Latex allergies have serious consequences for health care and industrial workers as well as patients. Individuals experience a range of reactions from coming into contact with latex, including contact dermatitis and anaphylaxis, which is life-threatening. These reactions stem from the natural rubber latex proteins. Although latex gloves provide the best fit and feel, they are not the right choice for those with latex sensitivities. It's crucial for people who come into contact with latex to understand the symptoms of a reaction.

乳胶过敏对会给医疗保健、员工以及病患带来严重的后果。与乳胶接触中，个体会产生一系列反应，包括接触性皮炎和威胁生命的过敏反应。这些反应的过敏源来自天然橡胶中乳胶蛋白。尽管乳胶手套贴手舒适，但对于乳胶过敏人群来说，却不是一个好的选择。对于接触乳胶的人群来说，了解反应的症状至关重要。

What are latex allergies?

什么是乳胶过敏？

An immediate reaction after contact with latex is an indication of an allergy. This type of response to latex triggers the immune system, causing sneezing, a runny nose, coughing or wheezing and an itchy throat or eyes. Repeated exposure may cause people with only minor reactions to progress to anaphylaxis over time.

接触乳胶后，立即有反应，是一种过敏征兆。对乳胶的这种反应会触发免疫系统，引起打喷嚏，流鼻涕，咳嗽或喘息，喉咙和眼睛瘙痒等症状。如果持续接触，随着接触时间的加长，可能会从轻微症状进展为过敏性反应。

This reaction is triggered by latex proteins, which come from natural rubber. Many latex gloves are powdered, and the food-grade cornstarch powder transfers the proteins to the skin. The powder also spreads proteins to the eyes and throat.

这种反应是由天然乳胶中的乳胶蛋白所引起的。许多手套采用食品级玉米淀粉的设计，粉末会将蛋白质转移到皮肤上，还会散播到眼睛和喉咙里。

Health care workers are at an increased risk for latex sensitivity as latex is the most common glove used in that industry.

在医疗保健行业，乳胶被广泛使用，员工产生乳胶过敏反应的风险较高。

Employees who work with latex products frequently may develop allergic reactions. This is especially common in the health care sector and rubber factories. People who have had 10 or more surgeries, food allergies or a family history of allergies are at a heightened risk.

频繁使用乳胶产品的人员可能会发展成过敏反应，这种现象在医疗和乳胶生产厂非常普遍。那些有过10次以上外科手术的，对食物过敏的，或者有家族过敏史的人群，将会面临更高的风险。

While some people are born with latex allergies, many individuals have sensitivities that become more severe with repeated exposure. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, 50 percent of people with latex allergy have a history of another type of allergy.

有些人天生就对乳胶过敏，有些人因重复接触，而使过敏更加严重。根据美国哮喘和过敏基金会的数据，有50%的乳胶过敏者有着另一种过敏史。

What are the symptoms of a reaction?

反应的症状是什么？

One of the most common reactions to latex is contact dermatitis, which is irritation or dryness of the skin. Delayed contact dermatitis often appears 12 to 36 hours after using a latex product, and the symptoms include red, scaly or itchy skin. Anyone who uses latex gloves may experience this reaction, but it does not mean they are allergic. Because there is a wide range of reactions to latex and they may get more severe over time, it's important to check with a doctor or allergist to determine the true cause of a reaction.

对胶乳最常见的反应之一是接触性皮炎，也就是皮肤刺激和干燥。迟发性接触性皮炎通常发生在使用乳胶产品后的12-36小时，皮肤伴有红斑、鳞屑、瘙痒等症状。任何使用乳胶手套的人群都有可能产生这种现象，但并不意味着这是过敏性反应。因为，对乳胶过敏定义比较宽泛，而且有些会随着接触时间的加长变得严重，很有必要及时问诊医生以确认是否是过敏。

Anaphylaxis is life-threatening because the reaction isn't limited to one part of the body. People may experience difficulty breathing, red rashes, itchiness, swollen throat, chest tightness and trouble swallowing. This type of reaction may even cause someone to lose consciousness. Anaphylaxis typically occurs between 5-30 minutes of coming into contact with an allergen. While only 1 percent of the global population experiences anaphylaxis, latex is a common cause.

过敏反应是威胁生命的，因为反应不限于身体局部。许多人可能会呼吸困难，皮肤产生红疹、瘙痒，吞喉咙肿胀，胸闷和吞咽苦难的症状。这种类型的反应甚至可能使人失去意识。过敏性反应通常发生在接触过敏源后的5-30分钟内。只有1%的全球人群遭受过过敏反应，乳胶是一类常见的（过敏）原因。

When reactions aren't latex allergies

反应症状不都与乳胶有关

Contact dermatitis has multiple causes and not all are related to allergies. For example, medical professionals wash their hands frequently, leading to dryness. In addition, gloves trap soap, moisture or lotion against the skin, which sometimes causes irritation, especially when people don't have the right glove size. Moreover, contact dermatitis sometimes happens because of incomplete hand drying or the friction of the glove powder rubbing against the skin.

接触性皮炎有多种原因，并不是所有都与过敏有关。例如，医疗专业人员经常洗手，会导致皮肤干燥。另外，肥皂、水分或洗涤剂也会附着在手套上，有时会引起刺激，特别是没有佩戴合适的手套尺寸的情况下。值得一提的是，因为不完全干燥的手或者手套粉末与皮肤的摩擦，接触性皮炎也时有发生。

Delayed hypersensitivity is often caused by the chemicals used to manufacture the gloves rather than the latex proteins. Antioxidants, emulsifiers, stabilizers and stiffeners cause severe contact dermatitis within two days after exposure for some people, and the reaction spreads to other areas such as the face in some cases. People with immediate hypersensitivity should avoid all exposure to latex in hopes of preventing a latex allergy.

迟发型超敏反应通常是由制作手套的化学物质引起，而不是乳胶蛋白。对有些人来说，接触抗氧化剂、乳化剂、稳定剂和硬化剂2天后，会引起严重的接触性皮炎，并且会蔓延至脸部等其他身体部位。患有速发型超敏反应的人，应该尽量避免接触乳胶，以防止乳胶过敏。

Chronic contact dermatitis and delayed hypersensitivity are usually limited to the area of contact, but individuals with recurring reactions should see a doctor, dermatologist or allergist to confirm. Chronic contact dermatitis may be indicative of a different allergy.

慢性接触性皮炎和迟发型超敏反应通常出现在接触部位，但若个体反复出现过敏症状，应当咨询医生、皮肤科医生或者过敏反应医师。慢性接触性皮炎可能是另一种过敏现象的指征。

The global perspective

全球视角

As countries develop, glove usage is becoming more common in health systems around the world. The primary type of glove is latex, and allergies are occurring more frequently because of repeated exposure. The U.S. and other developed nations have started to use alternatives to latex, and other countries have followed suit.

随着社会的发展，世界各地的卫生系统中，手套的使用越来越普遍。因使用手套频次增加，主要反应于乳胶手套的使用，过敏几率也在不断增加。美国和其他发达国家已经开始使用乳胶的替代物，其他国家也已经在效仿。

Viable latex alternatives

乳胶替代品

AMMEX Corporation offers a full line of latex and synthetic exam-grade gloves to suit whatever needs you have. AMMEX Nitrile Gloves are an excellent alternative to latex and have many benefits, such as greater tear resistance.

爱马斯提供各种乳胶手套和合成材料的手套，以适应各种人群的需要。爱马斯丁腈手套就是一个完美的乳胶替代品，它拥有许多优点，比如良好的耐撕扯性能。

Latex gloves can cause irritation or allergic reactions.

乳胶手套可能引起刺激或过敏反应。

来源:原创 手套品牌领导者 爱马斯手套