5 Important Facts About Latex Allergies

Natural rubber latex is a product found in the sap of the rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis, which is found in Africa and Southeast Asia. Many products use latex as one of their ingredients, and some people develop an allergic reaction to it.

An allergic reaction is a problem with your immune system. It believes an innocuous substance is actually a harmful pathogen, and so it mounts an aggressive attack against it.

While the initial contact may be minimal, subsequent exposure can result in anything from a mild rash to anaphylaxis, a life-threatening reaction that restricts your breathing. Each additional exposure usually elicits a more serious reaction.

Don’t confuse natural rubber latex with synthetic rubber, which is made from chemicals. Synthetic rubber products don’t trigger an allergic reaction.

The providers at Rapid Response Urgent Care treat allergies of all sorts at our office in Granada Hills, California, including allergies to latex. For that reason, we don’t use latex gloves in our exam rooms. If you’re allergic to latex or think you might be, here are some important facts about latex allergies you need to know.

3 responses to latex

People can be exposed to latex either by touching a latex product or by breathing in latex particles that have become airborne through powder in the gloves, and they react in one of three ways.

1. Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies

The first is through IgE antibodies. When you’re first exposed, your mistaken immune system generates these antibodies, which target a particular part of the allergen. They’re produced in small amounts, but they’re primed for your next exposure.

When you encounter latex again, the antibodies recognize the foreign protein and alert your immune system to destroy it by releasing a chemical called histamine. Histamine dilates your blood vessels and causes inflammation, leading to symptoms of an allergic reaction, including hives, runny nose, and trouble breathing.

2. Contact dermatitis

The second reaction is contact dermatitis, and immune cells other than IgE cause itching, redness, and swelling of skin that touched the item.

3. Allergic contact dermatitis

A second type of skin allergy, allergic contact dermatitis, is caused by chemicals used to manufacture latex gloves. Eczema and blisters develop on the back of the hands, resembling a poison ivy rash. The rash begins 1-3 days after wearing latex gloves.

5 important facts about latex allergies

Here are five things you need to know about latex allergies:

• First, certain fruits – namely avocado, banana, chestnut, kiwi, apple, papaya, celery, melons, and passion fruit – contain the same allergens found in latex. If you're allergic to latex, you’re more likely to be allergic to these foods and vice versa.
• Second, latex only refers to the natural rubber sap; latex paints don't produce allergy symptoms.
• Third, if you have a severe latex allergy, you should carry an epinephrine (adrenaline) auto-injector for emergency treatment.
• Fourth, latex isn't just found in medical products. It also makes up part of condoms, handbags, balloons, sports shoes, tires, tools, underwear waistbands, rubber toys, baby bottles, nipples, and pacifiers.
• Fifth, people with spina bifida, a congenital defect of the spine, are at the highest risk of a latex allergy, as they’re exposed to products through early and frequent medical care.

If you’re allergic to latex, Rapid Response Urgent Care can help you learn how to manage your condition. Walk in, call us at 818-923-5216, or book an appointment online today.