Latex Allergy

Latex allergy is a reaction to certain proteins found in natural rubber latex, a product manufactured from a milky fluid derived from the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) found in Africa and Southeast Asia. If you have a latex allergy, your body mistakes latex for a harmful substance.

Latex allergy may cause allergic reactions ranging from sneezing or a runny nose to anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening condition. Your doctor may determine if you have a latex allergy or if you're at risk of developing a latex allergy.

Understanding latex allergy and becoming familiar with common sources of latex can help you prevent allergic reactions in yourself and reduce the chances that an allergic reaction may occur in someone else.

Allergic reactions caused by latex allergy occur commonly in people allergic to the latex in rubber gloves. Three types of reactions can occur if you have a latex glove allergy:

• Irritant contact dermatitis. This common reaction to protective gloves isn't an actual allergy. It's most likely due to sweating or rubbing under gloves or from soap or detergents left on your hands before wearing gloves. This rash occurs most often in people who wear protective gloves, so it's common among dental and health care workers. Irritant contact dermatitis usually makes your skin appear red, dry and cracked.
• Allergic contact dermatitis. This is a reaction to the latex or chemical additives used during the manufacturing process. The chemicals added to latex can cause a skin rash to develop 24 to 48 hours after contact. The rash usually starts on the parts of your skin that have come in contact with latex, and then may spread to other areas. Oozing blisters also may occur. A rash caused by allergic contact dermatitis may look like a rash caused by poison ivy.
• Hypersensitivity immune system response. Actual latex allergy occurs when your immune system reacts to proteins found in natural rubber latex. In a latex allergy, exposure to latex may cause immediate reactions, such as itching, redness, swelling, sneezing and wheezing.

Other common signs and symptoms of latex allergy are similar to those of hay fever or asthma:

• Stuffy nose
• Cough
• Hives or rash
• Itchy and watery eyes
• Difficulty breathing

The most serious allergic reaction to latex is an anaphylactic (an-uh-fuh-LAK-tik) response, which can be deadly. Anaphylactic reactions develop immediately after latex exposure in highly sensitive people and cause the airways (bronchi) to constrict, making it difficult to breathe. Blood pressure may drop to life-threatening levels, making you feel dizzy or causing you to lose consciousness. Other serious signs and symptoms include:

• Wheezing
• Confusion
• Slurred speech
• Rapid or weak pulse
• Blueness of your skin, including your lips and nail beds
• Diarrhea
• Nausea and vomiting

Seek emergency medical care if you think you or someone else is having an anaphylactic reaction.

In a latex allergy, your immune system identifies latex as a harmful substance. Your immune system triggers certain cells to produce immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to fight the latex component (the allergen). The next time you come in contact with latex, the IgE antibodies sense it and signal your immune system to release histamine and other chemicals into your bloodstream.

These chemicals cause a range of allergic signs and symptoms. Histamine is partly responsible for most allergic responses, including runny nose, itchy eyes, dry throat, rashes and hives, nausea, diarrhea, labored breathing and even anaphylactic shock.

Latex sensitivity can occur in these ways:

• Direct contact. The most common cause of latex allergy is direct contact with latex, such as by wearing latex gloves or by contact with latex-containing products. Once you've had direct contact with latex, you may become sensitized. Sensitization is the process in which the immune system learns to recognize and attack allergens, causing an allergic reaction.
• Inhalation. You can develop a latex allergy by inhaling latex particles. Latex products, especially gloves, shed large amounts of latex particles, which can become airborne. Cornstarch is sometimes used on the inside of gloves to make them easier to put on and take off. The cornstarch absorbs latex proteins, but when the gloves are snapped during application or removal, the latex-laden particles fly into the air. The amount of airborne latex from gloves differs greatly depending on the brand of glove used.

Types of latex
Manufacturers produce two types of products from natural latex sources:

• Hardened rubber. This type of latex is found in products such as athletic shoes, tires and rubber balls. Hardened rubber doesn't cause allergies in most people.
• Dipped latex. Latex of this kind is found in some products that are "stretchy," such as rubber gloves, balloons, rubber bands and condoms. Most allergic reactions to latex occur with products made of dipped latex because they're often used directly against the skin.

Not all latex products are made from natural sources. Products containing man-made (synthetic) latex, such as latex paint, are unlikely to cause a reaction because they aren't used against the skin and don't contain the natural substance.

Latex-containing products
Thousands of consumer products contain latex or rubber, and many are found around the home. Common latex products include:

• Dishwashing gloves
• Carpeting
• Waistbands
• Balloons
• Rubber toys
• Hot water bottles
• Baby bottle nipples
• Disposable diapers
• Sanitary pads
• Rubber bands
• Erasers
• Condoms
• Diaphragms
• Swim goggles
• Racket handles
• Motorcycle and bicycle handgrips

Latex products are also found in medical and dental settings. Latex is one of the most effective barriers available to prevent the spread of HIV and hepatitis B. As a result, there's been a marked increase in the use of latex gloves. However, because of the problem of latex allergy, many health care facilities use nonlatex gloves. Other medical products that may contain latex or rubber include:

• Blood pressure cuffs
• Stethoscopes
• Intravenous tubing
• Syringes
• Respirators
• Electrode pads
• Surgical masks

Although medications are available to reduce the symptoms of latex allergy, no cure for latex allergy exists. Treatment is based on prevention. The only way to prevent an allergic reaction is to avoid products that contain latex.

However, despite your best efforts, you may come into contact with latex that causes a severe reaction. In this case, you may need an emergency injection of adrenaline (epinephrine) and a trip to the emergency room. In fact, if you have a severe allergy, you may need to carry injectable epinephrine with you at all times.

For less severe allergies, your doctor may prescribe antihistamines, which you can take after exposure to an allergen to control your reaction and help relieve discomfort. Creams may relieve skin reactions brought on by a latex allergy.