What is Latex Allergy

Latex is a fluid made by certain trees. It is used to make many rubber products, including gloves, rubber bands, balloons, adhesive tape, and adhesive bandages. A latex allergy is an abnormal reaction to latex by the body’s defense system (immune system).

Having a latex allergy increases your chances of developing allergies to certain foods. These include avocados, bananas, chestnuts, kiwis, and tomatoes.

What are the causes?

This condition occurs when the immune system mistakenly reacts to latex as a harmful substance and releases antibodies to fight it.

What increases the risk?

You are more likely to develop a latex allergy if:

• You work in the health care or rubber industry.
• You are a patient and you have more than one medical procedure.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms are triggered by touching an item that was made with latex or by breathing in particles of latex. Symptoms may be mild or severe. They usually start minutes after you are exposed to latex, but they can occur even a few hours later. In people with a severe allergy, symptoms can start within seconds.

Mild symptoms of this condition include:

• Nasal congestion.
• Tingling in the mouth.
• An itchy, red rash.
• Watery eyes.
• Coughing.

Severe symptoms can be a sign of a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis. Get help right away if you have symptoms of anaphylaxis, such as:

• Feeling warm in the face (flushed). This may include redness.
• Itchy, red, swollen areas of skin (hives).
• Swelling of the eyes, lips, face, mouth, tongue, or throat.
• Difficulty breathing, speaking, or swallowing.
• Noisy breathing (wheezing).
• Dizziness or light-headedness.
• Fainting.
• Pain or cramping in the abdomen.
• Vomiting.
• Diarrhea.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition may be diagnosed with:

• A physical exam.
• Medical and family history.
• Skin or blood tests.

How is this treated?

There is no cure for this condition, but treatment can relieve symptoms and stop serious complications of a latex allergy. Mild symptoms may not need treatment.

People who have had a severe reaction may be prescribed rescue medicines to take if they are accidentally exposed to latex. Your health care provider may teach you:

• How to use an anaphylaxis kit.
• How to give yourself an epinephrine injection using what is commonly called an auto-injector “pen” (pre-filled automatic epinephrine injection device).

If you think that you are having an anaphylactic reaction, use your auto-injector pen or anaphylaxis kit. If you use a kit or pen, you must still get emergency medical treatment.

Severe reactions usually need to be treated at the hospital. Treatment may include:

• Medicines that help:
  • Tighten your blood vessels (epinephrine).
  • Relieve itching and hives (antihistamines).
  • Widen the narrow and tight airways (bronchodilators).
  • Reduce swelling (corticosteroids).
• Oxygen therapy to help you breathe.
• IV fluids to keep you hydrated.

Follow these instructions at home:

If you have a severe latex allergy:

• Wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace that describes your allergy.
• Carry your anaphylaxis kit or an auto-injector pen with you at all times. Use them as told by your health care provider.
• Make sure that you, your family members, and your employer know:
  • The signs of anaphylaxis.
  • How to use an anaphylaxis kit.
  • How to use an auto-injector pen.
• If you think that you are having an anaphylactic reaction, use your auto-injector pen or anaphylaxis kit.
• Replace your auto-injector pen immediately after use, in case you have another reaction.
• Seek medical care even after you use your auto-injector pen. This is important because you can have a delayed, life-threatening reaction after taking the medicine (rebound anaphylaxis).

General instructions

• Avoid exposure to latex.
• Use latex-free alternatives.
• Be careful of products labeled “hypoallergenic.” “Hypoallergenic” does not mean “latex-free.”
• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• If you have hives or a rash:
  • Use an over-the-counter antihistamine as told by your health care provider.
  • Apply cold, wet cloths (cold compresses) to your skin or take baths or showers in cool water. Avoid hot water.
• Tell all your health care providers that you have a latex allergy.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• Your symptoms have not gone away within 2 days.
• You develop new symptoms.

Get help right away if you have symptoms of anaphylaxis:

• Flushed skin.
• Hives.
• Swelling of the eyes, lips, face, mouth, tongue, or throat.
• Difficulty breathing, speaking, or swallowing.
• Wheezing.
• Dizziness or light-headedness.
• Fainting.
• Pain or cramping in the abdomen.
• Vomiting.
• Diarrhea.

These symptoms may represent a serious problem that is an emergency. Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away. Use your auto-injector pen or anaphylaxis kit as you have been told. Get medical help right away. Call your local emergency services (911 in the U.S.). Do not drive yourself to the hospital.

If you needed to use an auto-injector pen, you need more medical care even if the medicine seems to be helping. This is important because anaphylaxis may happen again within 72 hours.

Summary

• A latex allergy is an abnormal reaction to latex by the body’s defense system (immune system).
• A severe latex allergy can cause a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis. This must be treated right away.
• If you have a severe latex allergy, carry your anaphylaxis kit or auto-injector pen with you at all times. Use them as told by your health care provider.