from person to person.
It can range from rhinitis and urticaria to asthma and anaphylaxis. There is no way to predict who will go on to display a more serious reaction. One of our goals as an organization is to educate people about latex allergy and to help make changes that will protect people with latex allergy from exposures that can be avoided. For example, a recent study demonstrated that food can be contaminated by latex protein through its handling by latex gloves and suggested that food handlers should either follow appropriate hygienic procedures or use nonlatex gloves. In Florida it is permissible for people preparing food to wear latex gloves.