A new systematic review by the NHS Clinical Effectiveness Unit on Latex summarises current evidence. It is intended to assist occupational health professionals, managers and other interested parties in providing advice on occupational health interventions to address the problem of latex allergy from both individual and institutional perspectives.
The key finding of the RCP/NHS Plus working group was that single-use, powdered NRL gloves 'should not be used' but that there was no basis for a complete ban on all types of latex gloves.
Key findings and recommendations
- Powdered latex gloves should not be used in the workplace when powder-free latex gloves are available as an alternative.
- Alternatives to latex gloves may have other associated problems, particularly barrier integrity after use, user satisfaction, barrier effectiveness and other possible allergic reactions.
- Employees who are latex allergic/sensitised should use powder-free low protein latex gloves or latex-free gloves.
- Colleagues of employees with latex-induced asthma or rhinitis should use non-latex gloves, the use of powder-free low protein gloves
- At a national or local level, a policy that encourages switching to powder-free low protein gloves is a proven effective method of reducing the incidence of latex allergy.
- Where powder-free latex gloves are being used, and there remains a significant risk to highly sensitive latex-allergic employees that cannot otherwise be adequately controlled, the use of certain respiratory protective equipment can help in reducing inhalational exposure.
- People who are going to wear powder-free low protein latex gloves should not use hand creams prior to glove use.
- Immunotherapy can be recommended as a treatment option for those with latex allergy, where switching to other glove options to reduce the symptoms is either not feasible or is ineffective.
- Appropriately targeted and sustained educational interventions, using different methods (e.g. leaflets, training, educational feedback analysis) for different occupational groups, induce important positive behavioural changes in latex glove use.
- All but the most severe cases of latex allergy and latex induced asthma can usually be managed without the need for redeployment or redundancy, by careful personal avoidance of latex at work and minor changes in the workplace.
- A switch to powder-free latex gloves or latex-free gloves can be cost effective (in terms of glove costs and compensation).
- Both non-latex and latex gloves should be changed after two to three hours of use because the barrier of either type of glove becomes compromised with extended use.
For a full version of these guidelines please visit the NHS Plus website.
Last reviewed 12 Sep 2008
