Журнал сестринского дела и ухода

Management of Occupational Exposure to Latex: A Nurse with Latex Allergy, Health Problems, Workplace Change

Abstract

Yasemin Yurt* and Meral Turk

A 30 year old male patient has been a nurse intensive care for 6 years. The patient has had rashes, dryness and itching in the workplace for the last 5 years. There was nasal obstruction, increased breathing at work. Dry and ulcerative lesions were observed on the external surface of both hands. Total IgE was high. Latex specific IgE was positive. Skin prick test was positive and patch test was positive. The nurse's respiratory function test was assessed normally. The bronchial provocation test was evaluated as positive at 1 mg/mL. Current findings suggest that latex sensitivity and related rhinitis, asthma, urticarial are considered. The medical treatment of the patient was arranged. The workplace change of the kisin was made. He concluded that there is a marked reduction in complaints of shortness of breath, urticaria and rhinitis, which are the result of workplace change.

Latex exposure can be through skin contact and respiration. For exposure precautions, latex-free gloves should be used in persons with contact dermatitis. Latex should not be present in the air where the latex aeroallergens hang in the air to treat symptoms such as allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis and asthma. For this reason, workplace change must be applied to this person.

In our present situation, workplace changes have been made and a marked improvement in the symptoms of job change outcome has been observed.