Persons exposed to increased risks due to the use of latex

Due to the increase of latex products in homes and hospitals, the population most at risk is:

• People who have undergone surgical procedures or interventions.

• Construction workers.

• Health workers, such as doctors, nurses, etc., who use rubber gloves, masks, serums, etc., on a daily basis.

• Housewives or cleaning workers, since there are a large number of daily use and cleaning articles manufactured with latex, such as scrubbing gloves.

• Patients with spina bifida or genitourinary malformations.

• Atopic patients (those allergic to substances frequently found in the environment).

• People with severe allergic reactions without apparent explanation.

• People who have suffered allergic reactions to certain fruits or nuts, such as bananas, kiwis, avocados, etc.

• Anyone who has regular contact with latex products.

For the people described above, exposed to higher risk, it is recommended to take some measures to prevent them from being allergic to latex. In this sense, allergists recommend atopic children to avoid inflating and playing with balloons, to provide medical care to patients with spina bifida with implements that are not composed of latex or to use gloves that are free of powder and contain low amounts of allergens.

Paradoxically, considering the amount of latex in objects and in the environment, the greatest risk is in the hospital sector.

Like other workplaces, hospital facilities are legally obliged to provide a safe working environment and must make the necessary adjustments to ensure the well-being of workers who may be sensitive to latex.