There is a “new” allergy that is affecting approximately 3 million people in the US: latex. It’s due to sensitivity to the proteins that are found in latex and worsens with repeated exposure.

The Truth about Latex

When you hear the world latex what comes to mind? If you are like most people you think about medical gloves and condoms. Those two products are only the tip of iceberg. It’s found in hundreds and thousands of products. Some of those products include food items and health and beauty items.

What is the Allergic Reaction Like?

Some of the most common symptoms include the following:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Anaphylaxis
• Difficulty breathing or asthma
• Sore joints and muscles
• Vertigo
• Dizziness

A person that has an immediate reaction needs to know it can possibly turn into something fatal. A person with can have a reaction within minutes of exposure. Usually the person will break out in hives and that can lead to shortness of breath and tightness in the throat which can very quickly lead to the anaphylaxis and then death. In most cases the exposure requires the person actually touch the product containing latex, however there are those people that are very sensitive and breathing the air where there are latex products or taking a pill that was in a bottle made of latex can trigger a reaction.

Who is at Risk?

The truth is anyone can develop latex allergies. However, there are some professions that are more susceptible than others due to the amount of exposure. Those professions include the following:

• Nurses
• Doctors
• Health care professionals
• Chefs
• Waiters
• Food prep personnel
• Firefighters
• Police officers
• Military personnel
• Factory workers

Hydrocortisone cream and an allergy medicine should be taken right away to help reduce itchiness and get rid of hives. Cold water can also help alleviate redness and itchiness as it constricts the blood vessels.

Make People Aware

It’s important a person with a latex allergy wear a medical alert necklace. In case of an emergency the last thing you want is for someone that is trying to save your life to accidentally cause you to die because they used a latex based product on you and sent you in to anaphylaxis shock.

RECOMMENDED latex allergy relief RESOURCES