Learn About Latex Allergies

Rubber and products made of rubber contain a high amount of protein. People with latex allergies get an allergic reaction caused by this protein in rubber products. Latex allergy symptoms can be mild or severe and will cause many problems for people with this allergy as many products contain rubber nowadays.

Items made with soft stretchy rubber such as used in latex rubber gloves cause the most problems. Soft rubber causes more allergic reactions than hard rubber used for example in car tyres. Quite often soft rubber items such as gloves and balloons are coated with a thin layer of corn starch to make them easier to use. Tiny particles of rubber stick to this starch and fly off through the air when a wrapper containing the rubber product is opened. In places where rubber gloves are put on frequently such as hospitals, the air can be filled with tiny rubber dust particles.

Who Stand The Risk of Contracting Latex Allergies?

As latex products are widely used everywhere and a person can develop allergies to latex at any point in their life, anyone can suffer from this allergy. However, People in medical profession are more likely to end up with a latex gloves allergy. Health care workers who already suffer from hay fever are more likely to develop allergies to latex, as they are more susceptible to allergies in general. People who have had multiple operations performed on them run a higher risk of developing this allergy and people with spina bifida are more likely to end up needing latex allergy treatment.

Products That Contain Latex

Many products that are much used around the home and at work contain rubber. For people sensitive to allergies it I important to know what products contain the soft rubber that usually causes this problem. A few examples of these items are:

• Balloons
• Rubber toys for dogs and children.
• Pacifiers and baby bottle nipples.
• Rubber bands. Condoms.
• Medical supplies such as catheters

Continue to: What are the Symptoms of Latex Allergy