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.
乳膠過敏對會給醫(yī)療保健、員工以及病患帶來嚴重的后果。與乳膠接觸中，個體會產(chǎn)生一系列反應，包括接觸性皮炎和威脅生命的過敏反應。這些反應的過敏源來自天然橡膠中乳膠蛋白。盡管乳膠手套貼手舒適，但對于乳膠過敏人群來說，卻不是一個好的選擇。對于接觸乳膠的人群來說，了解反應的癥狀至關(guān)重要。
What are latex allergies?
什么是乳膠過敏？
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.
接觸乳膠后，立即有反應，是一種過敏征兆。對乳膠的這種反應會觸發(fā)免疫系統(tǒng)，引起打噴嚏，流鼻涕，咳嗽或喘息，喉嚨和眼睛瘙癢等癥狀。如果持續(xù)接觸，隨著接觸時間的加長，可能會從輕微癥狀進展為過敏性反應。
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.
這種反應是由天然乳膠中的乳膠蛋白所引起的。許多手套采用食品級玉米淀粉的設計，粉末會將蛋白質(zhì)轉(zhuǎn)移到皮膚上，還會散播到眼睛和喉嚨里。
Health care workers are at an increased risk for latex sensitivity as latex is the most common glove used in that industry.
在醫(yī)療保健行業(yè)，乳膠被廣泛使用，員工產(chǎn)生乳膠過敏反應的風險較高。
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.
頻繁使用乳膠產(chǎn)品的人員可能會發(fā)展成過敏反應，這種現(xiàn)象在醫(yī)療和乳膠生產(chǎn)廠非常普遍。那些有過10次以上外科手術(shù)的，對食物過敏的，或者有家族過敏史的人群，將會面臨更高的風險。
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.
有些人天生就對乳膠過敏，有些人因重復接觸，而使過敏更加嚴重。根據(jù)美國哮喘和過敏基金會的數(shù)據(jù)，有50%的乳膠過敏者有著另一種過敏史。
What are the symptoms of a reaction?
反應的癥狀是什么？
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.
對膠乳最常見的反應之一是接觸性皮炎，也就是皮膚刺激和干燥。遲發(fā)性接觸性皮炎通常發(fā)生在使用乳膠產(chǎn)品后的12-36小時，皮膚伴有紅斑、鱗屑、瘙癢等癥狀。任何使用乳膠手套的人群都有可能產(chǎn)生這種現(xiàn)象，但并不意味著這是過敏性反應。因為，對乳膠過敏定義比較寬泛，而且有些會隨著接觸時間的加長變得嚴重，很有必要及時問診醫(yī)生以確認是否是過敏。
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.
過敏反應是威脅生命的，因為反應不限于身體局部。許多人可能會呼吸困難，皮膚產(chǎn)生紅疹、瘙癢，吞喉嚨腫脹，胸悶和吞咽苦難的癥狀。這種類型的反應甚至可能使人失去意識。過敏性反應通常發(fā)生在接觸過敏源后的5-30分鐘內(nèi)。只有1%的全球人群遭受過過敏反應，乳膠是一類常見的（過敏）原因。
When reactions aren't latex allergies
反應癥狀不都與乳膠有關(guān)
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.
接觸性皮炎有多種原因，并不是所有都與過敏有關(guān)。例如，醫(yī)療專業(yè)人員經(jīng)常洗手，會導致皮膚干燥。另外，肥皂、水分或洗滌劑也會附著在手套上，有時會引起刺激，特別是沒有佩戴合適的手套尺寸的情況下。值得一提的是，因為不完全干燥的手或者手套粉末與皮膚的摩擦，接觸性皮炎也時有發(fā)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.
遲發(fā)型超敏反應通常是由制作手套的化學物質(zhì)引起，而不是乳膠蛋白。對有些人來說，接觸抗氧化劑、乳化劑、穩(wěn)定劑和硬化劑2天后，會引起嚴重的接觸性皮炎，并且會蔓延至臉部等其他身體部位。患有速發(fā)型超敏反應的人，應該盡量避免接觸乳膠，以防止乳膠過敏。
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.
慢性接觸性皮炎和遲發(fā)型超敏反應通常出現(xiàn)在接觸部位，但若個體反復出現(xiàn)過敏癥狀，應當咨詢醫(yī)生、皮膚科醫(yī)生或者過敏反應醫(yī)師。慢性接觸性皮炎可能是另一種過敏現(xiàn)象的指征。
The global perspective
全球視角
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.
隨著社會的發(fā)展，世界各地的衛(wèi)生系統(tǒng)中，手套的使用越來越普遍。因使用手套頻次增加，主要反應于乳膠手套的使用，過敏幾率也在不斷增加。美國和其他發(fā)達國家已經(jīng)開始使用乳膠的替代物，其他國家也已經(jīng)在效仿。
Viable latex alternatives
乳膠替代品
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.
愛馬斯提供各種乳膠手套和合成材料的手套，以適應各種人群的需要。愛馬斯丁腈手套就是一個完美的乳膠替代品，它擁有許多優(yōu)點，比如良好的耐撕扯性能。
Latex gloves can cause irritation or allergic reactions.
乳膠手套可能引起刺激或過敏反應。
來源:原創(chuàng) 手套品牌領(lǐng)導者 愛馬斯手套
