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Clinical Management of Latex Allergy
Author(s) -
Bey Donna,
Browne Barry
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
nutrition in clinical practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.725
H-Index - 71
eISSN - 1941-2452
pISSN - 0884-5336
DOI - 10.1177/011542659701200268
Subject(s) - medicine , universal precautions , health care , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , natural history , latex allergy , flexibility (engineering) , allergy , intensive care medicine , family medicine , immunology , economics , economic growth , statistics , mathematics
The use of latex gloves in the health care setting dates back to the 1800s, when these products were introduced as a means of preventing the passage of microorganisms to operating room patients. 1 Today, fear of human immunodeficiency virus transmission and other blood‐borne diseases has led to implementation of standardized guidelines for glove use for health care professionals. Because of the unique combination of strength, flexibility, and elasticity of natural rubber, latex is typically the material of choice for a variety of medical products, including examination gloves. Unfortunately, routine use of latex in the health care setting may be detrimental to patients and caregivers with a history of natural rubber latex hypersensitivity reactions.