Products made from crepe latex rubber like shoe soles , are unlikely to cause allergic reactions. By contrast to natural latex rubber, synthetic rubber is produced from petrochemicals, and does not contain allergenic latex proteins.
Products containing synthetic rubber like most latex paints , do not cause allergic reactions. Immediate allergic reactions also known as Type 1 or IgE antibody mediated , are the most serious adverse reactions to latex. In people who have developed sensitivity to natural latex proteins, contact with latex releases the histamine into the tissues.
The result is itching and hives urticaria with direct contact, like after wearing rubber gloves, or itchy swollen lips, face or tongue after blowing up balloons.
Some people will develop irritation after wearing a condom, inserting a diaphragm for contraceptive purposes, or after visiting the dentist or hairdresser and coming into contact with latex.
Reactions can also occur when latex is inhaled, resulting in allergic rhinitis hay fever , or asthma like symptoms. This occurs most commonly in hospitals. The latex proteins can leach out of the gloves with sweaty hands and become attached to the powdered lubricant. In environments where gloves are being changed frequently, latex on these fine particles can become suspended in the air like pollen. Anaphylaxis is the most severe allergic reaction to latex and usually occurs in very sensitive patients where latex protein is absorbed rapidly via moist surfaces such as the mouth, nose, throat, vagina, rectum or internally such as during a surgical operation.
Symptoms include severe difficulty in breathing and a drop in blood pressure. Most adverse reactions to latex are irritant dermatitis, which is not an immediate allergic reaction. It results in rough, dry and scaly skin, sometimes with weeping sores. It is made worse by sweating and friction under rubber gloves, but can also occur from frequent hand washing with harsh soaps. Even though irritant dermatitis is not an allergic reaction, absorption of latex through damaged skin increases the risk of developing latex allergy with ongoing exposure.
Recognition and treatment of this condition is therefore recommended to reduce the risk of developing latex allergy. Allergic contact dermatitis is the most common immune system reaction to latex.
The symptoms look similar to irritant dermatitis symptoms, but the cause is different. The rash is rough, dry and scaly, sometimes with weeping sores. It usually occurs hours after contact with latex rubber. Contact allergic dermatitis is usually due to an inflammatory reaction to the chemicals added to rubber during manufacture.
However, it may also result from contact with latex protein. Contact allergic dermatitis is annoying but not dangerous. As with irritant dermatitis, treatment is recommended to reduce the risk of developing more serious immediate allergic reactions to latex.
Some proteins in latex are also present in foods, and some people with latex allergy find that certain foods cause an itchy mouth or throat swelling. The most common foods described are banana, avocado, kiwi fruit, passionfruit, plums, strawberry and tomato.
These foods do not have to be avoided routinely, unless they cause problems. Your doctor will normally ask a series of questions that may help to identify the cause of your problem.
This will often be followed by allergy testing to help confirm or exclude the presence of sensitivity to natural latex proteins or chemical preservatives. The types of tests commonly used are skin tests or blood tests for allergen specific IgE, to confirm or exclude immediate sensitivity and patch tests to confirm or exclude contact allergic dermatitis which has a delayed reaction.
Manufacturers have developed latex products containing less allergen and non-latex alternatives. As more of these products become available, the risk of reactions in latex sensitive people will decrease, and it is likely that fewer people will develop latex allergy. In the meantime, increased awareness of latex allergy and its risk factors should help to reduce the frequency of latex allergy. If you have latex allergy you should avoid direct contact with all products and devices that contain latex.
Also avoid food that causes an allergic reaction. Latex allergy problems during dental, medical or surgical procedures can be prevented by warning health care providers about latex allergy before any test or treatment.
Latex allergic people can receive medical or dental care in a latex-safe area. Hospitals and clinics that use only low protein latex gloves and non-latex gloves have experienced dramatic declines in new cases of latex allergy. Allergists can provide latex-allergic people with information and assistance to help them avoid products which may contain latex.
The American Latex Allergy Association also has additional information. I control my allergies. Latex Allergy Allergic reactions to latex may be serious and can very rarely be fatal. On this page.
Overview Allergists are specially trained to help you take control of your allergies and asthma , so you can live the life you want. People who are at higher risk for developing latex allergy include: Health care workers and others who frequently wear latex gloves People who have had multiple surgeries for example, 10 or more , such as children with spina bifida People who are often exposed to natural rubber latex, including rubber industry workers People with other allergies, such as hay fever allergic rhinitis or allergy to certain foods.
Find expert care with an Allergist. Find an Allergist. What Is Natural Rubber Latex? What products contain natural rubber latex? Triggers and Symptoms What triggers the allergic reaction to latex? Common examples include: A medical or dental procedure conducted by health care workers wearing natural rubber latex gloves Blowing up a rubber balloon What are latex allergy symptoms?
What foods are potential problems for people with latex allergy? Management and Treatment How is latex allergy diagnosed? How is latex allergy treated? If you have severe latex allergy reaction you should: Wear medical alert identification Carry an epinephrine adrenaline auto-injector for emergency treatment Health care workers with a history of latex sensitivity who must wear gloves should stop wearing latex gloves.
How can latex allergy be prevented? Submit site search Need An Allergist? What Does An Allergist Treat? If you think you may be allergic to latex, see a doctor familiar with the condition. To diagnose latex allergy, the doctor will ask you about your medical history and do a physical exam. If they suspect latex allergy, they may order a blood test.
The blood test involves looking for latex antibodies in a blood sample. Your doctor compares your test results with your history and physical exam to make a diagnosis of latex allergy. An IgE-mediated latex allergy is an allergy to natural rubber latex proteins.
These IgE antibodies react with latex proteins and cause allergy symptoms. Allergic reactions to latex can be severe and life threatening.
People with this type of latex allergy should avoid latex. Dermatitis means skin inflammation. Cell-mediated contact dermatitis Type IV is a type of allergy to latex. It is not a life-threatening allergy. This type of reaction is usually due to sensitivity to chemicals used to make latex products, rather than to rubber proteins.
There are many chemicals used in the manufacturing process. Any of these chemicals can cause contact dermatitis 24 to 48 hours after exposure. This type of dermatitis can spread to other areas, including the face, if touched. Symptoms usually resolve spontaneously. Four out of five people who develop an IgE-mediated latex allergy will have contact dermatitis first. Irritant contact dermatitis is a common reaction to natural rubber latex, but it is not an allergy.
Irritant contact dermatitis is a red, itchy rash that breaks out where latex has touched your skin.
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