latex allergy


Immunology An immune response to latex that affects ±7% of the US population, and over 15% of health care workers. It can be either type I reaction or a type IV reaction.
Type I reaction Immediate (anaphylactic) IgE-mediated response to latex proteins, which occurs after prior exposure to latex. While latex anaphylaxis can be life-threatening, deaths therefrom are 'case report rare'
Type IV reaction Allergic contact dermatitis An immune response that causes a delayed—poison ivy-like—skin rash with blistering and oozing

latex allergy

Allergy medicine An IgE-mediated sensitivity to latex proteins Clinical Anaphylaxis, angioedema, asthma, conjunctivitis, contact urticaria, rhinitis, following sensitization to latex allergens; LA is common, affects ±7% of US population, ≥ 15% of health care workers. See Latex.

la·tex al·ler·gy

(lā'teks al'ĕr-jē) Cutaneous hypersensitivity to natural rubber which is used in the manufacture of rubber gloves, condoms, and other articles.

la·tex al·ler·gy

(lā'teks al'ĕr-jē) Hypersensitivity to latex-based products, those derived from similar plants, and those containing such synthetic materials.

Patient discussion about latex allergy

Q. I went out the other day with an ex, and things got “interesting” and then he refused to wear a condom saying he is allergic to the latex now! I mean, we’ve been together a few years before and he didn’t have any problem then. So how can he be allergic to latex all of a sudden?(we didn’t have unprotected sex if any of you wondered)A. I doubt an allergy to latex developes over the years out of the blue, but it is not impossible that someone suffers from somewhat an allergy at a lesser extent that does not bother him and then later developes a stronger reaction to the substance.

More discussions about latex allergy