More than 30 million Americans, or eight percent of the population, have developed sensitivities to tropical rubber latex. Children with spina bifida or cystic fibrosis and health care workers are just three of the groups who are most affected.
Hevea latex allergy affects an estimated 10 to 17% of health care workers. The latex that was used to protect these workers from killer viruses like AIDS has been identified as the cause of death in at least 16 recorded cases in 1989, according to FDA statistics. As an occupational disease, latex sensitization starts on the job, but its effects follow sufferers everywhere that tropical latex products are found including products such as condoms, medical adhesives, latex wound care products, surgical gloves, and heart catheters.
Latex allergies are also high among children born with spina bifida or who are generally exposed to frequent contacts with latex as a result of their ongoing medical treatments. A child with a latex allergy can come into contact with hevea latex products such as rubber bands in braces, dental dams at the dentist office, latex gloves, even latex balloons at birthday parties can all cause hives, sickness and anaphylactic shock that even treated could cause death.
Yulex® natural rubber is distributed world-wide and is a safer alternative for people who have Type I latex allergy. Since it does not contain the proteins that Hevea latex contains and is not cross-reactive to these allergens, it poses no risk of immediate allergic reaction. It especially benefits healthcare workers, patients and others who are continually exposed to Hevea latex.
Although the consequences of long-term use are not yet known, the protein load or dose to which a person is exposed is only 1% of the level in washed Hevea latex products that are believed to contain too little protein to cause the development of Type I latex allergy.
For hospitals and clinics, it reduces costs and is superior in elasticity, barrier protection, strength and durability than other synthetic alternatives.
