Latex Allergy

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is a latex allergy? A latex allergy is a reaction of your body to the protein in natural rubber latex (NRL). NRL is a milky fluid taken from the rubber tree, and is used to make rubber products. NRL proteins can enter your body through your skin or mouth. The proteins may also be breathed in. Certain people develop allergies when they are exposed to these proteins. Latex gloves also have the protein, and can cause an allergic reaction in some people. When you are exposed to latex more than once, you may become allergic to it.

What products are made up of latex? Latex is used to make many rubber products. Rubber products are found in homes, hospitals, and the workplace. The following are products that may contain latex:

• Bite blocks used during dental visits.
  
  
• Certain clothing items, such as brassieres, shoes, belts, and suspenders.
  
  
• Diapers, bottle nipples, and pacifiers (soothers).
  
  
• Foam pillows, carpet backing, and garden hoses.
  
  
• Rubber gloves, and golf or tennis grips.

• Catheters, medical tubes, and rubber injection ports or plunger tips.
  
  
• Condoms, diaphragms, contraceptive sponges, and female sanitary pads.
  
  
• Face masks, breathing tubes, or other respiratory equipment.
  
  
• Medicine bottles with rubber tops.
  
  
• Tape, bandages, and cuffs or tourniquets. A tourniquet is a rubber strap that may be tied around your arm when you need to have blood collected for a test.

Who is at risk of getting a latex allergy?

• Children who have spina bifida, or have problems with how their bodies develop.
  
  
• Children who have had surgery before their first birthday.
  
  
• Healthcare workers or people whose work often expose them to latex. Healthcare workers include people who work in hospitals, medical or dental clinics, or labs. Hairdressers, glove makers, housekeepers, and people who work with food, fabric or in a greenhouse are also at risk.
  
  
• People who have hay fever, asthma, food allergies, or skin conditions. People who are allergic to raw potatoes, tomatoes, celery, or certain fruits are at high risk. These fruits include avocado, chestnut, kiwi, banana, peach, cherry, mango, melon, pineapple, cantaloupe, apple, pear, strawberries, and papaya.
  
  
• People who had an unexpected allergic reaction, especially if it happened after the person had surgery or was a patient in the hospital.

What are the signs and symptoms of a latex allergy? Signs and symptoms depend on how much your body reacts when exposed to latex. The following three types of reactions may occur:

• Irritant contact dermatitis: This is the most common reaction to latex. You will have signs and symptoms only on the part of your skin that touched latex. Signs can appear minutes to hours after being exposed to the latex. If you have this reaction, your skin may be itchy, or feel like it is burning. You may get bumps, sores, blisters or a skin rash. Your skin may feel dry. This type of reaction can lead to another type of reaction at a later time.
  
  
• Allergic contact dermatitis: Signs and symptoms are the same as those of irritant contact dermatitis, but also affect skin that has not touched latex. Signs and symptoms include facial swelling, especially around your eyes. Skin areas may crack, and peel away or flake off. Signs and symptoms may appear 24 to 48 hours after touching latex, and go away in 3 to 4 days.
  
  
• True latex allergies: This is the most serious type of reaction to latex, and happens within minutes of contact with latex. Signs and symptoms may range from mild, to severe (very bad). With this reaction, your skin is red and itchy, and this spreads all over your body. You have a runny nose, watery swollen eyes, and sneezing. Your heartbeat is fast, and you have trouble breathing. Your blood pressure goes very low, and you may pass out (lose consciousness), and even die.

How is an allergy to latex diagnosed? Your caregiver will ask you about diseases and medical problems you have had in the past. He will ask you about your signs and symptoms, and blood may be collected for tests. You may also need skin tests. Ask your caregiver for more information about the tests that you need to have.

What should I do if I have signs or symptoms of a latex allergy?

• If you think that you are having mild signs of a latex allergy, such as a new rash on your skin where it touched latex, see a caregiver. You may need to have blood and skin tests, and see a caregiver called an allergist who works with people who have allergies. Learn what products have latex. Look around your home and workplace to find items that you touch and use which are made of latex.
  
  
• Avoid products that are made of latex. Stay away from places where you might breathe powder from latex gloves worn by others.
  
  
• Ask your caregiver if you should use antihistamines. This medicine may be taken to treat the symptoms of a mild latex allergy, such as a rash or hives on your skin. This medicine may also decrease symptoms such as a runny nose and watery eyes. Ask caregivers for more information about this medicine.
  
  
• Ask your caregiver if you should carry epinephrine. Caregivers may suggest that you have medicine called epinephrine available to use. This medicine can be taken if you have a very bad allergic reaction, and can save your life. Ask caregivers to show you and a family member or friend how to give a shot of epinephrine. Ask for more information about this medicine.
  
  
• If you have signs and symptoms of a true latex allergy, get help immediately. A severe allergic reaction can be life-threatening. You may first feel warm and flushed, have a tingling feeling in your mouth or a red, itchy rash. You may feel dizzy, or have a very fast heartbeat. You may feel tightness in your chest or throat, have trouble breathing, or be wheezing. If this happens, call 911 immediately for an ambulance to take you to the hospital. Do not try to drive yourself to the hospital.

What can I do to prevent exposure to latex?

• Learn what type of gloves are not made of latex. It may be safe for you to use vinyl or synthetic gloves at home or your workplace. Keep a supply of these non-latex gloves in your house and car.
  
  
• Tell caregivers that you are allergic to latex. Wear a medical alert bracelet so others know that you are allergic to latex. Ask caregivers where you can buy a medical alert bracelet.

How can a latex allergy be prevented? The best way to prevent getting an allergy to latex is to avoid being around latex. Do the following:

• Keep areas that have latex in and around them very clean. This includes floors, carpets, furniture, and air vents. Change air filters and vacuum bags often.
  
  
• Use non-latex gloves in your home and workplace. If you need to use gloves that contain latex, use reduced-powder or powder-free gloves. These gloves have fewer latex proteins.
  
  
• Use lotion or cream on your hands to keep them moist. When you wear gloves, do not put lotion on your hands right before putting on the gloves.
  
  
• After you take off the gloves, wash your hands with mild soap, and dry them well.

Where can I find more information about allergies to latex?

• American Academy of Family Physicians
  PO Box 11210
  Shawnee Mission, KS 66207-1210
  Phone: 1-913-906-6000
  Web Address: http://www.aafp.org
  

• Latex Allergy Help
  Web Address: http://www.latexallergyhelp.com
  

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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