I have limited web access! Someone please look this up for me?

Question

Signs/Symptoms of latex allergy

Answer 1

Here's some stuff I came up with when I ran a search. There is more, but I thought this might be most immediately beneficial:

What are the symptoms of a latex allergy?

When the person has contact with products that contain latex you may see watery or itchy eyes, wheezing, hives, flushing or a skin rash, itching, or swelling. In some cases, severe reactions ("anaphylactic shock") can occur in which the person may have problems breathing, experience chest tightness, or have swelling of his/her throat or tongue. Severe reactions require prompt emergency treatment.
Who is at risk for developing latex allergy?

Some people are more likely to become latex sensitive. These are people who have frequent exposure to latex from medical procedures. This group includes:

* children with spina bifida
* children born with urologic anomalies
* children or adults who have had many surgeries

People who have allergies to certain foods may also have a latex allergy. Both the foods and the latex may have some of the same proteins. Commonly eaten foods which contain some of the same proteins as latex include: bananas, avocados, chestnuts, kiwi, passion fruit, papaya, figs, peaches, nectarines, plums, tomatoes, and celery.

I hope this helps!

Answer 2

Itchy, red, watery eyes
Sneezing or runny nose
Coughing
Rash or hives
Chest tightness and shortness of breath
Shock


Some people who wear latex gloves get bumps, sores, cracks or red, raised areas on their hands. These symptoms usually appear 12 to 36 hours after contact with latex. Changing to non-latex gloves, using glove liners, and paying more attention to hand care can help relieve these symptoms.

A latex-sensitive person can also have a life-threatening allergic reaction with no previous warning or symptoms.

Answer 3

What are the symptoms of latex allergy?

Latex allergy can be mild or severe, with symptoms such as:

* Itchy, red, watery eyes
* Sneezing or runny nose
* Coughing
* Rash or hives
* Chest tightness and shortness of breath
* Shock

Some people who wear latex gloves get bumps, sores, cracks or red, raised areas on their hands. These symptoms usually appear 12 to 36 hours after contact with latex. Changing to non-latex gloves, using glove liners, and paying more attention to hand care can help relieve these symptoms.

A latex-sensitive person can also have a life-threatening allergic reaction with no previous warning or symptoms.

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Who is at risk for latex allergy?

Health care workers and rubber industry workers seem to have the highest risk for latex allergy. Health care workers with hay fever have an especially high chance of developing a latex allergy, as 25 percent of all health care workers with hay fever show signs of being latex sensitized. People also at risk are those who have had many operations, especially in childhood, and people with spina bifida and urologic abnormalities.

Latex products are everywhere. Anyone can become allergic to latex.

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Is there a connection between latex allergy and foods?
Because some proteins in rubber are similar to food proteins, some foods may cause an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to latex. The most common of these foods are banana, avocado, chestnut, kiwi fruit and tomato. Although many other foods can cause an allergic reaction, avoiding all of them might cause nutrition problems. Therefore, it's recommended that you avoid only the foods that have already given you an allergic reaction.

What should I do if I find out I have a latex allergy?

Although there is no treatment for latex allergy, you can reduce your risk of reaction by avoiding direct contact with latex. Take steps to find out which products in your environment contain latex. Then, find substitutes you can use for those products. It's also important to avoid breathing in latex particles from powdered gloves.

If you are a health care worker or a patient, everyone around you should wear powder-free latex gloves or non-latex gloves. If you are a health care worker, compare different kinds of non-latex gloves to find the ones that are best for you.

Always wear or carry a medical alert bracelet, necklace or key chain that warns emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and doctors that you are allergic to latex. Talk to your doctor about getting a prescription for an epinephrine self-injection pen, to use in case of a serious reaction. You may wish to carry non-latex gloves with you all the time for use by emergency personnel if you need medical attention.

If you are exposed to latex at your job, tell your employer and co-workers about your latex allergy. Avoid latex gloves completely if you're not at risk for blood and body fluid contamination. Use powder-free gloves if latex gloves are preferable. These measures will help keep others from becoming allergic to latex.