What is Latex Allergy?
Latex allergy is the body's reaction to one or more of the proteins found in natural rubber latex. Symptoms can be mild (itchy, red, watery eyes, sneezing or runny nose, rash or hives) but, in rare cases, can also be very severe (shortness of breath or shock).
How does a Latex allergy develop?
Your chance of developing a latex allergy may increase with continued exposure to latex products. Over time, your body's immune system can learn to recognize the proteins found in latex and may eventually begin to react to them. Exposure occurs most frequently by skin contact, but reactions can also occur when certain glove powders carrying the protein are inhaled.
Who is allergic to latex?
You may be at high risk for developing a latex allergy if you:
· Have had numerous surgeries, especially in childhood
· Have a spinal cord or bladder birth defect or regularly
use urinary catheters for self-catheterization
· Have occupational exposure to natural rubber latex products
such as gloves because of your job (healthcare workers, housekeepers,
hairdressers, rubber industry workers, etc.)
· Have a personal or family history of other allergies,
especially to a specific group of foods known to cross-react with
natural rubber latex, including avocados, bananas, raw potatoes,
tomatoes, celery, melon, papaya, kiwi fruit and chestnuts.
Products containing latex:
Balloons Shoe soles Elastic in diapers, clothes
Pacifiers Garden hoses "Koosh" & rubber balls
Art supplies Beach Toys Baby bottle nipples
Golf Grips Erasers Carpet backing
Condoms Catheters Foam pillows
Diaphragms Tourniquets Surgical & exam gloves
Adhesive Tape BP cuffs Elastic & ace bandages
There are alternative, non-latex products for most of these items.
Usually, these alternatives are made of plastic, vinyl, or silicone.
Reactions to Latex Products
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(non-allergic) |
Repeated washing, insufficient rinsing, antiseptic agents, glove powders | Dermatitis, including redness, dry or cracked skin, itchiness, or hard, red bumps |
|
|
|
Repeated exposure to processing chemicals used in latex manufacturing | Skin inflammation, puffiness, redness and itchiness usually occurring several hours after exposure and sometimes persisting for several days |
|
|
|
Repeated exposure to naturally occurring water-soluble proteins in latex products | Inflamed itchy redness occurring within minutes of exposure and fading away quickly when contact ends. Watery eyes, runny nose and asthma-like symptoms. More severe reactions may include skin rashes, facial swelling, breathlessness, and in rare cases, anaphylactic shock |
What can you do about a latex allergy?
If you believe that you are allergic to latex, contact your
physician
or an allergist for diagnosis and treatment of your symptoms.
If you are diagnosed with a natural rubber latex allergy, you should:
· Wear a medic alert tag bracelet or necklace
· Obtain a list of common products that contain natural
rubber latex. Make substitutions when available
· Learn about food cross-reactivity to reduce your risk
or allergic reactions
· Talk to your physician about carrying an Epi-Pen so that
you can self-administer an emergency injection of epinephrine
· Make sure that co-workers, family and friends know how
to help you in the event of an allergic reaction
· Inform key professionals of your allergy, including your
physician, dentist, gynecologist, hairstylist, etc.