Latex Allergy

A latex allergy is a reaction to natural rubber latex, a substance that comes from the sap of the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis). It can cause skin irritation like itching, rash or hives, or allergy symptoms like a runny nose and watery eyes. These reactions can get worse with additional exposures to latex.

Allergies happen when your immune system mistakenly thinks something is harmful and then tries to protect your body from it. People with latex allergies can have an allergic reaction when they inhale latex particles or come into physical contact with latex.

Common products made with natural rubber latex include medical exam gloves, balloons, elastic used in clothing and condoms. Reactions to latex can range from mild to severe and can even be fatal. If you or someone you know have severe swelling or can’t breathe, call 911 or go to the emergency room.

Types of latex allergy

Types of reactions to latex include:

IgE-mediated latex allergy (type I hypersensitivity): If you have a type I latex allergy, you’re allergic to a protein from the natural rubber tree. During an IgE-mediated allergic reaction, your body’s immune system overreacts to a substance (like latex) that isn’t harmful. This causes allergy symptoms like a runny nose and itchy eyes. IgE-mediated latex allergies can cause life-threatening anaphylaxis.
Contact dermatitis: Contact dermatitis is a red, itchy rash you can get after using latex products. An allergy to the chemicals used to make latex products, rather than the proteins in rubber, can cause this type of contact dermatitis (also called cell-mediated or type IV dermatitis). These reactions can take a few hours to a day or two to start. You can also have a skin reaction to latex that’s not a true allergy (irritation contact dermatitis). People with contact dermatitis can also develop an IgE-mediated latex allergy.

What does a latex allergy look like?

Contact dermatitis from latex can make your skin red, swollen and itchy. You might get hives or a rash on your skin. Or latex allergies can cause symptoms of allergic rhinitis (hay fever), like sneezing, a runny nose and red, itchy eyes.

Symptoms

When to see a doctor

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Complications

Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.

The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:

High blood pressure.
Diabetes.
Heart failure.
Some types of heart valve disease.

Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:

Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Don't smoke or use tobacco.
Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Reduce and manage stress.

By Freedmans Health Clinic Staff

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