Latex allergy is a reaction to certain proteins found in natural rubber latex, which is produced from a liquid that resembles milk, and it is found in natural rubber. If you have latex allergy, your body confuses the latex for toxins.
Allergy to latex can cause allergic reactions ranging from sneezing or runny nose to anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening condition. Your doctor can determine if you have an allergy to latex or if you are at risk of developing an allergy to latex.
By understanding allergies to latex and getting to know the common sources of latex can greatly help you prevent allergic reactions.
Symptoms
If you are allergic to latex, you will probably react after contact with latex gloves or inhalation of airborne latex particles after removing gloves. Signs and symptoms can vary from mild to severe, depending on your level of sensitivity and the amount of allergens to which you are exposed. Your reaction can worsen with repeated exposure to latex.
Mild symptoms
Mild symptoms of latex allergy include:
- Itching
- Redness of the skin
- Rash
Severe symptoms
Severe symptoms of latex allergy include:
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Itchy, watery eyes
- Sore throat
- Wheezing
- Heavy breathing
- Cough
Symptoms of anaphylactic shock
The most serious allergic reaction to latex is an anaphylactic reaction, and it can be deadly. But this is rarely the first reaction to exposure to latex. Anaphylactic reactions develop immediately after exposure to latex in very sensitive people. Signs and symptoms include:
- Difficult breathing
- Wheezing
- Decrease in blood pressure
- Dizziness
- Loss of consciousness
- Confusion
- Slurred speech
- Rapid or weak pulse
- Blue skin, including lips and nails
- Diarrhea
- Nausea and vomiting
When to Visit the Doctor
Seek immediate medical attention if you think you have anaphylactic reaction.
If you have less severe reactions after exposure to latex, talk to your doctor. If possible, go to the doctor when you experience a reaction, because you will help him establish the diagnosis. Also, be sure to talk to their physician if you are in a high risk group, such as a series of surgeries.
Latex Allergy Causes
With latex allergy, the immune system identifies latex as a harmful substance. Your immune system triggers certain cells to produce immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to fight the latex components (allergen). Next time you come in contact with latex, IgE antibodies detect its presence and signal your immune system to release histamine and other chemical compounds into your bloodstream. The more you are exposed, the more chance you have that your immune system reacts to latex (hypersensitivity). These chemical compounds cause a range of allergic symptoms. Histamine is partly responsible for most allergic reactions.
Sensitivity to latex can occur in the following ways:
- Direct contact. The most common cause of allergy to latex is direct contact with the latex, such as wearing latex gloves or touching products containing latex.
- Inhalation. You can develop an allergy to latex by inhaling latex particles. Latex products, especially gloves, scatter latex particles , which can then be taken by air. Corn starch is sometimes used inside the gloves to make them easier to put and remove from hand. Corn starch absorbs latex proteins, but when the gloves crack during wear or removal, the latex-laden particles fly in the air. The amount of latex released in air varies considerably depending on the manufacturer of gloves that you use.
Real allergic to latex, known as hypersensitivity of the immune system, occurs when your immune system reacts to proteins found in natural rubber latex. Signs and symptoms develop immediately after contact.
However, it is also possible to have different reactions to latex, which is not always an allergy to
latex. These include:
- Allergic contact dermatitis. It is a reaction to the chemical additives used during the manufacturing process. Signs and symptoms: usually a rash similar to the one received from poison ivy, including blisters, starts to develop 24 to 48 hours after contact.
- Irritant contact dermatitis. This is not an allergy, this form of dermatitis is probably an irritation caused by wearing rubber gloves or exposure to dust inside them. Signs and symptoms include dry, irritating itchy areas that usually develop on hands.