Help I Am Allergic To Latex
If you are allergic to latex then you suffer from allergies Type 1 or contact allergy. Latex is made from a natural milky liquid found in topical rubber trees. The protein found in latex causes the immune system in some individuals to overreact and treat the protein as a harmful to your body. Whey your body responds to the invasion, your body releases histamine from the irritated area such as the skin, nasal and bronchial areas.
Reactions usually begin within a couple of minutes to several hours after exposure to latex. Mild symptoms involve skin redness, hives, or itching. In more sever cases the respiratory system is involved. Wheezing, coughing or difficulty in breathing may be noted. If any of the breathing symptoms occur or if the other symptoms are pronounced then prompt emergency treatment is needed.
Latex is used in making condoms, diapers, rubber bands, rubber toys, sanitary pads, adhesive tape, balloons, urinary catheters, and exam gloves. Individuals that are allergic to latex can also be allergic to banana, avocado, kiwi fruit, chestnut, and tomato.
Sensitivity can develop over time and may not appear when you are expose to the irritant the first several times. A good example of this is the growing number of healthcare workers that are becoming allergic to latex after regular and prolonged exposure to latex examination gloves. The amount of exposure needed to cause someone to become allergic to latex is unknown. Exposure at very low levels can start and allergic reaction to some hypersensitive individuals.
Since the outbreak of AIDS a growing number of other industries are also showing an increased number of individuals developing an allergy to latex do the increased use of latex gloves. Such workers include law enforcement personnel, funeral-home workers, fire fighters, painters, gardeners, food handlers, and housekeeping personnel.
Some hospital examination latex gloves are coated with cornstarch powder. The latex proteins stick to the cornstarch and become airborne when the gloves are removed. Hospitals air contains many latex particles due to the frequent removal of the latex gloves. Other causes for healthcare workers allergic reactions are frequent washing of the hands, incomplete drying, hand sanitizers and zinc oxide.
Using latex gloves that are powder-free will reduce the number of airborne proteins. There are several type of synthetic rubber also referred to as latex, but these do not release the proteins that cause the allergic reaction.
Always consult your doctor before using this information.
This Article is nutritional in nature and is not to be construed as medical advice.
David Cowley has created over 50 articles about the relationship between diseases and vitamins. For other articles on Allergies click on Articles on Allergies and for other articles click on Other Articles
Information About Latex Gloves And Latex Allergies
Latex is a natural substance found in nature that comes from the rubber tree. The milky white fluid is drained from the tree...
Latex Allergy and Latex Foam Mattresses, Pillows or Toppers
Latex Allergy FactsLately we have been getting a lot of inquiries about latex allergies and how they may relate to latex foam...
If You Suffer From These Symptoms After Touching Latex, You Probably Have A Latex Allergy!
A latex allergy is quite a strange allergy to have, and its one that we do not often hear much about. Latex is a rubbery subs...
Latex Allergy Is Not Just A Rubber Allergy
Natural rubber latex (NRL) allergy has emerged over the last decade, it is an allergic sensitivity to the proteins in NRL tha...
What Is A Skin Allergy?
What is a skin allergy? A skin allergy is a reaction caused by a substance that comes in contact with the skin, thus a skin a...
Natural Latex
Popular in Europe for decades, natural latex has evolved into the best natural sleeping surface on the market today. Beginnin...
3 Steps to Managing Skin Allergies
An effective approach to managing skin allergies has three components. Firstly you must understand the condition, then you m...
Skin Allergies
Allergy is a condition in which the body tends to react due to hypersensitivity to some substance such as food, drugs, drinks...
So Who Or What Is To Blame For My Allergies?
An allergic reaction is an overactive response of the immune system to triggers - or allergens - that provoke a series of eve...
Allergies to Bee Stings
It is not uncommon for people to be allergic to bee stings. However, some people do not even realize that they have a problem...
Choosing Pets for Kids with Allergies
I love dogs. My partner loves dogs. My kids love dogs. Trouble is, dogs dont love my kids at least not when it comes to alle...
What Is A Drug Allergy?
Having a drug allergy can be dangerous. You may wander what this is. A drug allergy is going to happen when your immune syst...
Having Pet Allergies
It is hard to spend time with your animal if you are allergic to them. So many people are finding it painfully hard to be wi...
Food Allergy - A Common Health Problem
The leading cause of anaphylaxis in the USA is food allergy. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction, rapid in onset and so...
What Are You Allergic To?
Some of the common things that people are allergic to are: Food Insect bites/stings Medication Airborne particles ChemicalsFo...
Types of Allergy Testing
Our immune system plays impotent role to keep our body safe from dangerous harms. Allergy is response of our immune system, w...
What Happens To You When You Have An Allergic Reaction
Each year, about midsummer, millions of children and adults begin to show various significant allergy symptoms. They sneeze, ...
Help I Am Allergic To Seafood
If you are allergic to seafood then you suffer from Allergies Type 1, also called Contact Allergies. Countries where seafood...
An Educational Story
A friend of mine told me a story about his experience with Allergic Reactions, which I want to share with you.When we were te...
Are There Really Cures for Allergic Rhinitis?
Cures for Allergic RhinitisThe majority of the medical community believes that there are no cures for allergic rhinitis, a co...