It is very common for even expert to mistake the latex allergy symptoms for a different form of allergy. This is because sometimes the triggers of this kind of allergy are from food with certain kind of protein that is present in rubber at the same time present in specific food. This includes avocado, banana, chestnut, tomato and kiwi fruit. This is why people often think they have food allergies other than latex sensitivity.
It is important for a patient to provide the right information to your doctor so that they can also give you proper diagnosis. You need to spot some of the most common symptoms with this kind of allergy.
Three major latex allergy symptoms classification
Depending on the kind of exposure that you have with the trigger substance there will be three different stages that most patients undergo in developing this kind of allergy.
First they will have irritant contact dermatitis which only includes a mild allergic reaction after you have made contact with the trigger substance. This will include:
- burning,
- dryness,
- itching and
- scaling of the skin area where the contact was made.
Second it will develop into allergic contact dermatitis where all the symptoms from the first will be seen plus the scaling will spread to other parts of the body. The burning sensation that that allergic reaction is causing will also become severe. Third it will turn into latex hypersensitivity. This is the most severe reaction where if the patient will not receive any immediate treatment it can lead to death. You need to check for frequent sneezing, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, water eyes and runny nose. There’s also a very severe itching and hives that will develop.
Once these kinds of symptoms show on the patient it is important that you immediately bring them to the ER or call an ambulance for immediate help.
Immediate solution for latex allergy symptoms
There are still studies done that are dedicated to discovering the cure for this kind of allergy but the doctors only use medicine that can help patient not to feel the itchiness and to lessen the swelling of the skin. Knowing all the latex allergy symptoms can be used to save a life because you can easily identify and inform your doctor the symptoms that you need to take note for their diagnosis.
While there’s still no known cure for this kind of allergies doctors would just suggest to avoid contact with any latex made item and environment that has high latex usage such as in a hospital. You also need to avoid eating fruits that might trigger you allergic reaction as well. Just make sure that you get rid of all items that are rubber made to avoid any accident that might make you touch those materials. You need to have a list of things that are latex made such as gloves, balloons, condoms, toys, rubber bands, mouse pad, diaper, sports equipment and among many others.
If you try to learn all the important things about this specific allergy you will have better chance of preventing the attack from happening.