Latex Allergy

It seems paradoxical that latex, a substance widely used in medical products, is responsible for the medical disorder, latex allergy.

What is Latex?

Latex is obtained from the milky sap of African rubber trees, and is a material widely used in manufactured products, from condoms to rubber gloves, and auto tires.  It also has many uses in the health care industry, for such products as, syringes, dressings, stethoscopes, catheters, medical tubing, and bandages.  Clearly, those who suffer from latex allergy are going to find it difficult to avoid.

Two Kinds of Latex Allergy

There are two types of latex allergy, the first of which is related to rubber gloves.  This is a mild form of allergy, thought to be associated with chemicals involved in manufacturing the gloves.  The symptoms are usually not serious, and may only result in a slight skin rash.

The more serious form of latex allergy concerns the latex itself.  The allergy symptoms that result include hives, hay fever, and asthma, amongst others.  Furthermore, in rare and extreme cases latex allergy has caused anaphylaxis, that can be fatal if emergency treatment is not available.

Increased Use of Latex

Latex allergy has understandably increased, proportional to the use of the substance.  It’s a bit like a double-edged sword, in that medical staff use latex products, to protect themselves from blood and other organisms that may carry infections.  But those who suffer from latex allergy have to be very careful to avoid it.

Airborne Latex

It has been found that latex particles can become airborne, and that people with latex allergy, could be subjected to an allergic reaction from inhalation.  It seems that a substance used to coat latex, to facilitate putting the gloves on and off, absorbs some of the latex particles, which may then be dispersed through becoming airborne.  Those with latex allergy may then breathe in the contaminants to provoke an allergic response.

Avoidance

Firstly you want know whether you definitely have latex allergy, which can be determined from skin or blood tests.  If the tests are positive the best way to avoid latex allergy is to totally avoid latex, in all its forms.  However, it will not be easy because there are so many latex products.  Therefore, you must discuss your condition with your doctor, who may be able to draw from his experience with other patients.  If not he should be able to refer you to a specialized source of information, because it is imperative that you receive professional guidance.  For instance if you were hospitalized, it would be essential for medical staff to know about your latex allergy, to isolate you from potential hazards.

Latex allergy is, perhaps, more problematical than some other allergies, because of the increasing use of products manufactured from, or containing the substance.  However, be assured that you are not the first, and certainly will not be the last person to suffer in this way.  It should be possible to make your home a safe haven, where latex is totally, and absolutely excluded.  Perhaps you could work from home, and organize your life in such a way, as to contain your allergy.

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