Latex Allergy Treatment & Management

  • Author: Amy J Behrman, MD; Chief Editor: Erik D Schraga, MD   more...
 
Updated: Nov 30, 2011
 

Prehospital Care

  • Prehospital providers should be aware of the risk of latex allergy in patients and providers.
  • Search for and read MedicAlert-type bracelets.
  • Note the patient's history of relevant allergies to medical devices or fruits.
  • To rule out latex allergy that could worsen with further medical exposure, review the patient's history of activities/exposures immediately preceding any systemic allergic reaction.
  • Use powder-free latex gloves or, ideally, high-quality nonlatex gloves to minimize risk to patients and providers. Latex-free resuscitation and intravenous (IV) access equipment should be available for high-risk patients. Do not give medication from rubber-topped multidose vials or through latex IV ports in latex-allergic patients.
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Emergency Department Care

Patients with known or suspected latex allergy who seek care for unrelated medical conditions or injuries must be kept within a latex-safe environment to prevent serious complications. This includes all patients with spina bifida.

Patients presenting with frank symptoms of type I latex allergy are treated as any other patients with systemic allergic reactions, except they must be protected from further latex contact to avoid clinical deterioration. Many EDs represent very high-risk environments for latex-sensitive patients, particularly if powdered latex gloves are still in use.

  • Latex-free resuscitation equipment must be available. This frequently is accomplished with a mobile, latex-free cart carrying nonlatex intubation and ventilation equipment, IV tubing, syringes, tourniquets, electrode pads, gloves, masks, and medication vials.
  • Routine care of high-risk patients should use nonlatex supplies. Major reactions in sensitized patients have been precipitated with pelvic and rectal exams using latex gloves, urinary catheterization with latex catheters, IV medication given through latex ports, and inhalation of aerosolized latex glove powder.
  • Consultants must be aware of the need to completely avoid latex exposure to the patient during examinations and procedures.
  • Patients needing studies in other hospital areas, such as radiology, must be transported without risking latex exposure.
  • Identification of latex versus nonlatex medical devices traditionally has required laborious contacts with individual manufacturers. Since 1999, the US Food and Drug Administration has required all manufacturers to apply warning labels to medical devices containing natural rubber latex.[17] This regulation has helped to facilitate safe care of patients who are allergic to latex. In addition, medical device manufacturers have developed many latex-free alternatives for routine care and invasive procedures.
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Consultations

Consultants must be aware of the need to scrupulously avoid exposing the patient to latex during exams and procedures.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Amy J Behrman, MD  Associate Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Director, Division of Occupational Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

Amy J Behrman, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Marilyn Howarth, MD  Director, Occupational and Environmental Consultation Service, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Pennsylvania

Marilyn Howarth, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Mark Louden, MD, FACEP  Assistant Medical Director, Emergency Department, Duke Raleigh Hospital

Mark Louden, MD, FACEP is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine and American College of Emergency Physicians

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Matthew M Rice, MD, JD, FACEP  Senior Vice President, Chief Medical Officer, Northwest Emergency Physicians of TeamHealth; Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine

Matthew M Rice, MD, JD, FACEP is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Association, National Association of EMS Physicians, Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, and Washington State Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

John D Halamka, MD, MS  Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Chief Information Officer, CareGroup Healthcare System and Harvard Medical School; Attending Physician, Division of Emergency Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

John D Halamka, MD, MS is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Informatics Association, Phi Beta Kappa, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Erik D Schraga, MD  Staff Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, Mills-Peninsula Emergency Medical Associates

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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