Latex allergy also called latex hypersensitivity is a range of allergic reactions to the natural
rubber latex. Occurs to people with significant exposure to latex such as those in rubber industry, nursing homes and those who have undergone repeated surgeries in early life, especially those with urogenital abnormalities, myelomeningocele.
Latex allergy occurrence has also increased with the use of rubber gloves.
Symptoms:
Latex causes the type1 and type4 hypersensitivity. The type1 is the rare but serious form and is an immediate reaction it onsets within minutes .Symptoms include dizzy feeling, nausea, vomiting abdominal cramps, anaphylactic shock. The type4 involves a delayed skin rash along with blistering and oozing of the skin.
Latex allergy is also known as allergic contact dermatitis and is caused by chemicals used in the processing of rubber products. Its symptoms include vesicles, blisters, crusting, erythema.
Irritant contact dermatitis:
It is the most common type of reaction. Symptoms include dry, itchy eyes, redness, and irritated areas on the skin especially on the hands. Even aerosolized
latex allergy particles can cause major allergic symptoms in sensitized persons. Some people who have latex allergy can even become allergic to number of plant products including fruits like banana, kiwi, passion fruit, and mango. Some people are also affected by foods which were manufactured using
latex gloves.
Treatment and tests:
The usual test is the skin prick test but blood testing such as RAST identifies the Ig E proteins that trigger
allergic reaction. One can go for prevention and epinephrine in case of emergency.
