Natural latex allergy: prevention

At risk groups: The incidence of latex hypersensitivity of latex hypersensi tivity has increased over the last decade. The main at-risk groups for deve loping latex allergy are: health care workers and employees working in late x industries, patients with atopic diathesis and subjects with repeated sur gical procedures during childhood. Sensitization: The use of cornstarch powder gloves can sensitize healthy su bjects and exacerbate symptoms of allergic patients as the powder spreads t he latex allergens into the environment. Practical attitude: We propose here some practical recommendations for prev ention, both for the general population and for allergic subjects.