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Latex Allergie


Latex Allergy
Contents
What is latex?
What is latex allergy?
What causes latex allergy?
What are the symptoms of latex allergy?
How is latex allergy diagnosed?
Who can develop latex allergy?
How common is latex allergy?
How can latex allergy be treated?
Practical Issues:
What is the outlook for people with latex allergy?
Are there any support groups for latex allergy?
This leaflet explains about latex allergy, how you can find out which products contain latex and what to expect when you come to Great Ormond Street Hospital for testing and treatment.
What is latex?
Latex comes from the sap of the tropical rubber tree (Hevea Brasiliensis). The sap is processed and used in many products we use every day.
What is latex allergy?
Some people are allergic to the protein in latex which is the substance that makes latex so elastic. Therefore, products which are stretchy, like balloons and gloves, are more likely to cause an allergic reaction than products which are solid, like car tyres.
What causes latex allergy?
Coming into contact with tiny amounts of the latex protein causes the body to have an allergic reaction. Some latex gloves used in hospitals are coated with powder to make them easier to put on and take off. When gloves are taken off, the powder (which contains particles of latex protein) stays in the air for a while afterwards. Therefore, some people do not need to come into direct contact with a latex product to have a reaction.
What are the symptoms of latex allergy?
The symptoms vary from person to person. People with a latex allergy can develop symptoms immediately after being in contact with latex. However, some people have a delayed reaction which is more likely to be an itchy rash. These people are more likely to be allergic to other substances in rubber production rather than the latex itself.
The degree of allergic reaction varies from person to person. Some people may have a mild reaction to latex, which might include itchy eyes, sneezing or a runny nose, or an itchy rash, while other people may have a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. There is more information about anaphylaxis available in a separate leaflet.
How is latex allergy diagnosed?
A person is likely to be allergic to latex if they have a reaction occurring within half an hour of coming into contact with latex. Your doctor will probably confirm this using a skin prick test or a blood test which examines the number of antibodies in a small sample of blood.
Who can develop latex allergy?
Anyone can develop an allergy to latex, but it is more common in people who are exposed to latex regularly. It would seem that people with hay fever who are also in contact with latex regularly have an even higher risk of developing an allergy to latex. People who are in contact with latex products on a regular basis include health care workers, people who work in the rubber industry and people who have had a lot of operations, especially during childhood. People with spina bifida and problems with their urinary system are also at a higher risk of developing latex allergy due to the number of medical products containing latex they use to manage their condition. People who are allergic to certain foods may also be at risk of developing latex allergy. These foods include: bananas, avocados, kiwi fruit, mangoes, chestnuts, potatoes and tomatoes. These particular foods contain similar proteins to those found in latex.
How common is latex allergy?
The actual number of people with latex allergy in the UK is not known, but is growing. Studies here suggest that about 40% of patients at Great Ormond Street Hospital have antibodies to latex, especially children with spina bifida or children who undergo multiple operations. Our research suggests that up to half of the remaining patients are at risk of reactions to latex. More people are being exposed to latex proteins which may explain the increase.
How can latex allergy be treated?
There is no cure for latex allergy as unfortunately at present it is not possible to desensitise people with latex allergy.
Practical Issues:
People with latex allergy should avoid products containing latex. This will prevent their symptoms getting any worse. There are many lists of products containing latex available but as a general guide, you should try to avoid:
In most cases, there are alternative products you can use. For instance, foil balloons are fine for a child with latex allergy. Latex-free condoms are widely available in most chemists.
If you are allergic to latex, it is important that you wear a MedicAlert bracelet or necklace. These are pieces of jewellery containing a telephone number which any doctor can ring to find out about your medical conditions. This avoids you being mistakenly treated using products containing latex. Your medical records at Great Ormond Street Hospital, your local hospital, your dentist and your GP should also have a sticker on the front saying you are allergic to latex.
If you are highly allergic to latex, it may be worth carrying a set of sterile latex-free gloves, especially if you are travelling away from home. Hospitals and doctors in the UK are becoming more aware of latex allergy, but unfortunately the same may not be true of health care abroad.
If you suffer severe reactions to latex, that is, anaphylaxis, a doctor may recommend for you to always carry a pre-loaded adrenaline (epinephrine) syringe. More details about this are available in our leaflet on anaphylaxis.
What is the outlook for people with latex allergy?
If the suggestions above are followed, there is no reason why someone with latex allergy should not have a full and enjoyable life.
Are there any support groups for latex allergy?
There are many support groups for people with allergies and anaphylaxis.
You can order MedicAlert bracelets from:
MedicAlert,
1 Bridge Wharf, 156 Caledonian Road, London N1 9UU
Tel: 020 7833 3034 Freephone: 0800 581 420
The Latex Allergy Support group
The secretary, PO Box 27, Filey YO14 9YH
Helpline: (07071) 225838 (7-10pm)
Latex Allergy Specific:
A.L.E.R.T. Inc
(American Latex Allergy Association)
www.latexallergyresources.org
Canadian Latex Allergy Association
www.claa.tripod.com
E.L.A.S.T.I.C. Inc.
(Education for Latex Allergy/Support Tean & Information Coalition) www.latex-allergy.org
L.A.I.V.e.V.
(latexallergie-Informations-Vereinignung)
www.laiv.de/home.htm
Potomac Latex Allergy Association
www.angelfire.com/md/plaa
P.A.L.S.
(Physicians Against Latex Sensitisation)
www.barbazuckerpinchoff.com/pals
Other Support Groups:
The Skin Care Campaign
www.skincarecampaign.org
The Anaphylaxis Campaign
www.anaphylaxis.org.uk
The National Eczema Society
www.eczema.org
The National Asthma Campaign
www.asthma.org.uk
There is also a lot of information about latex allergy on the Internet:
allergy.mcg.edu/physicians/Itxhome.html
www.theallergyreport.org
www.aaaai.org/ar/working_vol1/011.asp
www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~aair/latex.htm
www.asbah.demon.co.uk/latex.html
www.bda-dentistry.org.uk/factfile/fact17.html
www.jr2.ox.ac.uk/bandolier/bandopubs/NHSSlatex.html
Disclaimer: The mentioning of a particular support group or website does not constitute an endorsement by GOSH.
 
Ref: F040285 © GOSH Trust 2001
Compiled by Dr Louise Michaelis, Allergy Registrar, Department of Immunology, and Beki Moult, Family Resource Program, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust,
This information does not constitute health or medical advice and will not necessarily reflect treatment at other hospitals. If you have any questions, please ask your doctor. No liability can be taken as a result of using this information.