Latex Allergy

Due to the increased use of latex products, allergic reactions have become a significant and growing public health problem. Latex can be found in a variety of common products such as balloons, condoms, diaphragms, tires, mouse pads and gloves. For persons hypersensitive to latex, continued exposure may result in life-threatening situations including anaphylactic shock and death.

What is the difference between sensitivity and allergy?

There are 3 types of reactions. Their classification is:

Irritant contact dermatitis: dry, itchy, irritated areas on the skin, usually on the hands. This is not a true allergy.

Type IV (delayed sensitivity): allergic contact dermatitis resulting from exposure to chemicals added to latex. The rash usually begins 24-48 hours after contact, and may progress to blisters or spread.

Type I (immediate hypersensitivity or allergy): systemic, usually immediate and possibly life-threatening. Mild reactions involve skin redness, hives or itching. More severe reactions may involve respiratory symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes, scratchy throat and asthma. Shock may occur.

What are the symptoms of latex sensitivity / allergy?

• Runny nose or congestion
• Chapping or cracking hands
• Dermatitis
• Asthma
• Eye infections
• Itching (hand, eye, skin)
• Eczema
• Hay fever
• Food allergies

Who is at risk for latex allergy?

High-risk populations include any worker with routine or ongoing exposure to latex. These include:

• health care workers police, firemen, hairdressers, morticians, painters, gardeners and persons associated with food preparation
• 67% of children with spina bifida or congenital urologic abnormalities that have had multiple operations or catheterizations using latex are also latex allergic
• persons with a history of allergies such as eczema, asthma or allergies to food
• persons with a history of many surgeries or many dental procedures

How is latex sensitivity/allergy acquired?

• By wearing latex gloves.
• By breathing the dust from the powder of those gloves. The powder can remain in the air 5 to 12 hours.
• Through a wound when it is cared for using a latex glove.
• Through the mucus membrane such as when we have surgery or dental work.
• Through food which is handled by workers who wear latex gloves.
• Through our veins from the rubber ports in IV tubing or medication vials.

You may be latex allergic if

• You have itching or swelling or redness when:

• Blowing up a balloon
• Having dental work
• You have any type of surgery
• You use a bandaid

• You have allergy to foods (apricots, avocado, banana, celery, chestnut, fig, grape, kiwi, melon, papaya, passion fruit, peach, pineapple, plum, potato, tomato)

What precautions should I take if I have latex sensitivity / allergy?

• Avoid latex to prevent sensitization and anaphylactic reactions.
• Seek out health care facilities, restaurants, that are latex-safe.
• Consider wearing a medical alert bracelet. Carry an allergy alert card.
• Have your own autoinjectable emergency medications such as antihistamines and epinephrine.
• Communicate your allergy to your health care provider, to your dentist and to your employer.
• Remind health care workers to use non-latex products.

Where can I learn more about latex sensitivity/allergy?

ALERT (Allergy to Latex Education & Resource Team, Inc.)

Phone # (414) 677-9707

http://www.execpc.com/~alert/

 

American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology

Phone # (847) 427-1200

http://allergy.mcg.edu

 

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) MedWatch

Phone # 1-800-FDA-1088)

FDA Latex allergy hotline: (301) 534-3060

http://www.fdagov//cdrh/fr624/xf.html

 

Spina Bifida Association of America

Phone # 1-800-621-3141

http://infohiway.com/spinabifida/latex.html

11/18/2004