Re: Latex AllergyWhat Is It?

March 22, 2008

WOW,what a find, I think everyone should read this very closely.

--- In , " tigerpaw2c " <tigerpaw2c@...>

wrote:

>

> This was sent to me by one of our members to post.

>

> Latex Allergy What Is It?

> Medical content reviewed by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical

School

>

> http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/9339/10248.html

>

> Symptoms

> Diagnosis

> Prevention

> Treatment

> When To Call a Professional

> Prognosis

> Additional Info

>

> What Is It?

>

> A latex allergy is a hypersensitivity to latex, which is a natural

> substance made of the milky sap of the rubber tree. Latex allergies

> arise when the immune system, which normally guards the body

against

> bacteria, viruses and toxins, also reacts to latex. In any type of

> allergy, when the immune system reacts against an otherwise

harmless

> substance, the substance is called an allergen. In the case of

latex

> allergies, there are two possible allergens. The first is a

chemical

> additive used in the manufacturing process. This allergen commonly

> causes allergy among people who wear latex gloves to do their daily

> work. The second allergen is a protein in the latex itself.

>

> When the immune system detects the allergen, a type of antibody

> named immunoglobulin E (IgE) is produced, triggering the release of

> chemicals within the body. One chemical is histamine. Histamine is

> partly responsible for the redness, itching and swelling that can

> occur in the skin during an allergic reaction, and it produces

> symptoms of hives; rashes; a runny nose; and watery, swollen eyes.

> Histamine can also lead to breathing difficulties and a severe

> allergic reaction called anaphylaxis that can include a sudden drop

> in blood pressure, an increase in pulse, and tissue swelling.

>

> Latex is a flexible, elastic and relatively inexpensive material

> used in a number of healthcare and consumer products. Because it

> forms an effective barrier against infectious organisms, latex is

> used to make hospital and medical items, such as surgical and

> examination gloves and some parts of anesthetic tubing, ventilation

> bags, respiratory tubing and intravenous (IV) lines. In addition,

it

> is used in making countless consumer products, including balloons,

> condoms, diaphragms, rubber gloves, tennis shoe soles, nipples for

> baby bottles and pacifiers, toys, rubber hoses, and tires. Seven

> million metric tons of latex are used in manufacturing each year.

>

> There are two forms of latex allergies. The first involves an

> immunological reaction, not to the latex itself, but to the

chemical

> additives used in the manufacturing process. This type of allergy

> usually is seen in people who wear latex gloves regularly as part

of

> their work. The second type of reaction, recognized only since the

> late 1970s, involves a reaction to the plant proteins in the latex

> itself.

>

> As the use of latex products increases, so does the incidence of

> latex allergies. With the AIDS epidemic and increased precautions,

> latex examination gloves are used routinely when handling body

> fluids. Today, anyone who might come into contact with a person's

> body fluids wears protective gloves. As a result, health care

> workers are at increased risk of developing a hypersensitivity to

> latex products.

>

> In addition to workers whose occupations expose them to latex,

> people who undergo repeated surgical procedures can develop latex

> allergies. For example, children born with the birth defect called

> spina bifida are usually exposed repeatedly to latex products

> because they need a series of medical and surgical procedures.

About

> 50% of children with spina bifida develop a latex allergy.

>

> People can become sensitized to latex as a result of direct contact

> with natural rubber products. Inhaling latex particles is a common

> way for health care workers to become sensitized to latex. Many

> medical gloves are coated with cornstarch to make them easier to

> pull on and off. Cornstarch absorbs the latex proteins and then

> carries them into the air where they can be inhaled.

>

> Symptoms

>

> As with any type of allergy, the first exposure to latex allergens

> usually does not cause any reaction. However, this first exposure

> can sensitize the immune system to the allergen, which can cause

> symptoms after later exposures.

>

> When the sensitivity is to a chemical additive used in

manufacturing

> rubber latex, the reaction typically occurs one to two days after

> exposure and usually involves a form of contact dermatitis, a rash

> that resembles poison ivy. The skin is usually red, cracked and

> blistered. When the sensitivity is to the latex protein, more

> serious symptoms can occur within minutes of exposure. Symptoms

> include hives, runny nose (allergic rhinitis) and allergic asthma.

> In rare instances, this type of allergy can cause anaphylaxis, a

> severe allergic reaction that can include a sudden drop in blood

> pressure, an increase in pulse, difficulty breathing and tissue

> swelling. Without prompt and proper treatment, anaphylaxis can lead

> to unconsciousness and, rarely, death.

>

> Diagnosis

>

> Your doctor may suspect that your symptoms are related to a latex

> sensitivity if you have a history of exposure followed rapidly by

> the appearance of symptoms. If you have other allergies and

allergic

> conditions, you may be more susceptible to latex allergy. Examples

> of allergic conditions are asthma, hay fever and eczema (atopic

> dermatitis). There also seems to be a link between latex allergies

> and allergies to certain foods: avocados, bananas, kiwi,

pineapples,

> tomatoes and chestnuts.

>

> Along with your exposure history, a blood test called RAST can help

> to determine your sensitivity to latex. The RAST measures the

amount

> of latex-associated IgE antibodies in your blood. Skin testing for

> latex allergy also can be done. In some cases, challenge tests with

> latex products are used to confirm the diagnosis. In a challenge

> test, you stay away from the suspected allergen for a period, then

> are exposed to the substance to see if you develop symptoms.

>

> Prevention

>

> The best way to prevent any type of allergy is to avoid exposure.

> With latex allergies, that means using gloves not made of latex for

> dishwashing or other chores, refraining from blowing up balloons,

> avoiding rubber bands and using condoms made of materials other

than

> latex. You also should tell your health care providers so that they

> can avoid exposing you to products that contain latex. But if you

> work in the health care field, avoiding latex can be trickier. Many

> medical products contain latex. Although you may not be able to

> avoid latex completely, you may be able to limit the use of latex

> products and find products that are less irritating.

>

> The amount of latex allergens shed by different types of gloves,

for

> example, varies tremendously. Some contain less of the chemical

> additives that have been shown to cause skin sensitivity. A number

> of successful lawsuits involving latex reactions have prompted many

> manufacturers to change the way they make latex products. Because

> latex gloves that are powdered with cornstarch appear to cause the

> most problems, using gloves that are not powdered may help to

> prevent reactions.

>

> Treatment

>

> The most important treatment for occupational latex allergies is to

> avoid repeat exposures, because repeated exposures can increase

> sensitivity. People with latex allergy may need to be reassigned to

> different work duties or may need to change occupations.

>

> Once you have a reaction to latex, treatment depends on the type

and

> severity of your reaction. An antihistamine can block the actions

of

> histamine, so an antihistamine can decrease itching and swelling.

> Corticosteroid drugs, which are powerful anti-inflammatory agents,

> are used for more severe symptoms. These are available as tablets,

> nasal or bronchial sprays or topical creams. Although

corticosteroid

> medications can be very effective against allergic reactions, they

> can produce serious side effects when used in high dosages or over

> long periods. Your doctor will weigh the benefits against the risks

> of side effects, using corticosteroids in the lowest dose that

works

> for you if you need them.

>

> Anaphylaxis, the most serious allergic reaction, can cause blood

> vessels to dilate and air passages of the lungs to narrow, leading

> to wheezing, breathing difficulties and a drop in blood pressure.

In

> the most severe cases, loss of consciousness and death can occur.

> Anaphylaxis requires an emergency injection of epinephrine

> (adrenaline) and treatment with intravenous fluids.

>

> If you have a latex allergy, consider carrying an emergency

> epinephrine kit.

>

> When To Call a Professional

>

> If you suspect a latex allergy, you need a medical evaluation.

>

> If you experience difficulty breathing, a rapid pulse, facial

> swelling or dizziness, contact your doctor or go to an emergency

> room at once. These symptoms could signal anaphylaxis, which

> requires emergency treatment.

>

> Prognosis

>

> With prompt, appropriate treatment, most people recover completely

> from an allergic reaction to latex. In rare cases, an allergic

> reaction to latex can be severe, leading to anaphylaxis and death.

> If latex is strictly avoided, the allergy reaction will not occur.

>

> Additional Info

>

> American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI)

> 555 East Wells St.

> Suite 1100

> Milwaukee, WI 53202-3823

> Phone: 414-272-6071

> Toll-Free: 1-800-822-2762

> E-Mail: info@...

> http://www.aaaai.org/

>

> National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

> 4676 Columbia Parkway

> Mail Stop C-18

> Cincinnati, OH 45226

> Toll-Free: 1-800-356-4674

> Fax: 513-533-8573

> http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/

>

> Last updated March 22, 2007

>

March 22, 2008

GEE,any one here get these symptoms of anaphylaxis that test negitive

to mold allergies?