Latex Allergy Symptoms

What is Latex?

Latex is a natural product that founds in the milky fluid extracted from the rubber tree. The liquid is used to make the rubber products such as;

Except these, it is also used in the making of medical and dental supplies such as blood pressure cuffs, gloves, dental dams, urinary catheters and the material, which is used in the root canal.

What is latex allergy?

It is the allergy that occurs from an over exposure to the natural latex rubber proteins. Many people are facing this problem of latex allergy. The reaction may lead into serious condition that requires medical treatment.

The products such as gloves, balloons and condoms containing thin and stretchy latex rubber are high in protein. These things are more risky to cause the allergic reaction than the products made by hard latex. People use to through such things in the open area after using it. But, some of these things are coated with cornstarch powder that the protein latex particles stick to the cornstarch and spreads into air after taken off.

Who gets latex allergy?

As we know the allergy occurs after the exposure to the latex rubber protein that up to 5 to 10% of healthcare workers suffers to the allergy. People having many operations, with food allergy and with spina bifida are also at the risk of latex allergy. However, everyone can develop latex allergy as it founds in every where.

Symptoms of latex allergy

Latex allergy shows various symptoms from which some are very common found in any other allergies. It can be mild or severe with the symptoms such as,

People, who use to wear gloves get skin problems such as bumps, red and crack skin and raised areas on the skin. Symptoms can be avoided by using non-latex gloves, glove inners and taking some hand care. There may some other symptoms in case of the person who is highly allergic to latex and life-threatening allergic reaction.

Treatment for the latex allergy:

Avoiding exposure to the latex substance is the best way to prevent allergic reactions. However, it is difficult to avoid the thing containing rubber latex because of its common presence in the life. You have to inform your doctor to avoid use of latex gloves when you visit the clinic.

Balloons, condoms and dishwashing gloves are the main source of household latex that causes reaction in latex allergic people. Other items including rubber toys, baby nipples, and erasers, elastic in clothing are some other examples of items having latex energy. You can avoid these products after reading the labels on these products before purchase.

The person with latex allergy who is gone under the surgery must have to take more care and coordinate the procedures with anesthesiologists, surgeons, hospital and various other medical personnel to make sure that there is no any use of latex during surgery.

Allergy shots or immunotherapy is the other way used to prevent the reactions of latex. Another therapy known as omalizumab is used for the treatment of severe asthma. It is injectable anti-allergic antibody. But both of these therapies are yet used as the experimental.