The potential risks of latex.

Natural Latex is the milky sap from the Rubber Tree (Hevea brasiliensis) plant. Reports of patients developing sensitivities to latex following contact with items containing this product have risen considerably since 1979 when they were first described by Nutter. These allergies should not be taken lightly. At one end of the scale they can be mildly uncomfortable, at the other they can be life threatening. The problem of acquired latex allergy confronts not only health care workers in the daily delivery of healthcare but also individuals in the home and everyday life as the use of latex in products has greatly increased in recent years.