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 contraceptive 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 exposure to an irritant is considered quite normal. But in some cases, the body can fail, and react incorrectly to completely harmless substances. For example, a huge number of people suffer from allergies to animal hair, plant pollen. Moreover, the disease does not always manifest itself from birth. In the absence of proper treatment, such a seemingly frivolous disease can cause serious complications.
Slightly rarerallergic to latex. 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 increased production of IgE immunoglobulins - antibodies that can fight allergens.
What is latex?
The milky liquid from the rubber tree is used to produce rubber, or, as they say, latex. This elastic, durable and hygienic material is used in the chemical industry for the production of a wide variety of products. This material is in demand in the production of medical gloves, droppers, baby nipples, swim rings, garments, plasters, bedding and other popular household items.
Risk group
The he alth workers most susceptible to latex allergies. On duty, they are forced to use gloves, tourniquets, droppers, on contact with which an allergic reaction occurs. Often suffer from the disease and people working in enterprises for the production of rubber products. The more experience in this field, the higher the risk of getting an allergy.
In addition to this category of people, people with a history of the following ailments are at increased risk:
- allergic reactions in the form of bronchial asthma,dermatitis;
- diseases of the bone marrow;
- food allergy;
- abnormal structure of the urinary tract and bladder;
- a large number of surgical interventions in history;
- necessity to insert a urinary catheter.
Latex allergy in women has the same symptoms as in the stronger sex. However, women still face this problem much more often. When cleaning the premises, they use latex gloves, which, if in close contact with the skin on their hands, can provoke the development of an inadequate immune system response.
What is the relationship between food allergies and intolerance to rubber tree milk liquid products? The thing is that some products contain protein, which is also found in latex. It is this substance that is the main cause of the appearance of pathology. Cherries, tomatoes, kiwi, figs, peaches, potatoes, avocados, nuts are allergenic foods.
How do allergies manifest?
The human body can react 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 more severe (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 he alth, duration of contact with the irritant. Skin reactions are the main symptoms that manifest latex allergy. Symptoms in the form of rashes andredness 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 limited to only slight redness of the skin and peeling. These symptoms usually resolve quickly.
If you inhale the substances used to make latex products, the signs of allergy will be more severe. Palpitations, hypotension, an attack of asthmatic cough, shortness of breath are symptoms in which the patient will need urgent help from specialists. In the most rare cases, swelling of the face, neck, lips (Quincke's edema) and anaphylactic shock may occur. Allergy to latex (photo above) should be stopped in time.
Symptoms in women
Acting on the mucous membranes, latex provokes the appearance of wounds and ulcers, burning sensations. Similar signs occur in women using barrier methods of preventing pregnancy. Itching and redness of the skin on contact with underwear and socks (in the area of elastic bands) may also indicate the presence of pathology.
Do children get sick?
Can a child be allergic to latex? The milk sap of the rubber tree, used to make nipples, pacifiers and other baby products, has been shown to be a powerful allergen and often causes symptomatic symptoms, according to research.
In babies of the first year of lifepathology manifests itself under the guise of a cold, and is accompanied by sneezing, lacrimation, nasal congestion. Often there are skin reactions (itching, redness, swelling of tissues). In the zone of high probability of developing the disease are children who already have a similar diagnosis in their anamnesis.
Diagnosis
In order to determine which substance is the allergen, special tests are carried out. Allergic tests are usually prescribed after the first manifestation of characteristic symptoms. It is recommended that you consult a doctor if you have signs of a food allergy to those products that have peptides similar in structure to rubber proteins.
Only laboratory diagnostics can accurately determine the type of irritant that causes a negative reaction of the immune system. Before you go to the doctor, you need to remember in what situation there was contact with latex. Perhaps the symptoms appeared after visiting the manipulation room in the clinic, after sexual intercourse.
Allergy to latex is 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 completely only if contact with the allergen is excluded. If aif this is not done, the signs of the disease will reappear. For quick relief of an allergic attack, the use of drugs from the group of antihistamines will be required. Modern antiallergic drugs do not cause side effects in the form of drowsiness and decreased concentration.
Effective systemic drugs are:
- Levociterizine.
- "Desloratadine".
- Erius.
- Lordestin.
- Suprastinex.
- Telfast.
More powerful drugs are based on hormones. Systemic glucocorticoids should be used if other treatment options fail. These drugs are analogues of hormones that are produced in the adrenal cortex and are responsible for controlling allergic reactions, inflammatory processes.
In the acute course of an allergic reaction, the patient will need droppers and other procedures provided in the hospital. For children, only a doctor can prescribe antihistamines in the right dosages.
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 an infectious process.
Topical preparations in the form of ointments will help eliminate dermatitis. Of course, you can only useafter the appointment of an allergist. Because such drugs may contain hormones in their composition. These are stronger drugs that can suppress the production of specific antibodies.
Ointments based on prednisolone and hydrocortisone are considered the safest and can be used to treat babies under 2 years old and women during pregnancy. However, they only help with a mild allergic reaction.
If, for example, there is a severe allergy to latex gloves, it is recommended to use products of moderate effect. It can be ointment "Tsinakort" or "Afloderm". Drugs such as Advantan, Sinalar, Elocom will quickly stop the symptoms of a pathological phenomenon.
Non-hormonal ointments
This group of drugs is safer than hormonal drugs. Many drugs are suitable for prescribing to children, including infants. Elidel cream is used to relieve inflammation in allergic dermatitis. The manufacturer allows you to prescribe it to children from the age of three months. The drug can cause (at the initial stage of treatment) worsening of allergy symptoms.
Bepanthen is popular. The ointment accelerates the healing process of the skin, eliminates inflammation and itching.
If an adult has an allergy 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, Fenistil gel.
Recommendations
Even in the absence of hypersensitivity to products made from the milk juice of the rubber tree, with constant contact with them there is a risk of allergies. It will be possible to avoid such a fate by replacing latex household items with products that do not contain this substance. For example, latex nipples for children are easily replaced with silicone ones. Latex gloves for house cleaning are more comfortable than polyethylene, but the second option will not cause allergies.
