 Latex allergies were first recognized about 35 years ago. It is an alarming allergy and incidence of latex allergies are on the rise. The majority of people at risk for a latex allergy are people who have to wear gloves such as in a medical workplace or in a restaurant. Allergic reactions to latex can be very serious. Exposure to latex has been implicated in many deaths in the past decades. The FDA has reports of more than a thousand complaints attributed to latex and about fifteen deaths.
Latex is contained in over 40,000 products. It is very prevalent and many people have found that the latex can burn their skin. If you are unfamiliar with latex, it is a milky substance made from the natural rubber harvested from a rubber tree. There are some latex gloves that do not contain natural rubber. The allergy symptoms result from a reaction to the natural rubber.
Latex allergy comes in two different forms. Delayed hypersensitivity refers the development of a rash that following the use of gloves or touching products containing the allergen. Though your rash may be severe and uncomfortable, it is nothing to worry about. You should consult your doctor and to get help for the rash and any anti-bacterial medication needed to keep the rash from getting infected. The second type of allergy is much serious. The initial reaction is called anaphylaxis. This results in a lowering of the blood pressure, difficulty breathing, and potentially even death. Many patients with the second type are also affected by severe hay fever.
You can be tested for latex allergy by your doctor. He or she will usually conduct a blood test and skin test. Some people are highly prone to the severe, immediate reaction; therefore, it is important to conduct a blood test to determine the severity of an allergy. An immediate reaction can cause inability to breathe and eventually cause death by suffocation. If you are interested in being tested, you should contact your doctor to determine if you are at risk for immediate reaction or if you have a delayed hypersensitivity reaction.
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