Latex Allergy

Question 1

By what immunoglobulin are latex allergies

mediated?

Answer 1

Although some cases of contact dermatitis may be a type IV
sensitivity reaction, serious reactions to latex are IgE-mediated
reactions to polypeptides contained in latex.
Butterworth JF, Mackey DC, Wasnick JD. Morgan & Mikhail’s
Clinical Anesthesiology. 5th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill;
2013: 1121-1122.

Question 2

What protocols should be followed for patients with a

history of latex allergy?

Answer 2

Patients with a history of latex allergy warrant a completely latexfree
operative environment and should be scheduled as the first
case of the day to reduce the risk of latex allergens in the air.
Some practitioners advocate the removal of latex stoppers from
drug vials to prevent inadvertant injection of latex.
Nagelhout JJ, Plaus KL. Nurse Anesthesia. 5th ed. St. Louis,
MO: Elsevier Saunders Company; 2014: 343.

Question 3

What factors are associated with an increased risk

for developing latex allergy?

Answer 3

Spina bifida, spinal cord injury, and congenital abnormalities of
the genitourinary tract are associated with an increased risk for
developing latex allergy. Persons with chronic exposure to
latex (healthcare workers and patients who undergo frequent
urinary catheterization) are also at increased risk.
Butterworth JF, Mackey DC, Wasnick JD. Morgan & Mikhail’s
Clinical Anesthesiology. 5th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill;
2013: 1121-1122.

Question 4

What food allergies are associated with an increased

risk for having an allergic reaction to latex?

Answer 4

Allergies to tropical fruits such as bananas, mangos, peaches,
avocados, kiwi, passion fruit, celery, buckwheat, papaya, and
chestnuts are associated with an increased incidence of
concomitant latex allergy.
Nagelhout JJ, Plaus KL. Nurse Anesthesia. 5th ed. St. Louis,
MO: Elsevier Saunders Company; 2014: 343.

Question 5

How long after exposure to latex will an allergic

reaction typically develop in sensitized individuals?

Answer 5

A key difference between latex allergies and sensitivity to other
allergens is that the onset of symptoms from latex allergy do not
begin until about 30 minutes after exposure compared to the 5-
10 minutes for other allergies.
Hines RL, Marschall KE. Anesthesia & Co-Existing Diseases.
6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier-Saunders; 2012: 527.