Symptoms Of Allergies

Latex allergy is a chemical reaction that the body has to specific types of proteins that can be found in many type of natural rubber latex and products made with it. Latex is made using a milky fluid that has been taken from the rubber tree that grows in Southeast Asia and Africa.

The way that your body responds to the latex will depend on how hard the body is trying to fight it off. The symptoms of latex allergy can be as minimal as a runny nose or as serious as an anaphylaxis shock. It is up to you to make an appointment with your doctor and have them perform an allergy test. This will help you to know how serious the allergy it and what reaction you will have to it.

Symptoms of a Latex Allergy

Most people will start to feel the affects and symptoms after they have touched the latex that is in rubber gloves. This is because it is the most common product that uses this substance.

Irritant Contact Dermatitis

This is a common reaction when you wear latex gloves and may not mean that you have an allergy. For most people it is caused when you sweat or irritating the skin in anyway while wearing them. It is a rash that can make the skin dry, red, and cracked.

Allergy Contact Dermatitis

This is the reaction to the skin that can be seen when you are allergic to latex or any of the chemical additives that are used to make it. Many people will have an allergic reaction and have a skin rash within 24 to 48 hours after the skin has made contact. It will begin on the sections of the skin that has touched the latex – but can travel to other areas. More severe reaction can cause blisters.

Hypersensitivity Immune Response

This is a response in the immune system that will occur when the immune system is reacting badly to the proteins that can be found in natural rubber latex. Someone who is suffering from something like this will have an immediate reaction which can cause itching, swelling, wheezing, and sneezing.

Airborne Articles

There are some people who will have a sensitivity to latex particles that are being carried through the air. This can cause a stuffy nose, cough, rash, watery and itch eyes, and hard when breathing.

Anaphylactic Shock

This is the most serious reaction that anyone can have to an allergy and can be fatal if not treated immediately. Someone with this problem will immediately go into shock immediately when they have been exposed to it. This will cause their blood pressure to drop and most people will become dizzy.

They will also experience:

• Wheezing
• Confusion
• Weak pulse
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Slurred speech
• Blue tint in the skin