Аннотация:Latex, made from Hevea brasiliensis sap, is the material used to make many medical products, including catheters, balloons and gloves. Hundreds of allergensfrom natural rubber latex have been identified, and 15 of them were numbered, from Hev b1 to Hev b15. Natural proteins in rubber cause both asymptomaticsensitization and type I IgE-mediated hypersensitivity. Treatment of latex makes use of chemical antioxidants that can also bring about type IV hypersensitivityreactions. Latex allergy is one of the most common causes of anaphylaxis in the operating room, and its prevalence has been growing since 1980s, together withthe popularity of latex gloves. It is a well-known problem among medical professionals, with gloves and inhaled aerosol particles being the sources thereof. Thisstudy aimed to review the current scientific research and practical data in this only partially investigated area. In addition, increasing the awareness of doctors andpatients minimizes the existing risks of latex allergy.
