Latex Allergy Testing & Treatment in St. Louis

What Causes Latex Allergy?

A latex allergy occurs when your immune system reacts to latex exposure. Latex allergy can occur by way of direct skin contact or by inhalation. Direct contact is the most common form of exposure, occurring when you touch latex-containing products, including latex gloves, balloons, or condoms. Latex products, especially gloves, can also release latex particles into the air, which can then be inhaled, triggering an allergic reaction. The more times you are exposed to latex, the more strongly your immune system is likely to respond. This is called sensitization.

It’s also possible to have other skin reactions when using latex products. Chemical additives in latex products can cause allergic contact dermatitis or irritant contact dermatitis, the latter of which is not an allergic response.

See a Latex Allergy Specialist

in St. Louis, Missouri

Who Is At Risk For Latex Allergy

• Due to sensitization, people who undergo multiple surgeries or medical procedures are at an increased risk of latex allergy due to repeated exposure to latex gloves and medical products. Healthcare workers share this risk, as they can be frequently exposed to latex.
• Rubber industry workers often experience frequent exposure to latex, which may increase sensitivity.
• A family history of other allergies, such as hay fever or a food allergy, put you at an increased risk of developing latex allergy.
• The risk of latex allergy is highest in people with spina bifida, a birth defect that affects the development of the spine. People with this disorder are often exposed to latex products through early and frequent health care. People with spina bifida should always avoid latex products.

Latex Allergy List

• Rubber household gloves
• Balloons
• Erasers
• Elastic in clothing
• Rubber balls
• Bandages (adhesives)
• Foam mattresses and pillows
• Rubber bands
• Condoms and diaphragms
• Medical gloves
• Dental products (wedges, orthodontic rubber bands)
• Catheters

This is only a fraction of the items that may contain latex. If you are experiencing allergic reactions from an unknown source, you may want to take stock of the many items that you’ve been exposed to recently.

Latex Allergy Food List

Individuals with latex allergy can sometimes have reactions to certain fruits and vegetables that contain proteins that are structured similarly to latex. These foods are called latex cross-reactive foods. Latex cross-reactive food allergies occur in roughly 30-50% of people with latex allergy. These allergic reactions can occur after eating, touching, or smelling cross-reactive foods.

These foods have a high cross-reactivity with latex, meaning that individuals with a latex allergy are more likely to experience allergic reactions when exposed to these foods:

• Banana
• Chestnut
• Avocado
• Kiwi

The foods below have moderate cross-reactivity with latex. While individuals with latex allergy are less likely to experience allergic reactions to these foods than the foods above, allergic reactions are still possible.

• Apple
• Tomato
• Potato
• Carrot
• Celery
• Melons
• Papaya

Several other foods have low or undetermined cross-reactivity with latex, including many common fruits, vegetables, shellfish, nuts, and seeds not listed above.

See a Latex Allergy Specialist

in St. Louis, Missouri

Latex Allergy Symptoms

• Itching
• Skin redness
• Hives or rash
• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Wheezing
• Cough
• Itchy, watery eyes
• Scratchy throat
• Difficulty breathing

Latex allergy is often discovered in specific situations. Common latex exposure scenarios include:

• Itchy, red, or swollen skin after using a bandage and/or latex gloves
• Swelling or itching of the mouth or tongue after a dentist uses latex gloves
• Itching or swelling after vaginal or rectal exams
• Itching or swelling after using a condom or diaphragm
• Itchy or swollen lips after blowing up a balloon

When your latex allergy is especially severe, it’s possible to experience anaphylaxis upon exposure. Anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that’s characterized by
difficult breathing, hives or swelling, nausea and vomiting, wheezing, drop in blood pressure, dizziness, loss of consciousness, confusion, and/or rapid or weak pulse. If you’re experiencing a severe allergic reaction, you should go to the nearest emergency room immediately.

Latex Allergy Tests

The first step to overcoming a latex allergy is to receive a proper diagnosis from a specialist. Dr. Cajigal will help you identify exactly what you’re allergic to using your medical history and a combination of the latex allergy tests outlined below.

Skin Testing

Blood Testing

See a Latex Allergy Specialist

in St. Louis, Missouri

Latex Allergy Treatment

Avoiding Latex Allergies

The most important part of managing latex allergies is to avoid ingestion and other forms of latex exposure. These tips can help you avoid latex and keep reactions under control:

• If you have trouble breathing when you are around latex, stay away from areas where powdered gloves are used and avoid all direct contact with latex.
• Ask doctors, dentists, and other health care workers to use latex-free gloves and products. Note that most healthcare workers now use vinyl, nitrile gloves, or synthetic latex. Synthetic latex gloves do not contain natural latex, and therefore do not trigger latex allergy.
• If you must wear gloves yourself, avoid latex.
• Check labels to make sure products do not contain latex. Do not assume hypoallergenic products are latex free.
• Latex condoms can cause serious latex allergic reactions. If either partner has a latex allergy, synthetic rubber condoms are the best choice.
• Latex balloons have also been known to cause serious reactions in individuals with a latex allergy. Avoid direct contact, especially blowing up balloons. If you have trouble breathing when exposed to latex or powdered latex, you should be cautious when entering enclosed spaces containing rubber balloons, such as in parties or when used as decorations.

Of course, there are several other situations where latex exposure is possible. Visit us at St. Louis Family Allergy to get a personalized latex allergy treatment plan that accounts for the unique aspects of your daily life.

Latex Allergy Medications

Emergency Action Plan for Latex Allergy

If your latex allergy is severe, we recommend informing your family, employer, school personnel and healthcare providers about your latex allergy. Carry an EPI-pen with you at all times, and teach others close to you how to use it in the event of an emergency. You may also choose to wear a bracelet that identifies your allergy and alerts others in the event of a severe reaction.

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