[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Allergies T-Hero Section” module_class=”hero tert” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_image=”https:\/\/aafa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/AAFA-Website_Tertiary_Allergies.jpg” background_position=”top_right” custom_padding=”1%||1%||true|false” global_module=”2217″ saved_tabs=”all” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_image=”off” background_size=”initial” background_position=”bottom_left” background_horizontal_offset=”0%” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”2%||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Nav Parent Title” module_class=”tert-parent” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_text_align=”left” header_2_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_2_font_size=”32px” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
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Latex is a protein found in the sap of a rubber tree grown in Africa and Southeast Asia. The term also refers to natural rubber products made from that sap. Around 4.3% of the general population has a latex allergy.1<\/sup><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Page Content” module_class=”secondary-intro” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ text_line_height=”1.5em” header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008c99″ header_2_font_size=”39px” custom_margin=”||3%||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n If you have a latex allergy, you may have an allergic reaction if you come in contact with latex. You may come into contact in different ways. You may have allergic reactions by breathing in latex fibers in the air. You can have allergic reactions if latex touches your skin. You may have an allergic reaction to some fruits that cross-react with latex.<\/p>\n Many everyday products contain latex, such as:<\/p>\n This is just a small number of items that may contain latex.<\/p>\n Synthetic latex, found in latex paint, does not come from the sap of a rubber tree. Synthetic latex does not cause latex allergy symptoms.<\/p>\n If you think you may be allergic to latex, see a board-certified allergist to confirm the allergy. To diagnose a latex allergy, the doctor will ask you about your medical history and do a physical exam. If they think you have a latex allergy, they may order an\u00a0allergy skin test or blood test<\/a>. Your doctor will compare your test results with your history and physical exam to diagnose a latex allergy.<\/p>\n There are 2 main types of reactions to natural rubber latex:<\/p>\n If you have any type of allergic reaction to latex, you should avoid it.<\/p>\n IgE-Mediated Latex Allergy<\/strong><\/p>\n An IgE-mediated latex allergy is an allergy to natural rubber latex proteins. Your body\u2019s immune system makes specific antibodies called IgE antibodies. These antibodies react with latex proteins and cause\u00a0allergy symptoms<\/a>.<\/p>\n An allergic reaction can occur when latex:<\/p>\n IgE allergic reactions to latex can cause a\u00a0severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis<\/a>\u00a0[anna-fih-LACK-sis].<\/p>\n Contact Dermatitis<\/strong><\/p>\n Dermatitis means skin inflammation. There are 2 types of contact dermatitis that can occur with a latex allergy:<\/p>\n Allergic contact dermatitis is a type of allergy to chemicals used to make latex. This is not a reaction to rubber proteins. It does not cause anaphylaxis.<\/p>\n These chemicals can cause contact dermatitis 24 to 48 hours after exposure. This type of dermatitis can spread to other areas of your body, if touched. Symptoms usually go away, but you may need medical treatment if they continue.<\/p>\n Irritant contact dermatitis is a common reaction to natural rubber latex, but it is not an allergy. Irritant contact dermatitis is a red, itchy rash that breaks out where latex has touched your skin. It appears 12 to 24 hours after contact.<\/p>\n Many people who develop an IgE-mediated latex allergy will have contact dermatitis first. If you have contact dermatitis to latex, it may be a warning that you could develop a latex allergy later. Talk with your allergist if contact with latex and products that contain latex cause you to have contact dermatitis.<\/p>\n You may have some early symptoms after you have contact with latex items, such as:<\/p>\n If you are highly allergic to latex, you may have severe reactions from contact with latex. You may even react to a small amount of latex in the air, such as being in a room near latex balloons or gloves. These more severe reactions can include:<\/p>\n Anaphylaxis can be serious. It may even cause death.<\/p>\n Do not ignore symptoms that suggest you may be allergic to latex. Ongoing contact with latex products can lead to more severe reactions. Repeated exposure to latex may lead to chronic conditions like\u00a0work-related (occupational) asthma<\/a>.<\/p>\n Certain groups of people tend to have a greater risk of developing a latex allergy. These groups include:<\/p>\n New cases of latex allergy aren\u2019t as common now. Rates were higher in the 1980s and \u201890s when health care workers used latex products more often. Now many health care facilities use non-latex gloves and products.<\/p>\n If you have a latex allergy, work with your doctor to learn how to recognize symptoms of an allergic reaction and how to treat it.<\/p>\n Some foods have proteins that are like the proteins in rubber tree sap. If you have a latex allergy, you may have reactions to some foods. This is called \u201clatex-fruit syndrome\u201d or \u201clatex-food allergy syndrome.\u201d About 30 to 50% of people with a latex allergy have latex-fruit syndrome.2<\/sup><\/p>\n Here are some of the foods you may react to if you have a latex allergy:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Medical Review” module_class=”med-rev” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ text_font_size=”16px” link_text_color=”#008C99″ link_font_size=”16px” header_5_font=”|600|||||||” header_5_text_align=”left” header_5_text_color=”#008c99″ custom_margin=”||3%||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Medical Review<\/a>: September 2024 by Mitchell H. Grayson, MD<\/small><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_accordion open_toggle_text_color=”#FFFFFF” open_toggle_background_color=”#f0f0f0″ closed_toggle_text_color=”#FFFFFF” closed_toggle_background_color=”#f0f0f0″ toggle_icon=”L||divi||400″ icon_color=”#FFFFFF” use_icon_font_size=”on” icon_font_size=”20px” admin_label=”References” module_class=”accord” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” toggle_text_color=”#FFFFFF” toggle_font=”|600|||||||” toggle_font_size=”22px” closed_toggle_font=”|600|||||||” closed_toggle_font_size=”22px” body_text_color=”#505050″ body_font_size=”16px” body_line_height=”1.4em” body_link_font=”||||on|||#008C99|” text_orientation=”left” custom_margin=”||2%||false|false” border_width_all=”0px” global_module=”8665″ saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Closed” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”on”][\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”References” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][\/et_pb_accordion][et_pb_code admin_label=”Print” module_id=”print” module_class=”clearfix” _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_module=”5156″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]\n
How Do Doctors Diagnose a Latex Allergy?<\/h3>\n
What Are the Types of Latex Reactions?<\/h3>\n
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What Are the Symptoms of a Latex Allergy?<\/h3>\n
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Who Is Likely to Have a Latex Allergy?<\/h3>\n
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How Can I Prevent Allergic Reactions to Latex?<\/h3>\n
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Are Latex and Food Allergies Related?<\/h3>\n
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