一次性手套--乳胶过敏

乳胶过敏会对医疗保健、工业从业人员以及病人（造成）严重的后果。从接触乳胶开始，（过敏者）会经历一系列的（过敏）反应。包括皮炎和过敏反应，这些都是致命的（危害）。这些反应源于天然乳胶中的乳胶蛋白。尽管乳胶手套能提供最好的舒适度及穿戴感，但它们并不是乳胶过敏者的正确之选。对接触乳胶的人来说，了解反应的症状是至关重要的。

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.

 

那么什么是乳胶过敏呢？

接触乳胶后立即出现过敏反应是过敏的症状。这种类型的乳胶反应是针对免疫系统的，会引起打喷嚏、流鼻涕、咳嗽、哮喘、喉咙发痒或眼睛发痒。反复接触（后），随着时间的推移，会使过敏者的过敏情况加重。

What are latex allergies?
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.

 

而这种反应源于天然橡胶中的乳胶蛋白。许多乳胶手套是有粉手套，（这些粉末是食品级玉米淀粉）,而食品级玉米淀粉中的蛋白会转移到皮肤上。粉末同样也会将蛋白传播到眼睛里、喉咙里。

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.

 

 

 

因为乳胶是卫生保健行业使用最为普遍的手套（材料），（所以）卫生保健工作人员会有更大的乳胶过敏风险。

Health care workers are at an increased risk for latex sensitivity
as latex is the most common glove used in that industry.

经常使用乳胶制品的人可能会出现过敏反应。尤其在医疗保健部门和乳胶工厂是很常见的。有十个或以上（要做的）外科手术的人、食物过敏者及家族遗传过敏者会有更大的风险。

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.

 

一些人天生有乳胶过敏，另一些则（因）长期接触乳胶而过敏。据美国哮喘与过敏基金会（调查显示），50%的乳胶过敏者有其他类型的过敏史。

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.

 

过敏的症状是什么？

最普遍的乳胶过敏（症状）之一是会刺激皮肤、使皮肤干燥的接触性皮炎。在使用乳胶制品后的12到36小时后会出现迟发性皮炎。症状包括红疹、蜕皮及皮肤瘙痒。任何穿戴过乳胶手套的人也许都经历过这样的反应（症状），但这并不意味着他们过敏了。因为乳胶反应（现象）有很多种。随着时间的推移，症状可能会变得越发严重。（所以）向医生检查过敏症确定反应的真正原因是很重要的。

What are the symptoms of a reaction?
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.

 

过敏反应是致命的，因为这一反应不只局限于（发生在）身体的一部分。人们可能会出现呼吸困难、红色皮症、瘙痒、咽喉肿痛、胸闷、吞咽困难的症状。这种反应可能会导致人失去知觉。过敏反应通常发生在接触过敏原的5-30分钟内。虽然全球只有1%的全球人口有过敏反应，但这之中乳胶（过敏）为较为常见的（过敏）。

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.

当不是乳胶过敏反应时

接触性皮炎有多种原因，并不是所有的都与过敏有关。比如，医疗专业人员会经常洗手，导致（手部）干燥（而有皮炎）。此外，手套能使皮肤与肥皂、沐浴露分离且使手部不再湿润，这会导致（皮肤）刺激，尤其是当人们没有穿戴合适尺寸的手套时。另外，有时会发生接触性皮炎是因为手部未完全干燥或手部粉末与手部皮肤的摩擦。

When reactions aren't latex allergies
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. 

 

迟发性过敏通常是由制造手套的化学物质所致而不是乳胶蛋白。有些人在接触抗氧化剂、乳化剂、稳定剂和加强筋的两天后，会患接触性皮炎。在一些情况下，这一反应会传播到类如脸部的其他地方。有立即过敏（症状）的人应该避免接触乳胶，以防止乳胶过敏。

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.

 

慢性接触性皮炎和迟发性过敏反应通常都只限于发生在一个部位。但（只要你）有经常性的过敏就应该去看医生、皮肤病专家及防过敏专家以确诊。慢性接触性皮炎可能是一种不同的过敏症状。

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. 

 

全球视角

随着国家的发展，手套的使用在全世界的健康体系中都变得越发普遍。乳胶是手套的主要（材料）类型，因为（皮肤）反复暴露（于乳胶中），过敏发生就更频繁了。美国和其他发达国家已经开始使用乳胶的替代品了，其他国家也许需要随之效仿。

The global perspective
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 may need to follow suit.

 

乳胶手套会导致刺激及过敏反应。

Latex gloves can cause irritation or allergic reactions.