Facts About Hazardous Latex Allergies

Blood And Skin Diagnostic Tests

It can be difficult to check for a latex allergy. If latex allergies run in an individual's family, and they notice they react strongly to latex, they may not need an official diagnosis. But if individuals are not sure what's causing their allergic reactions, blood and skin diagnostic tests can be used. With a blood test, the doctor will order a blood draw to see if the patient has a latex sensitivity. A skin test will let patients know whether their skin shows increased reactivity to the proteins in latex. The doctor will insert a tiny amount of latex underneath the patient's skin using a small needle. This is typically done on the back or forearm. Individuals who are allergic to latex will develop a raised skin reaction at the injection site. They shouldn't try to perform this test themselves, as only allergists and other doctors with experience in skin testing are qualified to perform it safely.

Hypoallergenic Products May Not Work

Hypoallergenic products may not work for individuals dealing with a latex allergy. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a statement advising manufacturers to stop labeling their products as 'latex-free' when they still can cause hazardous allergic reactions. The biggest problem is that the FDA doesn't regulate how the term 'hypoallergenic' is defined. This means some products may contain allergens other hypoallergenic products don't. There's no way to tell what allergens are included in a product simply because of the hypoallergenic label. Research has shown some of these products do indeed contain allergens that can cause skin reactions. One study showed nearly ninety percent of children's skincare products called 'hypoallergenic' actually had at least one common skin allergen included.