Latex allergy is an allergy to latex, which is found in rubber gloves mostly and other products, such as condoms and some medical devices.
The precise cause of latex allergy is hard to determine but it is thought to be coming into contact with latex as well as rubber products over and over maybe the reason why it happens.
Industry workers that work especially with rubber and people who use condoms are more likely than others to acquire a latex allergy.
Exposure to latex can occur from:
- Contact with the skin
- Mucous membranes
- Inhalation
- Blood
Different types of latex reactions
- Irritant contact dermatitis – this is the least-threatening type of reaction. It occurs due to repetitive exposure to the chemicals inside latex gloves. It triggers symptoms like dryness, itching, burning, scaling, and skin problems to develop.
- Allergic contact dermatitis – this type is a delayed reaction, the results are similar to irritant contact dermatitis, but has a more severe reaction which spreads to more parts of the body, and lasts longer. The symptoms that accompany can start up to 4 days after you’ve come in contact with latex.
- Immediate reaction – the most serious type of reaction, this rare type of reaction can manifest up as a nasal reaction with signs strikingly resembling hay fever accompanied by conjunctivitis, cramps, hives, and severe itching. Additional severe symptoms like a rapid heartbeat, tremors, breathing difficulty, low blood pressure can appear and may lead to anaphylaxis and become life-threatening. In addition, you should call your doctor immediately if you have severe symptoms.
Management of latex allergy
If the symptoms are irritant contact dermatitis, medicines such as antihistamine or corticosteroid can help treat the symptoms. In case the reaction is severe, you may need epinephrine and immediate medical care.
If you have a latex allergy, always carry an auto-injector epinephrine if suggested by the doctor.
FACT CHECK
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latex_allergy
https://www.webmd.com/allergies/latex-allergies#1
https://acaai.org/allergies/types/skin-allergies/latex-allergy