Abstract

Adverse reactions to latex are various from localized skin problem to systemic anaphylaxis, even causing death. There are few reports on latex glove hypersensitivity in Korea, even though clinically the adverse reactions to latex sporadically have been reported. The purpose of this study was to survey the prevalence rate of adverse reactions to latex glove and compare the rate of allergy to ordinary latex glove with those 4 types of hypoallergenic gloves. Data on adverse reaction to latex gloves and symptoms as well as risk factors were collected from 63 operating room nurses using a questionnaire and direct observation of skim prick test. Questionnaire was used to survey the adverse reactions including the type I and IV, skin prick test was used to survey latex allergy defined type I. Among respondents, 25 nurses with adverse reaction to latex gloves were selected for the skin prick and exposure test with 5 latex gloves ( 1 ordinary glove, 4 hypoallergenic gloves) using the repeated measures design of the counterbalancing method. The results were followed : 1) The response rate of questionnaire was 96.8%, and the prick test was performed in 61 out of 63 nurses. 2) Common symptoms of adverse reactions to latex gloves were rash (49.2%), skin itching (44.3%), dizziness (31.3%), and eye itching (26.2%). 3) The prevalence rate of adverse reactions to latex glove was 80.3%. 4) The prevalence rate of latex allergy was 9.8%. The relationship between the latex allergy and atopy was significant, i.e. the atopic persons had more latex allergy than the non-atopics. 5) In 5 latex gloves, the prevalence rate of latex allergy by skin prick test and skin exposure test was follows : 16%, 24% for skin angel gloves, 8%, 24% for hypoallergenic HAG glove, 12%, 4% for hypoallergenic SmooTer-R glove, 8%, 0% for hypoallergenic Candle glove, 8%, 24% for hypoallergenic Neutralon glove respectively. There was no difference in prevalence rate of latex allergy among gloves by skin prick test. As the results of skin exposure test, the usual latex gloves had higher prevalence rate of latex allergy than the hypoallergenic gloves (p<0.0001).