Latex allergy occurs when a person who has been sensitized to latex allergens develops immediate-type allergic symptoms on contact with products that are derived from natural rubber latex (NRL).
The rest of this section will tell you more about what this means.
It will explain:
What are allergy and sensitization?
An allergy, or allergic reaction, occurs when the immune system reacts to a substance that it would normally just ignore. It does this because it mistakenly believes that this substance is harmful to your body.
The substances that cause allergic reactions are called allergens.
There are two stages in the development of an allergy:
Stage 1
Firstly you become sensitised to an allergen when your immune system makes antibodies called immunoglobulin E (IgE for short) against it.
Stage 2
If you are exposed to the same allergen again, these antibodies trigger an immune response. The aim of the immune response is to fight off the allergen. This immune response is what causes the symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Some people become sensitised to an allergen and have an allergic reaction soon after. For others, it may be some time after they become sensitised before they have an allergic reaction. It is also possible to be sensitised to an allergen but never have an allergic reaction to it.
So, sensitisation to an allergen does not in itself cause symptoms, but may later result in an allergic reaction which does produce symptoms.
Allergens can get into the body in several different ways:
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What are latex and rubber?
Latex is a milky liquid or ‘sap’ that is produced in nature by many plants. It helps to seal and protect areas of the plant that have been damaged.
Natural rubber latex (NRL) is the name given to the ‘sap’ that comes from the Brazilian rubber tree Hevea brasiliensis, which is now grown commercially mainly in South-east Asia.
The NRL that is tapped from these trees is processed into natural rubber. To see a rubber tree being tapped click here.
Synthetic rubber is different, being made from petroleum, coal, oil, natural gas, or acetylene.
Both natural and synthetic rubber are used to make a wide range of household and medical products.
Allergy to chemicals that are used in the manufacture of both natural and synthetic rubber is known as rubber chemical allergy.
Allergy to proteins that are present in natural rubber is known as latex allergy.
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What are the differences between latex allergy and rubber chemical allergy?
The main differences between these two types of allergy are described below:
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Latex allergy
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Rubber chemical allergy
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The allergic reaction happens soon after coming into contact with NRL, generally within minutes – this is called an ‘immediate’ or ‘Type I’ allergy
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The allergic reaction is much slower to appear after coming into contact with rubber, at least several hours – this is called a ‘delayed’ or ‘Type IV’ allergy
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Other common examples of Type I reaction are peanut allergy and hay fever (grass pollen allergy)
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Other common examples of Type IV reaction are nickel allergy and perfume allergy
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The allergens are proteins that are present in products that are made from natural rubber
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The allergens are chemicals that may be used in the production of both synthetic and natural rubber
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An allergic antibody called IgE reacts against the allergen
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Sensitised cells called lymphocytes react against the allergen
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Symptoms can affect the skin, mucous membranes, airways, and occasionally the whole body
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Symptoms only appear on the skin. Is also called contact allergic dermatitis.
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It is diagnosed by blood test or skin prick testing (see 'diagnosis')
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It is diagnosed by patch testing (see 'diagnosis')
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The rest of the information on this site is about Type I natural rubber latex allergy
For more information about the topics discussed here please click on the links below:
Allergy
Rubber
Latex
Rubber Tree
Synthetic Rubber
Rubber Stitching
IgE
Allergens in NRL
Type I allergy
Type IV allergy
Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Rubber Chemical Allergy
Patch Testing
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