Facts About Hazardous Latex Allergies
Latex allergies are one of the more common allergies in the world. While latex might seem like a synthetic material, it is actually produced from the sap of the rubber tree found throughout Africa and Southeast Asia. Because latex isn't native to the rest of the world, many people's bodies are not acclimated to latex and mistake it for a harmful substance. These individuals can experience powerful allergic reactions when they come into contact with the rubber. Latex allergies might be common, but they aren't well understood. If an individual thinks they might have a latex sensitivity, they may benefit from checking out these facts about this common allergy.
Other Medical Conditions Can Put One At Risk
As stated, latex allergies still aren't fully understood, but clinical studies have found they appear to be linked with other medical conditions. Individuals with asthma are found to have a higher prevalence of latex allergies, and so are those who suffer from other allergies. For some reason, patients born with spina bifida have been found to have some of the highest rates of latex allergies. Skin conditions such as eczema are also a common co-occurring condition alongside latex allergies. If individuals have any of these conditions, they should consult their doctor to get a screening for latex allergies.
Symptoms Can Take Many Different Forms
The symptoms of latex allergies and exposure can present themselves in many different ways. The most common symptoms linked to this kind of allergy are rashes on the skin called irritant contact dermatitis, which result in dryness, burning, itching, scaling, and painful lesions. More severe reactions to latex are accompanied by flu-like symptoms including fever, rhinitis (runny nose), pink eye, cramps, and hives. In the most extreme cases, latex allergies can trigger potentially deadly anaphylactic shock reactions. If individuals experience any of the above symptoms when they come into contact with latex, they likely have a latex allergy.
