Latex allergy
Latex allergy is an immediate type of allergy to natural rubber that affects a growing number of people.
trigger
The allergy is triggered by natural latex, which is used in numerous products.
Even as a houseplant widespread weeping fig ( Ficus benjamina ) is a trigger allergic reactions in the sense of many latex allergic cross allergy . Natural latex (= natural rubber ) can also be found in other plants , including succulent euphorbias , the so-called “ poinsettia ” and cassava . The immune system can also react to similar substances (cross allergy). For example, a latex allergy sufferer B. also have an allergic reaction to kiwis, bananas, avocados, walnuts and chestnuts. This is commonly called oral allergy syndrome . Latex in particular is a latex-fruit syndrome .
The allergic reactions are mostly triggered by skin contact, which can lead to contact eczema. However, reactions were also observed after inhalation.
Symptoms
The severity of anaphylaxis (allergic reaction) can range from mild itching and reddening of the skin to severe anaphylactic shock , which can rarely lead to death.
diagnosis
First of all, a corresponding medical history is in the foreground. Suspicious factors include work in the medical or nursing field or in the rubber processing industry. Parasitic sensations when wearing rubber gloves or during sexual intercourse with condoms are also an indication.
This is followed by skin and blood tests. Latex prick tests are currently no longer commercially available and are only available in specialist allergological clinics. The doctor drops an allergen solution and lightly scratches the skin on the forearm several times. A blood test can confirm the diagnosis.
The doctor may do a provocation test to confirm the results of the blood test. People with hives (urticaria) wear latex gloves for about 20 minutes. Alternatively, if the symptom is an allergic runny nose, a latex solution can be applied to the nasal lining. A provocation test on the lung mucosa is also possible under certain circumstances in asthma. If the symptom is contact eczema, an epicutaneous test is often followed.
Since in rare cases more severe reactions can occur with all of these tests, they only take place under strict medical supervision. As soon as symptoms become noticeable, the glove or the latex solution is removed as soon as possible. The diagnosis of "latex allergy" is then considered to be confirmed.
risk groups
Especially in the latex processing industry and in the medical field, where z. B. latex gloves are used as surgical gloves , there are more people allergic to latex (5 to 17%). Prevention concepts for the prevention of latex-related damage to health have been drawn up by the trade associations and several allergy working groups and have led to a reduction in the work-related stresses placed on employees in the healthcare sector. People with spina bifida , atopic diseases (e.g. neurodermatitis , bronchial asthma allergicum) or congenital urogenital anomalies are also allergic to latex more than average. If a contrast agent allergy is suspected , other allergies, including latex, may be the underlying cause in individual cases.
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ R. Brehler, U. Theissen, C. Mohr, T. Luger: latex-fruit syndrome: frequency of cross-Reacting IgE antibodies . In: Allergy , 52 (4), 1997, pp. 404-410.
- ↑ Sumana Reddy: Latex Allergy .
- ↑ SM Tarlo, G. Sussman, A. Contala, MC Swanson: Control of airborne latex by use of powder-free latex gloves . In: The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology . tape 93 , no. 6 , June 1994, ISSN 0091-6749 , pp. 985-989 , PMID 8006320 .
- ^ I Böhm: Latex allergy in patients suspected for contrast media hypersensitivity: a neglected differential diagnosis . In: Acta Radiologica , 2010, 51, pp. 709-710.
