What is a latex allergy?
The protein that is found in rubber is something that can cause an allergic reaction in some people. And something interesting to note is that the thin stretchy latex rubber that comes in gloves, condoms and balloons to name a few things actually carry the highest amount of this protein, which makes these items more dangerous to people with a latex allergy than other rubber items. But something else that you need to keep in mind if you have a latex allergy is that because of the fact that some latex gloves are coated with cornstarch powder. And because these gloves are coated with cornstarch powder what can happen is that the latex particles can stick to the cornstarch powder and can fly into the air when the gloves are being taken off, which means that you can actually inhale the latex. This is bad for people who have a latex allergy because they might be breathing in this particles without realizing it and by breathing in these latex particles you can suffer from an allergic reaction, just like putting on latex gloves or something similar.

Helpful Resources: 1. Latex Allergy This article gives the reader a ton of information about latex in general, including the symptoms to look for if you are allergic to latex and other important information in regards to the latex allergy. 2. Latex Allergy familydoctor.org This website is more along the lines of a frequently asked question website. But it provides you with all of the answers that you need to have when it comes to latex allergies and it even puts those answers into a very basic form. 3. The American Latex Allergy Association This website is designed to help all of the people who have a latex allergy and even people who just want to find out more about this allergy. The website provides you with numerous resources that can be considered useful, including alternative products that you can use if you have a latex allergy. 4. NIOSH/latex alert This information is put out by the CDC and it contains valuable information about latex allergies in the workplace. The website also provides you with a printable pamphlet that you can use around your workplace. 5. Latex Allergy - Allergies: Allergy Symptoms, Treatment This medical website provides you with resources that you can use to learn more about the latex allergy. The article also goes into diagnosing the allergy and gives an idea on why the allergy might have increased in popularity. 6. Latex Allergy: Causes This article talks about the direct causes of a latex allergy and how your body can and might react to this type of allergy. The article also talks about the various ways that latex sensitivity can occur. 7. Learning about Allergies to Latex In addition to talking about the main causes of the latex allergy this website also discusses how people are exposed to latex, who is at risk of developing the allergy and provides plenty of detail about what happens if you have a latex reaction. 8. AAAAI - Patients & Consumers Center: Tips to Remember: Latex Allergy This article talks about what latex is, how it is found and what it is used in. The article also goes into detail about diagnosing the allergy and the different types of allergic reactions you can find with this allergy. 9. eMedicine - Latex Allergy This article is more like a research paper that was written on the latex allergy. The article discusses the various aspects of the latex allergy, including if it is more prominent in males or females, the death rate, as well as other insightful topics. 10. Capital Health - Your Health This article talks about the signs and symptoms of a latex allergy. But in addition to this information the article also talks about the continued exposure to latex and if that will make the symptoms worse or if they will go away.

What is latex?
Now that you know what a latex allergy is you might be wondering just what latex is exactly. What you might be surprised to learn is that latex is actually a natural substance. Natural rubber latex comes from a liquid in tropical rubber trees. What happens is that the liquid is processes to make the numerous rubber products that we use both at home and at work. Some examples of the products that are made from latex are:

• Balloons


• Rubber toys


• Pacifiers and baby bottle nipples


• Rubber bands


• Adhesive tape and bandages


• Diapers and sanitary pads


• Condoms


• Medical and dental supplies


• Gloves


• Urinary catheters


• Dental dams


• Material used to fill root canals


• Tourniquets


• Resuscitation equipment

How is a latex allergy detected?
One thing that people don't realize is that the latex allergy can actually come in two different forms, which means that detecting the allergy is going to depend on the form of latex allergy that you have.

• Delayed hypersensitivity - this form of the allergy is usually seen as a skin rash at the site where the latex product contacts the skin. But keep in mind that this rash can actually be very severe. The best way to detect this form of the latex allergy is to place the latex preservatives and accelerators on the skin using a standard patch test. But doctors must use caution with this type of testing because an immediate reaction is possible through the patch testing.


• Immediate reaction - this form is also referred to as anaphylaxis. This type of reaction can result in seriously low blood pressure, breathing difficulty, and can even result in death if severe enough. But you might also see some people who experience irritation of the nasal passages, similar to hay fever. To detect this type of reaction you are going to need to take either a blood or skin test. Something you might want to know is that with how severe a reaction you can get from a skin test the blood test is usually performed first.

What are the symptoms of a latex allergy?
If you have a latex allergy or think that you might have one it is important that you learn some of the basic symptoms of the allergy, but like anything else your latex allergy can be mild or severe, not to mention the fact that you can present some, all or none of the symptoms of a latex allergy. But something else that you need to keep in mind is that a person who is latex sensitive can also have a life threatening allergic reaction with no prior warning to the allergy or any exhibition of symptoms. Here are some of the common symptoms of a latex allergy:

• Itchy, red, watery eyes


• Sneezing or runny nose


• Coughing


• Rash or hives


• Chest tightness and shortness of breath


• Shock


• Bumps, sores, cracks or red raised areas on hands


• Usually appears 12 to 36 hours after contact with latex

Who is at risk of a latex allergy?
Like other types of allergies there are some people who are born with a genetic predisposition to be allergic to latex, although the number of people who are born with this allergy is actually quite low. In fact according to numerous studies in order to become allergic to latex you are going to need to be repeatedly exposed to latex in order to develop the allergy. What this amounts to is that the more you are exposed to latex, especially products that are "dipped" the higher your chances of developing an allergy to latex.

This actually means that the people who are at the highest risk for developing a latex allergy are health care workers because of how often they wear rubber gloves, not to mention the fact that they are constantly in contact with other latex products. But other people who are at a high risk of becoming allergic to latex are people who require frequent surgery or catheter use, and people who work in the manufacturing and/or distribution of latex products. Something to keep in mind is that people who have surgeries of the spine or urinary tract actually have a much higher risk of developing the latex allergy than others. Something interesting that has been discovered when it comes to people being allergic to latex is that there is an association of unique food allergies among people who are allergic to latex. Usually people who are allergic to latex are also usually allergic to bananas. But in some quite a few cases people are also allergic to kiwi, papaya, avocados and apricots. And while the association with the food allergy is real it is still uncertain about the relationship between the two allergies.

How is the latex allergy treated?
Basically if you know you are allergic to latex than you should do everything that you can to avoid any and all latex products. You even want to avoid products that are labeled "safe latex" because they can still cause allergic reactions. If you are allergic to latex the sad news is that there is no current treatment available that will desensitize you to latex. The only known treatments are treatments of the reactions; these options can include antihistamines, adrenaline, and steroids.

Here is an example of a screening questionnaire that can be used to determine latex sensitivity.

Allergies

• Do you have a history of hay fever, asthma, eczema, allergies, or rashes?


• Are you allergic to any foods, especially bananas, avocados, kiwi, or chestnuts?


• Do you experience rash, oral itching, swelling, or wheezing when exposed to these foods?

Occupation

• Are you exposed to any products that contain latex, including gloves, at work?


• Have you ever had an allergic reaction to something in your work environment?


• If you have had a rash on your hands after wearing latex gloves, how long after putting on the gloves did the rash develop?

What did the rash look like?
Hidden reactions to latex

• Have you ever had swelling, itching, hives, shortness of breath, cough or other allergic symptoms during or after blowing up a balloon, undergoing a dental procedure, using condoms or diaphragm, or following a vaginal or rectal examination?


• Have you ever had an allergic reaction of unknown cause, especially during a medical or dental procedure?

Surgical history

• Have you ever had surgery?

If so, what kind?

• Do you have spina bifida or any urinary tract problem requiring surgery or catheterizations?