Even though latex is a natural product, there are people whose immune systems are hypersensitive when they come into contact with this substance – these people are affected by a latex allergy.
The human body is allergic and hypersensitive to some substances it comes into contact with. For example on latex a substance found in nature, obtained from the rubber tree and called natural rubber or natural latex. It is also produced synthetically, but comes in both it’s naturally in the artificial form as a trigger for an allergy in question. The skin is usually reddened at the point of contact, it burns and it causes severe itching.
In a latex allergy
The contact with latex products should be avoided at all costs. Latex is found in many products such as disposable gloves, protective gloves, pacifiers, baby bottles, slip socks, rubber bands, and rubber pads for mattresses or diapers, balloons, hot water bottles, condoms and in many medical products. In Germany, two percent of the population suffers from such or a similar allergy. Especially in the last 30 years, the number of those affected has increased rapidly. Meanwhile, the latex allergy is one of the most common occupational allergies. When you want to know How to treat an allergic reaction to latex then the following answers start coming up.
Latex allergies are relatively common in the population, with people who come in contact with the material professionally, are affected more often than average. It is an allergic reaction either to certain additives in latex materials or to proteins in natural latex. The typical symptoms of a latex allergy such as skin redness, hives, irritation of eyes and respiratory tract or even an allergic shock are similar to those that occur in allergies to other triggers. Final clarity can createan allergytest. In addition to the treatment of acute allergy symptoms in the latex allergy is mainly the avoidance of contact with natural latex in the foreground, which requires a high degree of attention because of the widespread use of the material.
Natural latex is found in everyday life in a variety of forms – from balloons and work gloves on door seals to condoms, quite apart from the numerous uses in the medical field. But as helpful and versatile as the material is, it has such a problematic effect on some people. Because latex can trigger a serious allergy.
Symptoms of a latex allergy
A latex allergy can be divided into two types of allergies:
Type 1, the “immediate type”: In this type of latex allergy the body produces antibodies to certain proteins when in contact with natural latex.
Type 2 ” latex: In this type of latex allergy, additives such as dyes and antioxidants are the cause of the allergy. The allergic reaction usually occurs about twelve hours after contact with the allergen. The immune system falsely considers the additives to be dangerous and tries to ward off them. As a result, there is an allergic reaction of the skin.
The symptoms on contact express themselves with itchy rash, big red welts that spread quickly on the body. Even swelling of the eyelids, watery eyes and a runny nose can be triggered. Throat pain to respiratory distress and anaphylactic shock can be the consequences. Especially as a doctor, you are often affected by this allergy. Since in the practice regularly powdered latex gloves are used. These gloves are particularly dangerous because the powder whirls up the allergenic substances. Sneezing attacks and coughing irritations to circulatory problems are usually the consequences. If the allergic person does not prevent contact, there is a risk that chronic eczema will develop. This allergic eczema is typical of contact allergies.
If you have a diagnosis of allergy, you should try to avoid natural latex and other products. But since the latex content is not specified in many items, it is difficult to detect all pathogens immediately. It is particularly common in the following products:
- condoms
- diaphragm
- balloons
- Baby Pacifiers
- chewing gum
- Disposable gloves and cleaning gloves
- mattresses
- adhesives
- balloons
- Shoes
- car tire
Diagnose latex allergy
To properly diagnose a latex allergy, a visit to a doctor is inevitable. One of the best known allergy tests that give particularly fast and very reliable results is the prick test. First, your skin is scratched – almost always on the forearm – slightly. Subsequently, the allergens are applied in liquid form to this site. After just a quarter of an hour, the result is set. In the case of a latex allergy, swelling or at least redness is found at the test site. The RAST test also helps to provide a fast and reliable diagnosis. With him, a blood test, in which it is determined whether antibodies are in the blood. However, this test is not quite as meaningful as the prick test. Often a so-called provocation test is carried out. It is simply a latex glove dressed in the presence of the doctor. Thus, skin changes or circulatory problems can be recognized immediately.
So you can treat a latex allergy
Of course, the best protection against symptoms is to completely avoid the allergen, in this case latex. Latex-free gloves or latex-free condoms are a good alternative. If you often come into contact with latex products in your profession, you can contact the company doctor or the professional association. Bypassing latex is not that easy, since latex-containing products are found everywhere in everyday life. And the items or materials are usually not or only insufficiently marked. The more often the immune system comes into contact with it, the faster it responds excessively to latex. If you know of your allergy, then you should pay attention to the use of latex-free products, as far as possible.
If you have ever come in contact with latex, help antihistamines, which inhibit the formation of histamine, which are responsible for the immune reactions. Other medications in turn stabilize the circulation. Latex-free gloves or latex-free condoms are now available on the market, helping to prevent dangerous allergies. Even if you want to get a new mattress, you should make sure that it is latex free. Visit https://laidtex.com/ for more details.
Medications:
A treatment with drugs is possible. There are various ingredients that help to relieve the symptoms. Treatment with antihistamines inhibits the formation of so-called histamines. Histamines are released by the body during a reaction and promote the allergic reaction. Also, cortisone (as ointments or tablet) can help to strangle the immune system.
