- A distinction must be made between latex allergy and allergy to rubber additives (vulcanization accelerators, antioxidants, etc.).
- Latex allergy is usually an IgE-mediated type I reaction (type IV reactions are rarely described; see below allergy). After contact with surgical gloves, examination gloves, household gloves, plasters, respiratory masks, urine bags, intestinal tubes, a reaction occurs in the form of contact urticaria with not infrequent generalisation and even anaphylaxis. Besides skin reactions, mucosal reactions are also possible in indirect contact with latex-containing aerogenic particles (powdered gloves: allergic rhinitis/conjunctivitis/bronchial asthma). The sensitization rate of risk groups (e.g. health care workers) to latex or accelerating agents has increased significantly in recent years (3-10%) with the increased use of latex gloves. Cross-reactions exist with food allergens (banana, avocado, kiwi, sweet chestnut) and ficus plants (indoor allergens), e.g. ficus benjamina.
- Among the contact allergens (type IV), rubber additives are among the most common allergens ( mercaptobenzothiazoles, thiurams, dithiocarbamates, N-isopropyl-N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine and others). Occurrence of contact eczema on exposure to rubber materials containing Additiva (gloves, masks, materials containing neoprene, etc.)
Rubber allergyT74.8
DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.
TherapyThis section has been translated automatically.
- Avoid the allergen and if necessary change to latex-free and powder-free gloves (see table Gloves and ingredients). It is important to change the latex material during examinations/operations as severe anaphylactic reactions can occur (aerogenic or by direct contact). In case of occupational relevance report to accident insurance companies.
- Due to the frequency of sensitization and risks associated with anaphylactic reactions, some authors demand that latex gloves (especially powdered ones) be completely avoided. If possible, use of vinyl gloves both professionally and privately, as they are free of latex and additives, see occupational dermatoses.
TablesThis section has been translated automatically.
Gloves and ingredients (according to Heese)
Gloves |
Thiurame |
Carbamates |
Benzothiazoles |
Thiourea |
Latex |
Powder |
Manufacturer/distribution |
Ansell Conform sterile |
? |
? |
o |
o |
? |
o |
Ansell |
Ansell Conform non-sterile |
o |
? |
? |
o |
? |
o |
Ansell |
Micro-touch UHS non-sterile |
o |
? |
? |
o |
? |
o |
Johnson & Johnson |
Micro-touch UHS sterile |
o |
? |
? |
o |
? |
o |
Johnson & Johnson |
Peha soft sterile |
o |
? |
? |
o |
? |
o |
Paul Hartmann |
Ansell No Powder Exam |
? |
? |
o |
o |
? |
o |
Ansell |
Absogel |
o |
? |
? |
o |
? |
o |
Unigloves |
Flexam powder-free |
o |
? |
? |
o |
? |
o |
Baxter |
Sempermed Exam glove PF |
o |
? |
? |
o |
? |
o |
Semperit |
Gentle Skin Anatomy |
o |
? |
o |
o |
? |
o |
Meditrade |
Gentle Skin |
o |
? |
o |
o |
? |
o |
Meditrade |
Gads powder-free |
o |
? |
o |
o |
? |
o |
Mölnlycke |
Regent Biogel D |
o |
? |
o |
o |
? |
o |
Emasdi KG |
Regent Biogel Diagnostics |
o |
? |
o |
o |
? |
o |
Regent Hospitalprod. |
Safeskin Durafit |
o |
? |
o |
o |
? |
o |
Safeskin |
Safeskin powder-free |
o |
? |
o |
o |
? |
o |
Safeskin |
Safeskin Satin Plus |
o |
? |
o |
o |
? |
o |
Safeskin |
N-Dex Nitrile-HS |
o |
o |
? |
o |
o |
? |
Dr. Korsing/C. Roth |
glovex neoderm |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
? |
Beiersdorf |
Vinyl (PVC)-HS |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
? |
various manufacturers |
N-Dex Nitrile-HS powder-free |
o |
o |
? |
o |
o |
o |
Dr. Korsing/C. Roth |
Vinyl (PVC)-HS powder free |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
several manufacturers |
Xantoglov unpowdered |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
Bayer AG |
Manufacturer and sales addresses of therapeutic alternative disposable gloves
Ansell GmbH, Stahlgruberring 3, 81829 Munich |
Baxter GmbH, Edisonstrasse 3-4, 85716 Munich-Unterschleissheim |
Becton-Dickinson, Tullastr. 8-12, 69126 Heidelberg |
Beiersdorf AG, Unnastrasse 48, 20253 Hamburg |
Sigma Dental Systems - Emasdi GmbH, Heideland 22, 24941 Jarplund-Weding |
Paul Hartmann AG, Paul-Hartmann-Str., 89522 Heidenheim |
Johnson & Johnson GmbH, Oststrasse 1, 22844 Norderstedt |
Dr. K. Korsing GmbH, Robert Perthel Str. 38, 50739 Cologne |
Medimex GmbH, Royal row 22, 22041 Hamburg |
Rösner-Mautby Meditrade GmbH, Thierseestr. 196, 83088 Kiefersfelden |
Mölnlycke Health Care GmbH, Max-Planck-Str. 15, 40699 Erkrath |
Regent Medical GmbH, Edisonstrasse 5, 63477 Maintal |
Carl Roth GmbH & Co, Schoemperlenstr. 3, 76185 Karlsruhe |
Safeskin Germany, Loheweg 27, 85375 Neufahrn |
Semperit Technische Produkte GmbH, Mühlenstr. 25, 58285 Gevelsberg |
Thiele GmbH, Hasselbinnen 26, 22869 Schenefeld |
Unigloves Ärzte- u. Klinikbedarf GmbH, Ampérestr. 24, 53844 Troisdorf |
Latex free product |
Trade name/Product property |
Distribution/manufacturer |
Suction devices/hoses |
nasal aspirator |
Baby Nova (Novatex) GmbH, Pattensen |
Medena suction connection / set and hose |
Medimex GmbH, Hamburg |
|
Respiratory bag |
Respiratory bag |
Weinmann GmbH & Co KG, Hamburg |
|
Respiratory aids
|
Güdel tube, Güdel/ spiral tube, endotracheal catheter, endotracheal tubes |
Rüsch AG, Waiblingen |
Wendl-Tube green |
Portex |
|
Ventilation masks |
All-round anaesthetic mask |
Rüsch AG, Waiblingen |
Ventilation mask |
Weinmann GmbH & Co KG, Hamburg |
|
Pocket masks |
Laerdal Medical |
|
Indwelling catheter |
Norta |
Beiersdorf AG, Hamburg |
Blood pressure cuff |
Heine Gamma blood pressure monitors |
Heine Optotechnik GmbH & Co KG, Herrsching |
Fixation plasters |
Vecafix |
Becton Dickinson GmbH, Heidelberg |
Ensure-it catheter fixation dressing |
Becton Dickinson GmbH, Heidelberg |
|
Mefix i.v. |
Mölnlycke GmbH, Erkrath |
|
Mepore sterile/unsterile |
Mölnlycke GmbH, Erkrath |
|
Gloves |
Vinyl gloves |
Dahlhausen & Co GmbH, Cologne |
glovex neoderm |
Beiersdorf AG, Hamburg |
|
Infusion system |
Infusion device P87 |
Becton Dickinson GmbH, Heidelberg |
Infusion solutions |
out of plastic bags |
Braun Shiva B. Gmbh & Co KG, Glandorf |
Needles |
Sterican |
Braun AG, Melsungen |
Microlance 3 |
Becton Dickinson GmbH, Heidelberg |
|
Gastric tube |
Gastric tube made of PVC |
Rüsch AG, Waiblingen |
Mouthguard |
Medimask |
Hartmann AG, Heidenheim |
|
Syringes
|
Glass syringes, fine dosing syringes, syringes 2-20 ml |
Braun AG, Melsungen |
Discardit II, Plastipak |
Becton Dickinson GmbH, Heidelberg |
|
Stethoscope |
Classic II S.E. |
3M Germany GmbH, Neuss |
Stethoscope tube |
Rüsch AG, Waiblingen |
|
Tracheostomy tube |
Tracheostomy tube (Tracheoquick) |
Rüsch AG, Waiblingen |
Indwelling venous cannula |
Venflon Pro |
Becton Dickinson GmbH, Heidelberg |
Adsyte Pro |
Becton Dickinson GmbH, Heidelberg |
|
Closing plugs |
Combination stopper red/blue, sealing cones red/blue/white |
Braun AG, Melsungen |
Tongue depressor |
wooden mouth spatula |
Hartmann AG, Heidenheim |
Central Vein Catheter |
Careflow |
Becton Dickinson GmbH, Heidelberg |
LiteratureThis section has been translated automatically.
- Allmers H et al (1996) Latex sensitization and latex allergen concentration in the air. Allergology 2: 68-70
- Bacharach-Buhles M et al (1996) Latex allergy: hand eczema and differential diagnosis. Allergology 2: 75-77
- Chowdhury MM et al (2003) Natural rubber latex allergy in a health-care population in Wales. Br J Dermatol 148: 737-740
- Recommendation of the interdisciplinary working group (1995) Natural latex allergy. Allergology 5: 248-251
- Hepner DL, Castells MC (2003) Latex allergy: an update. Anesth Analg 96: 1219-1929
- Pereira C et al (2003) Specific immunotherapy for severe latex allergy. Allerg Immunol (Paris) 35: 217-225
- Rustemeyer T et al (1994) Contact allergies in medical professions. dermatologist 45: 834-844
- Schürer NY et al (1995) The latex allergy. dermatologist 1995 46: 742-753