Latex Glove Allergy

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of latex glove allergy in a population of health care providers (dentists) with a high occupational exposure to latex gloves. DESIGN: A survey instrument was distributed to all active-duty dental officers in the US Army (n = 1628). The survey was designed to identify those individuals who had symptoms of allergy to latex gloves. SETTING: US Army dental facilities worldwide. RESULTS: The response rate to the survey was 64% (n = 1043). There were 143 (13.7%) responses indicating latex glove allergy. If nonrespondents were assumed to be allergy-free, the prevalence rate would be 8.8%. CONCLUSION: Latex allergy, as ascertained by self-report in this survey, appears to have a substantial prevalence in this health care provider population.