Common Latex Allergy Symptoms

Latex allergies have been on the increase in the United States and for good reason. A huge movement towards latex gloves occured in the healthcare industry soon after the increase in AIDS cases in the 1980's, and the side effects were far reaching. What followed was a huge increase in latex allergy cases. An allergic reaction will typically happen soon after the patient's skin comes into contact with the rubber gloves that are worn by medical workers, but the powder residue that comes off the gloves when they are removed is also an allergen. This powder can cause symptoms similar to hay fever and can also worsen asthma in many people. Some of the common mild latex allergy symptoms are:

  • Sneezing
  • Coughing
  • Itchy and Watery Eyes
  • Hives
  • A Red Rash

A person can also have a more severe anaphylactic reaction to latex. This condition can affect multiple large organs in the body and can quickly spiral out of control to the point where immediate medical attention is necessary. Some of the signs that your allergy could be turning very serious are:

  • Your Speech Is Slurred
  • Your Skin Is Turning Blue
  • You Have Extreme Nausea Or Vomiting
  • You Are Having Trouble Breathing
  • You Feel Confused

This symptom list is not all inclusive but does show some of the more common reactions to even the slightest of exposure. One thing to note is that many allergies can cause very similar symptoms. It is important to have the proper testing done by a qualified doctor or allergist to pinpoint exactly what is causing your problems. Only a trained specialist can look over the results and make a determination. Once you know what you are allergic to it will be easier to avoid a reaction in the future.

How Exactly Can A Latex Allergy Be Detected?

Latex allergies basically come in two different forms, the milder delayed hypersensitivity and the more severe immediate reaction. For the milder reactions, latex preservatives and accelerators are placed right onto the skin to see if a reaction occurs. This test is not done if a more severe allergy is suspected. For those allergies a blood test will likely be used, reducing the chances of the person having a serious reaction during the test to almost none. Should the testing come back positive you will need to be extra careful in the future to avoid any exposure to latex products. This will be especially important during trips to the doctor or hospital where latex rubber gloves are commonly used. You can wear a medical alert bracelet that lets any medical professionals know about your allergies, and even go as far as carry some non latex gloves with you just in case.

Latex allergy symptoms can range from mild to severe and can mimic those of other allergies. The good news about this condition is that by simply not exposing yourself to latex you will reduce the chances of a future reaction to almost nothing. There are also some medications that can be prescribed depending on how severe your symptoms are but this may not be recommended as the side effects are sometimes tough to deal with.