Research Article
Assya Krasteva, Iliana Stoeva,
Abstract
Objectives: Nowadays latex allergy represents a relevant social and occupational problem because this substance constitutes the first material to realize many dental and non-dental products. Dental students regularly use latex gloves and they are at increased risk for latex sensitivity, during their education. Aim: This study aimed to assess latex allergy in dental students. Methods: 146 dental students, 70 males and 76 females (age range 22-36) were included in the study. A cross-sectional study was performing by using a questionnaire, allergy skin prick testing to latex and specific IgE. Results: We detected that 26.7% of tested individuals used gloves more than 2 years. 62.3% of students underwent gloves 5 days in a week and 75.3 % used gloves till 4 hours daily. 5.1% of dental students announced history of atopy and 9.6 % of dental students reports food allergy. 28.4% reports contact eczema when using latex gloves. 1.4% of persons use latex free gloves. 49 of the students underwent a skin prick test. In this study we detected 10.2% positive reactions to latex allergen of all tested individuals. We found specific IgE to latex in two positive patients. Conclusion: Dental students are at high risk for latex sensitization. We observed more positive skin prick test reaction in students who reported personal history of atopy.