What is Latex?
Latex is a milky, white sap which drips from the rubber tree when the bark is cut. It is the major ingredient in most rubber products.

Latex Allergy
Exposure to latex allergens in predisposed individuals causes sensitization. The routes of exposure are contact through a disrupted skin barrier and aerosolization that is through latex allergen bound to the starch gel powder.

Latex Allergy Symptoms & Diagnosis
There are two kinds of allergy symptoms - delayed and immediate. The most common symptom of delayed allergy is an itchy, red rash which appears only on the areas which are in contact with latex. The symptoms begin a few hours after contact. The symptoms which occur within minutes of exposure are called immediate reactions. They may involve more parts of the body which did not actually touch the allergen. For example, contact with latex gloves during a dental exam or a surgery may cause hives over the whole body. Other immediate symptoms are hay fever-like symptoms such as nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, itchy nose, etc., coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. In the most severe cases, one can experience reactions involving the lungs and heart leading to life threatening situations called anaphylaxis where one experiences airway swelling, swelling of the throat and a drop in blood pressure.

The diagnosis of latex allergy is made by the history, and skin testing using latex extracts. Blood tests use different assays. There is a general agreement between latex prick skin tests and blood tests.

Latex Allergy Reaction Prevention & Treatment
The best way to prevent an allergic reaction is to reduce your exposure as much as possible. Medications can relieve the symptoms, but may not prevent you from having a reaction. With a delayed reaction consisting of an itchy rash, all you need is a steroid cream or ointment on the skin. For nasal symptoms, antihistamines might be helpful, but if you have symptoms consisting of wheezing or shortness of breath, you need medications that are used to treat asthma, and steroids. The only medication that can help during a life-threatening reaction is epinephrine. In order for this to be effective, epinephrine must be given within minutes after the first sign of the reaction, after which you will still proceed to the emergency room.

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Michigan Allergy, Sinus & Asthma Specialists

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