DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2017.v05i02.070

Pages: 655-661

Latex allergy is a common occupational disease among healthcare workers who use latex gloves. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of allergy to latex gloves among dental students and its role on the sensitization to different aero- and tropho-allergens. In this prospective study, a total of 240 students separated as nonexposed, shortly-exposed and longer-exposed during school practice completed a self-administrated questionnaire that comprised of a total of different items and gave information about the participants and their glove use, working habits and glove use, signs and symptoms related to glove use, additional allergic diseases, etc. Challenge and patch tests were performed through latex gloves, skin prick test for latex, aeroallergens and trophoallergens with commercial extracts. Questionnaire items and diagnostic tests revealed that one-fourth of subjects were suspicious for latex gloves hypersensitivity. Contact urticaria, irritant or allergic dermatitis was observed on 10% to 14% of students, while the noncutaneous symptoms were observed on less than 5% of them. In general, students who experienced latex exposure over 2 years during their school practice have shown about a two-fold positive response for statements or diagnostic tests about latex gloves hypersensitivity. Sensitization to aeroallergens and trophoallergens is shown in 38% and 12% of subjects respectively. Because of relationship between allergic reactions to latex gloves and some medical histories, it seems to be necessary for pre-matriculation evaluation and periodic health surveillance of dental students. Latex allergy also seems to be a risk factor for the sensitization to diverse atopenes.