Latex Allergy
Natural rubber latex comes from a liquid in tropical rubber trees. This liquid is processed to make many rubber products we use around the home and at work. There are many household products which contain latex, and include some the following items:
- Balloons
- Rubber toys
- Pacifiers and baby-bottle nipples
- Rubber bands
- Adhesive tape and bandages
- Condoms
Many medical and dental supplies contain latex, including gloves, urinary catheters, dental dams, tourniquets, material used to fill root canals, and equipment for resuscitation. As in the case for condoms, Non-latex substitutes can be found for all of these latex-containing items.
The protein in rubber can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Products using the thin, stretchy rubber found in gloves, condoms and balloons is high in this protein and cause more allergic reactions than products made of hard rubber such as tires. Sometimes products like condoms and gloves are coated with cornstarch powder. The protein particles stick to the cornstarch and can become airborne when handled.
A latex allergy can be mild, with symptoms such as itchy, red, watery eyes, sneezing or runny nose, coughing, rash or hives. It can also be very severe, with symptoms like chest tightness, shortness of breath and shock. It may even cause death. A latex-sensitive person can have a life-threatening allergic reaction with no previous warning or symptoms.
Latex products are everywhere. Anyone can become allergic to latex. Apparently people with the highest risk are those who have had many operations, especially in childhood. People with spina bifida and urologic abnormalities, health care workers, and rubber industry workers are also at risk.
Because some proteins in rubber are similar to some food proteins, some foods may cause an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to latex. The most common of these foods are banana, avocado, chestnut, kiwi fruit and tomato. Although many other foods can cause an allergic reaction, avoiding all of them might cause nutrition problems. Therefore, it's recommended that you avoid only the foods that have already given you an allergic reaction.
See a doctor, preferably one with experience in treating latex allergy. Your doctor will take a detailed history and may confirm the diagnosis with a blood test. Skin testing is done in some specialized centers. It's not used everywhere, because it can cause severe reactions if it isn't done by an experienced person.
Although there is no treatment for latex allergy, you can reduce your risk of reaction by avoiding direct contact with latex. Take steps to find out which products in your environment contain latex and the substitutes you can use for those products. It's also important to avoid breathing in latex particles from powdered gloves.
Fortunately several products are available for latex sensitive users and are made out of polyurethane. Trojan makes the supra condom and Durex offers the Avanti non-latex condom. In addition the Female Condom is also made of polyurethane - not latex.
Take steps to educate yourself and others by joining the following resource networks and support groups.
Latex Allergy News: The Information Sharing Vehicle of ELASTIC
(Education for Latex Allergy Support Team and Information Coalition)
Telephone: 860-482-6869 www.latex-allergy.org
Adapted by material written by: the American Academy of Family Physicians. Copyright © 2001 familydoctor.org
