Latex Allergy

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Latex allergy is an allergic reaction to the protein contents in the milky sap of the  Hevea brasiliensis rubber tree. Latex allergy is known as natural rubber allergy too.

Latex allergy usually develops after repeated exposure to medical and consumer products which contains natural rubber latex.

Allergy to latex may have a serious health risk to:   

• healthcare workers like doctors, nurses etc.
• spina bifida patients .
• workers with occupational exposure to latex.
• patients with multiple surgeries .

• While latex allergy is uncommon, affecting 1 to 6 percent of the general population, it is much commoner in employees who work in the medical or dental field.  

• By estimate, 10-17 percent of healthcare workers and 33.8 percent of dental care workers have been diagnosed with latex allergy. Also, 17 percent of restaurant employees have been diagnosed with latex allergy. 

• People who go through multiple surgeries – like spina bifida patients – are also at increased susceptibility to latex allergy.  

There are 3 types of reactions to natural rubber products.

• IgE-mediated allergic reaction (Type I)
• allergic contact dermatitis (Type IV)
• Irritant contact dermatitis.

An IgE-mediated allergic reaction to latex may be life threatening. IgE-mediated reactions might be serious and what people are most concerned about preventing it from occurence. This response is caused by an allergic antibody IgE, directed against proteins in latex products

This reaction may be triggered by:  

• direct skin contact of patient. 
• mucosal surface contact (eyes, nose, mouth, etc.) 
• inhaling latex particles through respiratory tract.

• Cell-mediated contact dermatitis is an allergic type contact dermatitis. A Type IV cell-mediated reaction is not always life-threatening but it is still a gross concern. 
• This variety of contact dermatitis is a delayed type immune reaction type 4. Symptoms may take 24-48 hours to occur from the time of exposure to antigen.  
• If someone is repeatedly exposed with a Type IV reaction, the rash may develop into a long term problem and might even extend beyond the site of contact.  

Manifestations of Type IV allergic contact dermatitis reactions are limited to the skin:  

• a red rash over skin
• papules – an eruption in the skin that is solid and can be colored – multiple papules together appear as a rash
• vesiculation – a blister-type rash oozing in nature

• People who use rubber products frequently (for example, healthcare workers) may develop irritant dermatitis.
• This dermatitis is different from allergic contact dermatitis. It's not mediated by an immune system sensitization and reaction. As, it is caused by repeated skin washing, sweating and/or irritation from powder lubricants.  
• This rash might be itchy, but mostly is dry, reddish, and associated by skin cracking. There are very rarely papules, vesiculation or oozing of the skin. It never extends beyond the site of contact with the offending irritant.