What Is A Latex Allergy?

A latex allergy is when a person has side effects from coming in to direct or indirect contact with rubber or latex containing products. There are 3 types of reactions:

Irritant dermatitis?

This is not allergic. It is irritation resulting from washing with harsh soaps or sweating under gloves and results in rough, dry and scaly rashes. Even though irritant dermatitis is not an allergy, absorption of latex through damaged skin increases the risk of later developing allergy with continued exposure.

Contact allergic dermatitis?

This is a reaction to the chemicals added to rubber during manufacture, not due to an allergy to latex proteins. Rough and scaly and sometimes weeping rashes can develop within a few days of contact. As with irritant dermatitis, absorption of latex through damaged skin increases the risk of later developing allergy with continued exposure.

Immediate allergic reactions to latex?

Contact with latex releases the irritant chemical "histamine" into the tissues. Reactions can occur within minutes and include hives or swollen lips or face at the site of contact. Hay fever-like symptoms may occur, typically in hospital settings where frequent changing of gloves can result in suspension of fine latex particles in the air. More serious reactions can occur. In very sensitive patients, rapid absorption of latex through moist surfaces like as the mouth, nose, throat, vagina, rectum ("back passage") can result in difficulty breathing, a drop in blood pressure or even shock and anaphylaxis. 

What are the symptoms of latex allergy?

Latex allergy often begins with a rash on the hands when using natural rubber latex gloves.  Other allergic symptoms include hay fever type reactions such as itchy swollen eyes, runny nose, and sneezing.  Some patients may develop asthma symptoms such as chest tightness, wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath.

Can my latex allergy get worse?

There is evidence that the more you are exposed to latex, the more allergic you may become.  If you have only a minor latex allergy, you should minimize your exposure to latex so that you do not risk becoming more sensitive.

If you suffer from hay fever symptoms when exposed to latex, continued exposure to latex can cause you to develop asthma.

Can a latex allergy be life threatening?

While it is uncommon, some latex allergic individuals can suffer a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction when they come in contact with natural rubber latex.

This serious reaction is called anaphylactic shock.  It occurs within minutes of exposure, and is characterized by generalized hives, breathing difficulties and low blood pressure.  Anaphylactic shock may be fatal and must be promptly treated by adrenalin injection.

Anaphylactic shock is most likely to occur during direct tissue contact with natural rubber latex products.  Direct contact occurs when the skin barrier, which protects you, has been broken, or the contact is across a mucous membrane.  Mucous membrane contact can occur in the mouth (e.g. blowing up a balloon, dental surgery, anesthetic administration), vagina (condom use, vaginal examination), rectum and colon (examination or enema administration), or urethra (catheterization).  Direct tissue contact occurs during surgery because surgeons normally wear natural rubber latex gloves when operating on a patient.

Can latex allergy be treated?

No treatments are yet available to cure natural rubber latex allergy.  So far the best "treatment" is to avoid exposure to latex.  Medications are available to temporarily alleviate symptoms.

Who is at risk?

Most people who are allergic to latex have had frequent exposure to latex in the past. The vast majority are nurses, doctors, dentists, or patients who have had a number of operations, such as those with spina bifida. Many are also allergic to other substances such as grass pollens or dust mite proteins. In other words, they usually already have other allergic disease such as asthma, Hay fever or eczema. 

Food allergy and latex

Proteins in latex are present in some foods as well. Latex-allergic people sometimes find that some foods cause an itchy mouth or throat swelling. The most common foods described are banana and avocado and sometimes kiwi fruit, passion fruit, plums, strawberry, tomato or other fruits. These foods do not have to be avoided routinely ­ just if they cause problems.

Management of Latex Allergy

• Avoid latex. Latex allergy cannot be "turned off". The only treatment is careful avoidance. The more that you are exposed to latex, the more allergic you may become. It is therefore important to avoid latex as much as possible, even if your own latex allergy is relatively mild.
• Wear a Medic Alert bracelet. If you are unconscious or confused and need emergency treatment, then the nurses and doctors will be aware of this and again will make alternative arrangements for your treatment.

The Solution: Synthetic rubber

Synthetic rubber can be made these days from petrochemicals. It is used in many commercial products such as latex paints and even the seals used in many asthma puffers! These products do not contain allergenic natural latex proteins and do not cause allergic reactions.