Think wearing gloves at work is protecting you and saving lives? Think again. Discover why latex gloves is now an allergy hazard.

1. HIDDEN
ALLERGY
HAZARDIn medical workplaces.....
A MUST READ FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS WHO WEAR GLOVES.
THE MOST OBVIOUS

2. THINK WEARING
GLOVES IS
PROTECTING
YOU AND
SAVING LIVES?
Think again.

3. ALLERGIC DISEASE IS INCREASING
FASTER THAN WE CAN MANAGE IT
SAFELY! IT'S A VERY APT TIME TO
TAKE A QUICK AND RELEVANT
CHECK ON YOUR WORKPLACE
PRACTICES.
Could you unknowingly be putting yourself and others at risk...just by wearing gloves,
everyday!
That's right! Do you wear LATEX gloves?
Now try answer these questions and discover for yourself the hidden hazard of latex gloves
in your workplace.
TAKE 2 MINUTES AND CONSIDER THIS.

4. Health care workers have the highest risk of
developing Latex Allergy?
True. While being the allergic-type (atopy) or having
existing dermatitis are important risk factors, the biggest
risk factor for sensitisation to latex is actually just regularly
wearing latex gloves. The good news is there is evidence
that Latex allergic individuals, once they reduce their
exposure (and I'll show you how) can lose their sensitivity to
latex. [1, 2].
TRUE OR FALSE?
QUESTION 1
1.ALLMERS H, BREHLER R, CHEN Z, ET AL. REDUCTION OF LATEX AEROALLERGENS AND LATEX-SPECIFIC
IGE ANTIBODIES IN SENSITIZED WORKERS AFTER REMOVAL OF POWDERED NATURAL RUBBER LATEX
GLOVES IN A HOSPITA, J ALLERGY CLIN IMMUNOL , 1998, VOL. 102 (PG. 841-6)
2. HAMILTON RG, BROWN RH. IMPACT OF PERSONAL AVOIDANCE PRACTICES ON HEALTH CARE WORKERS
SENSITIZED TO NATURAL RUBBER LATE, J ALLERGY CLIN IMMUNOL , 2000, VOL. 105 (PG. 839-41)

5. Latex gloves can cause asthma attacks?
True. Inhalational exposure may occur when aerosolized
glove powder coated with Latex allergens comes into
contact with the mucous membranes of the nose, throat,
and airways of the lung [3]. This Type 1 Hypersensitivity
Reaction is igE mediated and occurs within minutes of
exposure causing allergic rhino-conjunctivitis (itchy +
runny nose and eyes) asthma (coughing, chest tightness and
shortness of breath), urticaria (itchy rashes) and even
anaphylaxis (yes, people can die too).
TRUE OR FALSE?
QUESTION 2
3.WEISSMAN DN, LEWIS DM. ALLERGIC AND LATEX SPECIFIC SENSITIZATION: ROUTE, FREQUENCY, AND
AMOUNT OF EXPOSURE THAT ARE REQUIRED TO INITIATE IGE PRODUCTIO, J ALLERGY CLIN
IMMUNOL , 2002, VOL. 110 SUPPL 2(PG. 57-63)

6. People with latex allergy also have allergies to
fruit?
True. This association occurs. I remember how impressed
I was when my colleague picked up on a Latex-Fruit allergy
just by the unusual collection of fruit intolerances a patient
complained about.
A protein cross-reactivity means latex allergy can be
associated with certain food allergies with sensitisation to
foods, such as kiwi, banana, chestnut, avocado, apple,
potato, tomato, and papaya being reported
TRUE OR FALSE?
QUESTION 3

7. The most common form of Latex allergy is
anaphylaxis?
False. While Latex allergy definitely causes Type 1
Hypersensitivity reactions presenting as asthma or
anaphylaxis, the most common form of latex allergy is
Contact Allergic Dermatitis; a more delayed presentation of
itchy hand + forearm rashes caused by a delayed Type 4
Hypersensitivity response. Latex Allergy can also present as
irritant dermatitis.
TRUE OR FALSE?
QUESTION 4

8. Hypoallergenic is the same as Latex-Free?
False. It should be emphasized that “hypoallergenic gloves”
may not be safe for either latex-allergic or rubber
accelerator–allergic patients.
TRUE OR FALSE?
QUESTION 5

9. (Now we are really getting globalaai aware!)
YES!
NOW ASK YOURSELF......
you put on a pair of gloves....
Will you check to see if they are latex or non-latex gloves?
NEXT TIME
you see anaphylaxis or asthma....
Will you consider the possibility latex could be the cause?
NEXT TIME
(Now we are getting globalaai aware!)
YES!

10. I previously wasn't aware of whether my
gloves were latex or latex-free (or why it
even mattered!)
Yet mindlessly I used them everyday not
realising the risk that one day a latex-
allergic patient in front of me having an
asthma attack, runny nose or even
anaphylaxis could be because of my latex
gloves.
By the way this happens to an ambulance
officer when his latex gloves (ironically
assisting a patient having an anaphylactic
creation from a latex balloon) proceeded
to given her a second ife threatening
anaphylaxis....all because of his gloves!
NOW YOU ARE!
I ADMIT...I ONLY RECENTLY BECAME GLOBALAAI AWARE.....

11. It’s no wonder how 100 000 or so direct skin exposures to latex or
inhalation of air-borne powdered latex over the course of my
working career is responsible for the high rate of latex sensitisation
in health care workers.
"WHEN I DRESS WOUNDS, I PUT
GLOVES ON.
IF I TAKE BLOOD, I PUT GLOVES ON.
LET’S REMOVE THIS WART,
WHERE’S MY GLOVES?"
The reported prevalence of latex immediate-type (type I) sensitivity has varied
between 2.9% and 12.1% [4], and the annual incidence of sensitization has been
between 1% and 2.5% . The prevalence of occupational rhino-conjunctivitis with
latex glove exposure is reported as ranging from 1.2% to 16.3%, whereas the
prevalence of occupational asthma is reported to be as high as 6.8% [5]
IT'S TIME EVERYONE REALISE WE ARE BEING AFFECTED AND TAKE ACTION.
4. GARABRANT DH, SCHWEITZER S. EPIDEMIOLOGY OF LATEX SENSITIZATION AND ALLERGIES IN HEALTH CARE WORKER, J ALLERGY CLIN
IMMUNOL , 2002, VOL. 110 SUPPL 2(PG. 82-95)
5. FISH JE. OCCUPATIONAL ASTHMA AND RHINOCONJUNCTIVITIS INDUCED BY NATURAL RUBBER LATEX EXPOSUR, J ALLERGY CLIN
IMMUNOL , 2002, VOL. 110 SUPPL 2(PG. 75-81)

12. TAKING ACTION IS EASY. HERE IS HOW.
Start by SHARING this with your work
colleagues!
1. TAG YOUR HR DEPARTMENT + BOSSES +
COLLEAGUES.
2. PLACE A PRINTED COPY ON YOUR WORKPLACE
NOTICEBOARD (everyone needs a REMINDER!)
3. ADD YOUR INFO@WORKPLACE EMAIL AT THE
END AND WE WILL SEND YOU YOUR FREE GUIDE
TO A LATEX-SAFE WORKPLACE.
LET'S EXPEDIATE
ALLERGY
WORKPLACE
SAFETY

13.
INFORM YOUR EMPLOYER and your
personal healthcare professionals that you
have latex allergy.You can still work in
health care.
AVOID touching, using, or being near
latex-containing products. Avoid areas
where latex is likely to be inhaled (for
example, where powdered latex gloves are
being used).
WEAR a medical alert bracelet.
Follow your doctor’s recommendations
about latex allergy.
Before undergoing a medical procedure or
surgery, consult the specialist who will
perform the procedure about any
modifications that may be needed. .
WHAT IF YOU HAVE A LATEX ALLERGY?

14. THE GOOD NEWS
IS THERE IS VERY GOOD
EVIDENCE SUGGESTING
THAT LATEX ALLERGIC
INDIVIDUALS, IF THEY
AVOID LATEX CAN
REDUCE THEIR
SENSITISATION TO
LATEX!
Peter M. Ranta Dennis R. Ownby. A Review of Natural-Rubber Latex Allergy in Health
Care Workers. Clinical Infectious Diseases, Volume 38, Issue 2, 15 January 2004, Pages
252–256
LATEX-SAFE WORKPLACES ARE VITAL

15. 5 GLOVE RULESFor A Latex-Safe Medical Workplace.
Get your FREE copy NOW!

16. Which non-latex gloves are safe?
How to section-off latex from non-latex medical
products.
How to get the most up to date Allergy training
for your staff.
How to recognise allergy promptly and who to
contact if you think you have an latex allergy.
How to get an EPIEPN STATIONS (with LATEX
FREE EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT +
DEFIBRILLATORS ) ensuring premium allergy
safety for staff.
Receive your FREE Guide to a Latex-
Safe workplace and find out:

17. INCREASING LATEX
ALLERGY AWARENESS.
AND REDUCING OCCUPATIONALLY
ACQUIRED LATEX ALLERGIES
A GLOBALAAI WORKPLACE INITIATIVE: EYES ON ALLERGY
PRESS HERE TO DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE GUIDE
INFO@GLOBALAAI.ORG
get my copy

18. DR SUZAN
BEKIR
Medical Advisory Board Member and
Ambassador of globalaai.
Clinical Director and co-creator of
collective. care
Allergy/ENT/Skin/laser Clinics and
Australian Allergy Centre
Accredited GP Specialist Skills
supervisor with GP Synergy for
Allergy/ENT/Skin/Laser/Cosmetics
and GP Specialist Skill mentor.
Medical Content Creator atf Brand-
Aid medical marketing
iTunes Podcast: Dr Suzie
suzie@drsuzie.com.au.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR