What Are The Symptoms of Latex Allergy?

Symptoms of latex allergy differ per individual. The symptoms of latex allergies can take a long time to show up on the body, from 12 to 36 hours. People who are sensitive to latex can experience sudden and life threatening allergic reactions and need urgent latex allergy treatment. The best know latex allergy symptoms are:

• Red itchy eyes
• Sudden and continuous sneezing and a runny nose
• Sudden coughing especially combined with itchy eyes
• A rash or hives
• Tightness on the chest and shortness of breath. This is a severe symptom and a doctor should be consulted immediately when you experience any of these symptoms

A person with a latex glove allergy might also experience the following symptoms:

• A sudden (itchy) rash on the hands
• Cracks in the skin on the hands
• Raised areas of red skin on the hands

People with allergies to latex, and specifically a latex gloves allergy, should wear glove liners made of another material and for these people moisturising hand care is essential as a dry skin is more prone to allergies.

What Aauses Latex Allergy?

For people with a latex glove allergies or latex allergies the smallest amount of latex that the body gets in contact with can be enough to cause extreme effects. Rubber products can be dusted with talcum powder or corn starch and this powder spreads particles of rubber through the air. This shows that it is not necessary for the body to actually touch the rubber product for it to cause extreme symptoms.

How Is Latex Allergy diagnosed?

A person is probably allergic to latex if they have a reaction occurring within half an hour of coming into contact with latex. A doctor can diagnose you with this illness after using a skin prick test or a blood test for latex allergy testing. The number of antibodies for this allergy in the blood is counted. A large number of antibodies in the blood indicate an allergy.

Treatment for Latex Allergies

When experiencing latex allergy symptoms the first thing to do is to remove any products that could possibly contain rubber from the body. If you have not and are not wearing or using any rubber products, moving into another room can minimise the symptoms. Treatment methods are:

Antihistamines

An antihistamine tablet (for example Benadryl) will reduce the symptoms such as itching and swelling. Should any reactions of the body be painful it is possible to take some aspirin. If this is a minor rubber allergy attack, the symptoms will wear off in 1-3 hours. Antihistamines can be prescribed by your doctor.

Epinephrine

People with severe latex allergies need to carry medication around with them in case they come in contact with rubber. Epinephrine (adrenaline) shots must be self-injected or can be injected by a doctor when symptoms become apparent. The treatment has to be administered right away and the effect of epinephrine will make symptoms wear off and stops the development of allergic symptoms in the case of an anaphylactic reaction to latex.

How To Prevent Latex Allergies?

Avoid Exposure to Latex and Inhaling Latex

Reducing your exposure to latex and environments in which latex is used is imperative. Hospital surgery theatres are an important but often ignored source of exposure. If you suffer from latex allergies and you need to have surgery done, make sure to inform your doctor and surgeon so that they can take the necessary precautions (like wearing non-rubber gloves).

Other Ways To Prevent Latex Allergies Are:

• Avoid Inhaling Latex
  Avoid shops where balloons are sold and blown up for kids and places where people tend to wear (and take off) latex gloves often.
  
  
• Making People Aware
  Wear a bracelet containing information about your allergy in case of a severe allergic reaction. The bracelet could also contain helpful information about latex allergy symptoms.
  
  
• Be Aware of Procedures
  Many latex products are used in hospital treatments such as catheters, make sure that you know what treatment you will receive and warn doctors who will treat you about your allergy.

As latex allergies can cause sudden and severe reactions make sure that the people around you know that you suffer from this allergy. If you watch out for symptoms and avoid situations where you might get in touch with latex, you will be able to lead a normal and relaxed life free from latex allergy symptoms.