Latex allergy is an allergy to natural rubber. Latex is a natural product and is produced from the sap of the Hevea (Hevea brasiliensis). Therefore there are natural proteins in rubber, where people sometimes can be allergic to. Latex Allergy is a type 1 allergy: the immediate type. Symptoms occur within minutes to an hour after contact, and can include redness, itching, hives, angioedema, asthma, and in severe cases, symptoms of anaphylaxis: drop in blood pressure and shock.
Epidemiology
Latex allergy was discovered in the 80s, and until the mid-90s greatly increased in frequency. Especially among health personnel is the common. These trends are explained by the increase in the use of gloves by the AIDS epidemic. It also made many gloves made of poor quality. Gloves were often powdered. This powder become "polluted" with latex. Inhaled powder creates exposure of mucous membranes. Probably this is an important route through which people have become allergic. Now, powdered gloves, and more often less gloves of other materials (vinyl, nitrile, PVC) are used, and fewer people are allergic to latex.
Also develop people with spina bifida often a latex allergy.
Diagnosis
In the blood can IgE against latex are shown. Prick testing are slightly more reliable, but are also slightly riskier.
The only treatment is avoiding contact with natural rubber. Synthetic rubber (neoprene) is well tolerated.
Rubber allergy
Latex allergy is different rubber allergy. Here exists a type 4 allergy (delayed type). Complaints arising after 1-2 days, and consists of eczema: itching, redness, blisters. Rubberallegie can be caused by all kinds of additives, which are used in the manufacture of rubber, such as thiuram, carbamates and benzothiazoles.
Epidemiology
Latex allergy was discovered in the 80s, and until the mid-90s greatly increased in frequency. Especially among health personnel is the common. These trends are explained by the increase in the use of gloves by the AIDS epidemic. It also made many gloves made of poor quality. Gloves were often powdered. This powder become "polluted" with latex. Inhaled powder creates exposure of mucous membranes. Probably this is an important route through which people have become allergic. Now, powdered gloves, and more often less gloves of other materials (vinyl, nitrile, PVC) are used, and fewer people are allergic to latex.
Also develop people with spina bifida often a latex allergy.
Diagnosis
In the blood can IgE against latex are shown. Prick testing are slightly more reliable, but are also slightly riskier.
Latex allergy treatment
The only treatment is avoiding contact with natural rubber. Synthetic rubber (neoprene) is well tolerated.
Rubber allergy
Latex allergy is different rubber allergy. Here exists a type 4 allergy (delayed type). Complaints arising after 1-2 days, and consists of eczema: itching, redness, blisters. Rubberallegie can be caused by all kinds of additives, which are used in the manufacture of rubber, such as thiuram, carbamates and benzothiazoles.