Latex allergy

A friend has requested, for me to write about latex allergy. Natural latex rubber is a milky fluid obtained from the rubber tree (Havea Brasilieasis)mostly grown in South East Asia including the philippines. It is use in large number of products including glue, foam, gloves, catheters, condoms, balloons, toys, erasers, sports equipment, clothing, elastic bands, medical and dental equipment. Tell your health practitioner if you have latex allergy especially if you are recieving treatment from them, most hospital equipments are with latex component.

There are two types of allergy related to natural rubber latex, one is cause by natural latex proteins and the other is the chemicals use to convert it to the useable items. An example of these chemicals include thiurams, dithiocarbonates, mercaptobenzothiozoles(MBT). Allergic reactions to natural latex proteins are potentially life threatening, this is type I allergy (contact urticaria). Immediate symptoms includes urticaria (hives) at the site of contact with latex (hands-gloves, genital-condom), hayfever type symptoms, bronchial constriction(asthma) and breathing problems may occur. if your airway(breathing) is affected, this is an emergency situation and call for help as soon as possible. This reaction is manifested between 5-15 minutes after contact with latex product, or delayed for several hours. Symptoms can continue after latex contact had stopped.

Allergy to the chemical components of NRL is a type IV allergy (contact allergy) that is delayed type of reactions, 6-48 hours after exposure. It can cause a rash, itching and at times blisters. Contact allergy is not sensitivity to latex protein but rather to chemicals used in the manufacture of latex product. History taking and clinical examination can help with diagnosing latex allergy. There are some test that are use to help in confirming the diagnosis.

Patch test is use for contact dermatitis where a series of batteries (chemicals) are place in an alluminum chambers and applied on the person's back and left for 48 hours. Afterwards initial reading is done and repeated after 48 hours. Results are interpreted if the person is allergic or not to the test done.

Prick Test is done for person that are suspected to be allergic to the latex protein. The solution is prick into the intradermal part of the skin and the result is interpreted after 15-30 minutes. Radioallergosorbent test (RAST) is a blood test to determine if the person is allergic to certain substances, it is not as accurate as the skin test but it needs to be correlated with the clinical symptoms.

If you are allergic to latex, then it needs to be avoided. Check the day to day products you use and warn your employer about your latex allergy. Topical steroids are used for contact allergy and contact urticaria with airway obstruction is treated as an emergency situation. Mild to moderate urticaria is treated with antihistamine. Please see your health practitioner if you suspect that you are allergic to latex.