Latex allergy
Latex Allergy
Latex allergy (pronounced: lay-teks al-er-jee) is a reaction to certain proteins found in natural rubber latex, a product made from the rubber tree. If you have a latex allergy, your body mistakes latex for a harmful substance.
Etymology
The term "latex" is derived from the Latin word "lac," meaning "milk," due to the milky fluid extracted from the rubber tree. The term "allergy" comes from the Greek words "allos," meaning "other," and "ergon," meaning "work."
Symptoms
Latex allergy may cause itchy skin and hives or even anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening condition that can cause throat swelling and severe difficulty breathing. Your doctor can determine if you have a latex allergy or if you're at risk of developing a latex allergy.
Types of Reactions
There are three types of reactions to natural rubber latex:
Diagnosis
If you are allergic to latex, your doctor may perform a skin test to confirm the diagnosis. You may also have a blood test to check for latex sensitivity.
Treatment
There is no cure for latex allergy, so the best treatment is avoidance. For mild reactions, your doctor may prescribe antihistamines or corticosteroids. For more severe reactions, you may need to carry an epinephrine autoinjector (EpiPen).
Prevention
If you have a latex allergy, the best way to prevent an allergic reaction is to avoid latex. Many medical products are made from materials that are not harmful to people with latex allergy.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Latex allergy
- Wikipedia's article - Latex allergy
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