#8 Contact Dermatitis & Latex Allergies Flashcards
Irritant contact dermatitis ?
1) Common in dentistry
2) Physical irruption of the skin
3) NOT an allergic reaction
4) compromises healthy skin
What are irritant reactions?
-S/S?
- A form of dermatitis caused by contact w/ a substance that physically or chemically damages the skin
- Not an immunologic response
- Dryness, fissuring, redness of hands
What is Irritation Dermatitis characterized by?
- Dryness
- Fissuring
- Redness
What is Irritation Dermatitis aggravated by?
1) Glove powder
2) frequent washing of hands
3) contact w/ disinfectant chemicals
What is the sensitizing dose?
1) Initial immune response to allergen
2) No symptoms manifested from this response
3) latent interval required before sensitivity can be expressed
4) Variable # of exposures from sensitization of individual
(SOME people are easily sensitized w/ single exposure)
What is the challenge dose?
1) Exposure to allergen in a sensitized person
2) Results in manifestation of allergic symptoms
3) Challenge occurs w/ much lower allergen concentration
4) severity of symptoms dependent on extent of sensitization
5) Some do not react, or only slightly react, to multiple challenges–leads to diagnosis difficulties
What are the symptoms of Irritation Dermatitis ?
1) Dry
2) Itchy
3) Irritated
4) Cracks and breaks in skin
What is Allergic Contact Dermatitis?
1) Type IV or delayed
2) Can result from exposure to chemicals and rubber
3) usually appears as a RASH several hours or even days AFTER exposure
What are symptoms of Allergic Contact Dermatitis?
1) Rash
2) Usually confined to area of contact but may expand
What is latex hypersensitivity?
1) Latex allergy
2) Potentially life threatening
3) Allergy to proteins in natural rubber latex
4) TYPE I (IMMEDIATE)
What are the symptoms of latex hypersensitivity?
1) Can be serious/severe/ or mild symptoms
2) Can be whole body response
3) onset w/in minutes up to hours
4) Can result in anaphylaxis or death
5) runny nose
6) sneezing
7) itchy eyes/ itchy burning skin
8) scratchy throat
9) hives
10) asthma
11) difficulty breathing
12) wheezing
13) coughing spells
14) cardiovascular
15) GI
HCW Allergies ?
1) Allergies to disinfectants/preservatives > 10%
(glutaraldehyde, phenols, thimerosal)
2) Allergies to methacrylates: > 20% in dentistry
(dental bonding agents)
3) Allergies to NRL proteins: approx 10%
(varies w/ healthcare field)
4) Allergies to thiruams: 7-14%
(latex gloves rubber material, “vulcanizing accelerator)
What are Hypersensitivity Reactions (Allergies) ?
1) Result of normally beneficial immune response acting inappropriately
2) Exaggerated, pathological response to substances, situations, or physical states c/o comparable effect in normal individuals
3) DO NOT occur in all members of the same species
4) Can occur against “just about anything”
For the SKIN what is the clinical manifestation of anaphylaxis?
a) symptoms
b) sign
a) prutitis & facial swelling
b) urticaria & angioedema
For the RESPIRATORY TRACT, what is the clinical manifestation of anaphylaxis?
a) symptoms
b) sign
a) nasal congestion, itching, sneezing, dyspnea, and cough
b) rhinitis, laryngeal stridor, wheezing
