Latex allergy

Latex allergies are unique in allergies is that usually it takes having a lot of exposure to latex, and on a regular basis, to develop the allergy. So, to better understand latex allergies, let's take a look at what latex is, what happens in the body when you react to latex, how to diagnose it, treat it and more.

What is latex?

Latex is a natural rubber found in a liquid form in a tropical rubber tree. It is harvested, and the liquid is processed to make many rubber products that we use today at home, work, etc. Things like the latex gloves doctors wear, to balloons we blow up for birthday parties, to the rubber nipples babies drink from are made of latex. It is in many products we use everyday without even realizing it. For example, tape and bandages have latex in them, feminine sanitary napkins, baby diapers, condoms, and many toys are made of latex. The rubber band that comes around the morning paper is made from latex.

So, now you can see that since latex is in many of our everyday products, having a latex allergy can be really obnoxious. This is especially true if you ever wish to visit the dentist of a medical doctor. Many medical and dental supplies contain latex, including gloves, urinary catheters, the stuff used to fill root canals, tourniquets and equipment for resuscitation, and more. There are non-latex substitutes for all of these latex-containing items, but they are not what is used first.

What is latex allergy?

Basically if you are allergic to latex it means that you are actually allergic to the protein in rubber. It can cause an allergic reaction that is mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the person and the degree of allergy. Most people are far more allergic to latex gloves, balloons and condoms then to other latex products. The reason for this is that the stretchy latex, like those mentioned above are higher in protein, and thus create a higher allergic reaction then other rubber items. For example, not too many people are going to be allergic to their car tires.

One of the biggest problems with latex allergies is that latex gloves have cornstarch inside them, and so when someone puts them on, the cornstarch becomes airborne, and is often breathed in. In and of itself this would not be bad, but the latex protein particles stick to the cornstarch and fly into the air when the gloves are taken off, or snapped on. This means that in doctor's offices, and other places where latex gloves are put on and taken off frequently, the air is going to have a lot of latex particles, and thus a lot of allergens. This means that many health care workers and rubber industry workers have the highest risk for latex allergy.

Of course anyone can have a latex allergy, it is just more frequent in the health care industry, especially in health care workers with hay fever. Other people who are high at risk for latex allergies are those who have had lots of surgeries, usually if those operations started in childhood, like a person with a heart problem, or a child with downs syndrome or spinabifida.

Basically, what happens when you have a latex allergy is your body's immune system recognizes the protein in latex as a foreign substance and tries to protect your body from it by eliciting a response. This response is the allergic reaction, or the allergy symptoms you see.

What are the symptoms of latex allergy?

Latex allergy symptoms are similar to those symptoms of any other allergy, and like other allergies can be mild or severe.

Most commonly the symptoms of a latex allergy are as follows:

• Itchy, red, watery eyes
• Sneezing or runny nose
• Coughing
• Rash or hives
• Chest tightness and shortness of breath
• Shock
• Skin reactions, especially where the latex contacts the skin

For people who wear latex gloves regularly, the reaction may simply be sores, rashes, etc. where the latex gloves touch their hands.

One thing that is important to understand about a latex allergy is that even if you have only experienced very mild symptoms of latex allergy, if you are a latex-sensitive person you could have a life-threatening allergic reaction with no previous warning or symptoms. This means it is very important to be careful about your allergy, and help others be aware of it as well. One good option is to wear an alert bracelet so that should you have an accident, etc. those who treat you in an ER, or wherever can be conscious of your allergy and use latex alternatives.

If you think you may have an allergy to latex, or have experienced a reaction, no matter how mild, to latex, it would be wise to see a doctor. However, it is best to go to one with experience in treating latex allergy. If your doctor is not experienced, they can recommend someone that is, or an allergist in your area.

Once you have the right doctor, they will do some tests to see if you do, indeed, have a latex allergy. Generally before a test is ever taken, your doctor will ask for a detailed history from you. This will include whether or not your family has a history of allergies, when you have a reaction, how often it has occurred, and how severe the reaction was. They will use this to determine if they think you have a latex allergy, and then will confirm the diagnosis with a blood test.

Most allergies are diagnosed with a skin test. However, skin testing is usually not used to test for latex allergy, except in some specialized centers. The reason for this is that it can cause severe reactions if it isn't done by an experienced person, and can have complications not worth the risk.

If you are positively diagnosed with a latex allergy, you will need to do things to protect yourself from reactions. There is nothing you can do to treat the allergy itself, or cure yourself from it. What you can do, however, is you can reduce your risk of reaction by avoiding direct contact with latex. The more you are around it, the more severe your reaction can be. So, do things to get latex out of your normal living environment. Your doctor will be aware of your allergy, and take steps to protect your from latex when you go in for visits, but it is a good idea to remind them when you make your appointment, etc. It is best to avoid breathing in the particles as well.

If you work in the health care industry, it is going to be even more difficult to avoid the latex allergen, however, it is worth it to ask those in your office to wear powder-free latex gloves or non-latex gloves. This will make the air less toxic to you, and you won't be coming into direct contact.

Because emergencies do happen, it is critical that you always wear or carry a medical alert bracelet, necklace or keychain that warns emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and doctors that you are allergic to latex.

Even if your allergy is not very severe, you could have a severe reaction, so it is never a bad idea to talk to your doctor about getting a prescription for an epinephrine self-injection pen. This is something you would only use in an emergency when you have a serious reaction, but is important. Your doctor can teach you how to administer it and explain what it does, and that you should visit a hospital immediately if you ever use it. If you know you are seriously allergic, you may even want to carry non-latex gloves with you all the time for use by emergency personnel if you need medical attention.

Even if you are not allergic to latex now, the more you are exposed to it, the higher the chance of allergy, so if you work somewhere that you are exposed to latex on a regular basis, talk to your employer about non-latex options, or at the very least, powder free gloves so that your chance of allergy is lessened.

If you want to learn more about latex allergies talk to your doctor. Depending on the symptoms you have when exposed to latex, they may be able to prescribe you medication, or recommend medication to help with the symptoms, but remember that this is only going to treat symptoms, not alleviate you of the allergy. No matter what, it is always best simply to avoid latex to the extent that you can, and be prepared for the worst so that you do not end up suffering serious consequences of your allergy.