Occurrence of latex
Most people first think of condoms when thinking of products made of latex, but latex is also an ingredient in many other everyday products and can be a source of danger for allergy sufferers. Products containing latex include plasters, elastic bandages, rubber rings, rubber gloves, rubber shoes, erasers, stamp glue, various craft adhesives, bath mats, bathing caps, diving clothes, swimming goggles, rubber mats, carpet backing, gym mats, bicycle and car tires, medical protective and surgical gloves, respiratory masks, catheters, syringes, balloons, condoms and above all chewing gum. The list of potential allergy triggers is therefore long and the life of latex allergy sufferers is accordingly limited.
Furthermore, in connection with a latex allergy there are numerous cross-allergies, i.e. allergies in which the antibodies directed against latex also recognize other substances and thus trigger an allergic reaction. Among the known cross-allergies that can occur in connection with a latex allergy are hypersensitivity to (sub)tropical fruits such as bananas and avocado or to certain indoor plants.Latex allergy sufferers should also be careful when visiting the dentist, because the guttapercha tips used during a root filling can also trigger an allergic reaction. Basically, every latex allergy sufferer should make sure to inform the family doctor, dentist and all other practitioners immediately about the existing allergy and thus prevent the danger of unintentional contact with the allergenic material.
The main part of latex allergies is determined by chance, i.e. by the symptoms. The patient describes to the treating physician which problems he/she feels and in which context this physical reaction occurred. On the basis of these descriptions, the doctor is then able to make the suspected diagnosis of “latex allergy”.
After a blood sample has been taken, the laboratory will search for antibodies against latex (antibody detection/RAST test). This test procedure is problematic because not every person with latex allergy can detect antibodies in the blood. In addition, skin tests provide information about the underlying allergy relatively quickly.
In the so-called prick test, natural latex samples are applied to the back and the skin is then punctured with a needle. If an allergy is present, redness and/or swelling will appear on the treated skin areas after about 10 to 15 minutes. A so-called provocation test, in which the patient is brought into direct contact with the possible allergy trigger for about 20 minutes, is also possible (for example, putting on latex finger cots).
In the case of an allergic reaction to products containing latex, this skin test is not without danger, however, as this is usually an immediate type allergy. This means that body reactions can occur very quickly and the patient may go into allergic shock (anaphylactic shock). For this reason, all possible precautions should be taken before performing a test.
