Latex allergy T78.4

Usually IgE-mediated type I reaction to latex-containing products (rarely type IV reactions). After contact with surgical gloves, examination gloves, household gloves, plasters, respiratory masks, urine bags, intestinal tubes, etc., but also by mere stay in rooms where latex gloves were used, the reaction occurs in the sense of contact urticaria with not uncommon generalisation up to anaphylaxis.

Besides skin reactions, mucous membrane reactions are also possible, e.g. indirect contact with latex-containing volatile particles (rhinitis, conjunctivitis, bronchial asthma; see below). rhinoconjunctivitis allergica).

• Widespread availability and increased consumption of disposable latex gloves in health care facilities for protection against HIV infection and other blood-borne infectious diseases.
• Use of latex in bladder catheters, tubes, respiratory masks, plasters, etc.
• Production-related high protein and allergen content in latex products.

• Stage I: Localized contact urticaria
• Stage II: Generalized urticaria including lid edema
• Stage III: bronchial asthma allergy, rhinoconjunctivitis,
• orolaryngeal and gastrointestinal symptoms
• Stage IV: Anaphylactic shock.

• Prick test with partially standardized, partially already standardized commercial natural latex test extracts from various suppliers, natural latex milk (if possible low ammoniacal or non-ammoniacal natural latex milk), extract from powdered medical gloves containing natural latex (glove extract)

Remember!

• Standard series of aero- and food allergies (to detect associated sensitisations).
• Testing for specific IgE antibodies against natural latex in serum (even in severe natural latex allergic reactions specific IgE antibodies are not always detectable).
• Provocation tests: Wearing test with moistened fingertips containing natural latex allergens for 20 minutes; control test with synthetic material on the other hand.
  • If negative: closed epicutaneous test for 20 minutes with moistened glove material containing natural latex allergens on an area of 5 × 5 cm (preferably on the back of the hand), control test with synthetic glove on the other hand.
  • If negative: 20-minute wear test with glove containing natural latex allergens, control test with synthetic glove on the other hand; if necessary, conjunctival, nasal or bronchial provocation test with natural latex test solution; if necessary, imitation of a situation described as causing symptoms with natural latex contact.

• Lung function diagnostics
• Natural latex allergen detection in the suspected exposure area by dust analysis
• Diagnostics to detect natural latex allergy-associated food allergy
• Diagnosis of associated immediate type allergy to ficus benjamina.

• Issue of an allergy passport.
• Carrying and use of an emergency medication if required (oral, fast-acting antihistamine and oral glucocorticoid, each as a dropping solution or tablet; adrenaline syringe for injection).
• Notification of occupational diseases in the event of occupational sensitisation and/or complaints at the workplace, if necessary, a dermatologist's report in advance.
• Rehabilitation of the workplace: Natural latex allergen-free working materials for the person concerned and elimination of powdered gloves containing natural latex allergens in the entire area. If necessary, use of gloves free of natural latex allergens may be necessary; if these measures are insufficient: abandonment of the workplace (rarely necessary in the case of consistent absence).
• In the case of a confirmed associated food allergy, appropriate leave of absence measures.

• Latex is the milk of certain tropical plants, which is extracted after cutting into the bark of the plant. The rubber tree Hevea brasiliensis provides 95% of the world's harvest. Natural latex consists mainly of water (50-60%) and natural rubber (30-35%). To a lesser extent, it also contains proteins, resins, carbohydrates, inorganic salts and fatty acids. It is not the natural rubber itself but the proteins that can trigger allergic reactions of the immediate type in sensitized persons.
• Latex can be encountered in all areas of the labor market where natural latex-containing occupational substances are found, among weavers with contact to latex threads, in textile and rubber band production, in the automotive industry, among workers with powdered latex gloves, shoe salesmen, gardeners, workers in the glove and doll industry and especially among healthcare workers and patients suffering from spina bifida.
• In order to reduce the risk of developing latex sensitization, an allergen content of 0.5 µg allergen/g for rubber products and an allergen limit value of 0.5 ^ng/m3 for indoor air at workplaces have been proposed.
• Cross-reactions with plants, fruits or vegetables are relatively frequent:
  • Plants: Ficus benjamina (birch fig), Christ thorn, rubber tree, hemp, hops (beer), periwinkle, coffee (also as a drink), cacti, coral spurge, manioc, mulberry tree, oleander, Rauwolfia (partly in plant-based medicines), poinsettia.
  • Fruits: pineapple, avocado, banana, dates, chestnut, figs, kiwi, mango, melon, orange, papaya, passion fruit (passion fruit),
  • peach, tomato, grapes.
  • Vegetables/salad: chicory, endive, potato, lettuce, dandelion, radiccio, salsify, asparagus.

• Note! Occupational dermatological evaluation: Assessment of the reduction in earning capacity: Depending on the clinical picture of the latex contact urticaria syndrome, the effects of the allergy in the occupational disease according to No. 5101 of the Annex to the Ordinance on Occupational Diseases are to be assessed from "minor" to "severe". The clinically most frequently encountered stage I is generally assessed as "minor". Stages II and III are classified as "moderate" to "severe" depending on their severity, while stage IV is classified as "severe".

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