The main ailment that is increasingly affecting modern humanity is allergy. Contact with absolutely any substance can cause an inadequate reaction of the body. It is far from always possible to recognize in time when an allergy to latex began. Products from this material are used in the field of medicine, in everyday life, in the production of barrier contraception methods. Let us consider in more detail the causes, characteristic symptoms and methods of getting rid of the pathological phenomenon.
Causes of an allergic reaction
The response of the immune system to the effects of the stimulus is considered quite normal. But in some cases, the body can malfunction and react incorrectly to completely harmless substances. For example, a huge number of people suffer from allergies to animal hair, pollen from plants. Moreover, the disease does not always occur from birth. In the absence of proper treatment, such a seemingly frivolous disease can cause serious complications.
Allergy to latex is somewhat less common. Statistics say that no more than 10% of people face a similar problem. Therefore, it is far from always possible to immediately determine the true cause of the development of a pathological phenomenon.
The immune system of allergy sufferers perceives the protein contained in latex as a pathogenic substance from which the body needs to be protected. This provokes an increased production of IgE immunoglobulins - antibodies that can fight allergens.
What is latex?
Rubber tree milk is used to make rubber, or, as they say, latex. This flexible, durable and hygienic material is used in the chemical industry to produce a wide variety of products. This material is in demand in the production of medical gloves, droppers, baby nipples, swimming circles, clothing, plasters, bedding and other popular household items.
Risk group
Medical workers are most likely to be allergic to latex. Due to their duty, they are forced to use gloves, tows, droppers, in contact with which an allergic reaction occurs. Often suffer from the disease and people working in enterprises manufacturing rubber products. The more experience in this area, the higher the risk of allergies.
In addition to this category of people, at risk are people who have the following medical history:
- allergic reactions in the form of bronchial asthma, dermatitis;
- bone marrow disease;
- food allergy;
- abnormal structure of the urinary tract and bladder;
- a large number of surgical interventions in history;
- the need to install a urinary catheter.
Allergy to latex in women has the same symptoms as those of the stronger sex. However, women still face this problem much more often. When cleaning the premises, they use latex gloves, which, in close contact with the skin on the hands, can provoke the development of an inadequate reaction of the immune system.
What is the relationship between food allergies and intolerance to rubber milk tree milk products? The thing is that some products contain protein, which is also available in latex. It is this substance that is the main cause of the appearance of pathology. Cherries, tomatoes, kiwi, figs, peaches, potatoes, avocados, nuts - allergen products.
How is allergy manifested?
The human body can respond differently to latex. However, allergists warn that the signs of this type of pathology are the same as other types of allergies, but the consequences can be much worse (in the absence of proper and timely medical care).
The severity of the clinical picture of the disease depends on several factors: the patient's age, general health, duration of contact with the stimulus. Skin reactions are the main symptoms that cause latex allergy. Symptoms in the form of rashes and redness on the skin, itching, the appearance of wounds and cracks indicate the development of dermatitis. Upon initial contact with the allergen, the picture of the disease may be less clear and will be limited to only slight redness of the skin and peeling. Such symptoms usually go away quickly.
If you inhale the substances used to make latex products, the signs of allergies will be more severe. Heart palpitations, hypotension, an attack of asthmatic cough, shortness of breath are symptoms in which the patient will need urgent help from specialists. In the rarest cases, swelling of the face, neck, lips (Quincke's edema) and anaphylactic shock can be observed. An allergy to latex (photo above) should be stopped on time.
Symptoms in women
By acting on the mucous membranes, latex provokes the appearance of wounds and ulcers, burning sensations. Similar symptoms occur in women using barrier methods to prevent pregnancy. Itching and redness of the skin upon contact with both underwear and socks (in the gum area) can also indicate the presence of pathology.
Does the disease occur in children?
Can there be an allergy to latex in a child? According to the data obtained as a result of research, the rubber tree milk juice used to make nipples, soothers and other products for babies is a powerful allergen and often causes the symptoms characteristic of the disease.
In babies of the first year of life, the pathology manifests itself under the guise of a cold, and is accompanied by sneezing, lacrimation, nasal congestion. Often skin reactions occur (itching, redness, swelling of the tissues). In the zone of high probability of the development of the disease are children who have a history of a similar diagnosis.
Diagnostics
In order to determine which substance is the allergen, special tests are performed. Allergic tests are usually prescribed after the first manifestation of characteristic symptoms. It is recommended that you consult a doctor if there are signs of food allergy to those products that have peptides that are similar in structure to rubber proteins.
Only laboratory diagnostics can accurately determine the type of stimulus that causes a negative reaction of the immune system. Before you go to the doctor, you need to remember in which situation there was contact with latex. Perhaps the symptoms appeared after visiting the manipulation room in the clinic, after intercourse.
Latex allergy confirmed by skin tests and blood tests for immunoglobulin. The first method involves applying a small piece of latex to the skin. Because there are a large number of mast cells on the epidermis, the reaction to the stimulus will not take long. The specialist will evaluate the reaction visually.
Latex allergy: treatment
Get rid of the pathology will only work out completely if contact with the allergen is excluded. If this is not done, the symptoms of the disease will reappear. For the quick relief of an allergic attack, the use of drugs from the antihistamine group will be required. Modern antiallergic drugs do not cause side effects in the form of drowsiness and a decrease in concentration.
Effective systemic medicines are:
- "Levocyterisin."
- "Desloratadine."
- "Erius."
- Lordestine.
- Suprastinex.
- Telfast.
Hormone-based medicines are stronger. Glucocorticoids of systemic effects should be used if other treatment options do not give a positive result. These drugs are analogues of hormones that are produced in the adrenal cortex and are responsible for controlling allergic reactions and inflammatory processes.
In the acute course of an allergic reaction, the patient will need droppers and other procedures provided in the hospital. For children, antihistamines in the right dosages can only be prescribed by a doctor.
Allergy Ointments
If there is a skin allergy to latex, what should I do in this case? It is important to start treatment immediately after the appearance of redness, peeling and rash. Otherwise, there is a huge risk of getting more serious problems with the skin, up to the development of the infectious process.
To eliminate dermatitis, topical preparations in the form of ointments will help. Of course, they can be used only after the appointment of an allergist. Because in their composition such preparations may contain hormones. These are stronger drugs that can suppress the production of specific antibodies.
Ointments based on prednisone and hydrocortisone are considered the safest and can be used to treat babies up to 2 years old and women during pregnancy. However, they help only with a mild allergic reaction.
If, for example, there is a severe allergy to latex gloves, it is recommended to use moderate exposure agents. It can be a Tsinakort ointment or Afloderm ointment. Such drugs as Advantan, Sinalar, Elokom will help to quickly stop the symptoms of a pathological phenomenon.
Non-hormonal ointments
This group of medicines is safer, unlike hormonal drugs. Many drugs are suitable for prescribing to children, including infants. To relieve inflammation in allergic dermatitis, Elidel cream is used. The manufacturer allows children to prescribe it from the age of three months. The drug can cause (at the initial stage of treatment) a worsening of allergy symptoms.
The Bepanten remedy is popular. Ointment accelerates the healing process of the skin, eliminates inflammation and itching.
If an adult is allergic to latex after using gloves or clothing made from this material, rashes and redness can be eliminated with the help of drugs such as Levomekol, Panthenol, Solcoseryl, and Fenistil Gel.
Recommendations
Even in the absence of hypersensitivity to products made from milk sap of rubber tree, there is a risk of allergies with constant contact with them. Avoid this fate when replacing household items from latex on products that do not contain in the composition of this substance. For example, latex teats for babies are easily replaced with silicone. Latex gloves for cleaning the house are more convenient than polyethylene gloves, but the second option will not cause allergies.