A latex allergy is caused by the body having a strong immune reaction to the proteins that are found in the natural latex rubber that come from the rubber tree. The immune system can incorrectly recognize these proteins from the rubber tree as a harmful substance like a bacteria or a virus.
Latex allergies can be quite severe and can even be life-threatening. If you have had an allergic reaction to latex in the past, it is important to notify healthcare providers so that they do not wear rubber gloves as they offer treatment to you. Latex can be found in other items like balloons, which means that you need to be aware of which items are not safe for you to be exposed to.
A latex allergy can show up just minutes after coming into contact with an item that is made from or contains latex proteins. Common symptoms of latex allergies are:
Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can happen as a result of coming into contact with latex. This is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment. The symptoms of anaphylaxis are:
Anaphylaxis can happen the very first time that you come into contact with latex. For other people, repeated exposure can lead to an anaphylactic reaction.
A latex allergy is caused by your body incorrectly identifying latex proteins as a threat to the well-being of the body. The immune system mounts an attack which includes histamines and the release of antibodies into the body. This can cause a wide range of allergy symptoms as well as the life-threatening cascade effect of anaphylaxis.
You will be most likely to come into contact with latex through direct contact, such as wearing latex gloves, or being touched by someone wearing latex gloves. Things like condoms and balloons also contain latex. The other way that you can come into contact with latex is by breathing in latex particles that have become airborne. This is most common when coming into contact with latex gloves.
The risk factors for a latex allergy are:
Some fruits also contain the same proteins as the rubber plant. Being allergic to avocado, banana, chestnut, kiwi, or passion fruit can predispose you to have a latex allergy.
Diagnosis of this allergy can be challenging in some cases. If you do not have a severe reaction to latex when you are exposed to it, your symptoms might mimic other kinds of allergies. Your doctor might have to do a skin prick test to see if you are allergic to latex. This is done by making a small injury in the skin and then placing latex proteins in the cut. If your skin reacts to the presence of latex at the injury site, you probably have a latex allergy.
In cases where someone has had an anaphylactic reaction to latex, no further testing needs to be done. This is considered enough evidence to show that someone has a latex allergy.
Prevention of latex allergies is fairly simple outside of the healthcare environment. Those who are allergic to latex will need to avoid contact with rubber gloves and balloons. They will also need to use condoms that are made of other substances. Healthcare professionals will need to be notified about a latex allergy before they treat you, and your medical chart should be noted to indicate that you have this allergy. You might also want to wear a medical alert bracelet that indicates that you have this allergy in case you need treatment but are not able to tell anyone about your allergy.
Treatment of latex allergies involves the use of antihistamines to stop the production of the histamine cells causing itchiness and skin rashes. Corticosteroids can also be used to treat swelling and rash. For those who have anaphylactic reactions to latex, the treatment is very different. This is a medical emergency and requires an immediate dose of epinephrine. Someone who has had an anaphylactic reaction to latex will also be kept in the hospital in most cases for observation. If you have had an anaphylactic reaction to latex in the past, you will be directed to keep an epi-pen on hand in case of emergency.