What is a latex allergy

Latex is available as a synthetically produced variant and as a natural product, made from the sap of the rubber tree. Both forms can cause allergies. Latex is used, for example, for disposable and rubber gloves, plasters, pacifiers, balloons, rubber cuffs, hot water bottles or condoms.

There are basically two types of latex allergy:

• Immediate type allergy (type I): It is caused by the proteins in natural latex and occurs after just a few minutes.
• Late-type allergy (type IV): This variant occurs with a delay, around twelve or more hours after contact with the latex product. Additives that the manufacturers add to the natural latex during production are the trigger for latex allergies.

The frequency with which a latex allergy occurs is low. According to the German Allergy and Asthma Association, an estimated two percent of the total population suffer from it. In particular, the late-type allergy occurs less and less because the allergy-triggering additives are known and can be avoided or replaced accordingly.

Causes of a latex allergy

The frequent contact with latex products is the main cause of an allergy to latex. The immune system reacts excessively to certain proteins in natural latex or to additives in synthetic latex. This means that the body develops a defense mechanism against latex, which is harmless in itself, and sensitization occurs. The latex allergy does not develop at the first contact, but gradually. Employees in the medical and care sector who often and regularly come into contact with latex (for example with gloves or cannulas) are most frequently affected .

In addition to frequent contact, other existing allergies as well as diseases such as neurodermatitis or asthma , which are associated with an excessive immune reaction, can increase the likelihood of a latex allergy. Note: A latex allergy can also arise without skin contact. This happens when someone regularly inhales tiny particles, for example when abrasion forms when taking off rubber gloves.

Latex allergy: Cross allergies are common

Cross -allergies are relatively common in latex allergy sufferers , i.e. they also react allergically to proteins that are similar in structure to the allergy triggers. In most cases the latex allergy is a plant or food.

For example, types of fruit such as

• Banana,
• Mango,
• Peach,
• Avocado,
• Kiwi,
• Passion fruit or
• Fig can cause an allergic reaction.

Such a cross-reaction is also called latex-fruit syndrome .

Potatoes, nuts, chestnuts, radicchio, asparagus or lettuce as well as tomatoes are also potential candidates for a cross allergy. The fact that certain (indoor) plants such as Ficus benjamina (weeping fig), cacti or poinsettia may also have to be banned from the apartment may still be tolerable for those with a latex allergy. The fact that coffee and hops are also plants that often cause cross-allergies and therefore the corresponding drinks for latex allergy sufferers may be more difficult for some.

Latex allergy: these symptoms indicate it

So much for the theory. But how does a latex allergy actually express itself? That depends on how severe the latex allergy is. Signs can be uncomfortable but relatively harmless, such as local wheals . But they can also grow to an allergic shock with cardiovascular arrest.

The symptoms usually occur where the latex has come into contact with the skin. If the person concerned wears rubber gloves, for example, the latex allergy shows up on the hands. If a latex allergy occurs due to a condom , the symptoms become noticeable in the genital or genital area. A latex allergy is less common in men than in women.

A latex allergy in the genital area shows symptoms such as redness and swelling on the penis in men. The typical latex allergy symptoms in women, on the other hand, occur on the mucous membranes of the vagina. Specifically, this means that the latex allergy causes symptoms in the vagina, such as itching, burning or wheals.

In general, the symptoms can be divided into four degrees of severity or stages:

• Stage I: After skin contact with latex, wheals form at the contact point (local contact urticaria); if mucous membranes are affected, they swell and / or feel furry.
• Stage II: The wheals are spread over the entire skin (generalized urticaria), swelling (e.g. also of the eyelids) is possible.
• Stage III: In addition to the wheals, there are itching, allergic runny nose, watery eyes, sore throat, irritable cough, shortness of breath (allergic bronchial asthma; can occur hours after contact with the latex), sometimes gastrointestinal complaints.
• Stage IV: allergic (anaphylactic) shock with shortness of breath, drop in blood pressure up to unconsciousness and cardiovascular arrest.

Symptoms of late-type latex allergy are rash (reddening), itching and blisters (contact eczema).

Latex allergy: testing options

If you experience itching or swelling after wearing latex gloves, inflating a balloon, or using a condom, this may indicate a latex allergy. Even if you cannot tolerate exotic fruits (see causes), this could indicate a latex or cross allergy.

Then you should make an appointment with an allergist who will check whether it really is a latex allergy. The doctor will first ask questions about when the symptoms occurred, whether allergies or illnesses are already known or whether there are any in the family, what job you do in order to get a first impression.

The doctor will then carry out further examinations if he suspects a latex allergy. The same can be tested via, for example

• Blood test : In the so-called RAST text, the doctor takes blood from the person concerned and examines whether it contains antibodies against natural latex.
• Skin prick test : This is a skin test in which the doctor slightly scratches the skin in some places and then applies various allergen solutions. In the case of an allergy, the skin turns red or swells in the affected area.
• Provocation test : Here the patient wears a latex glove for about 20 minutes and the doctor checks whether the skin is reacting with allergy symptoms.

Latex allergy: treatment

The cause of a latex allergy cannot be treated. This means that there is no desensitization, as is the case with pollen allergies, for example, which addresses the cause, but only possibilities to alleviate the symptoms. This happens, for example, with antiallergic agents ( antihistamines ), cortisone (has an anti-inflammatory effect) or bronchodilating agents such as salbutamol in allergic asthma. If the latex allergy is in the genital area, the treatment can initially consist of a thorough cleaning with water. If the symptom do not go away, the doctor can prescribe an antiallergenic ointment.

Those affected should always have an allergy passport and an emergency kit with them. It is also important that you let them know during (dental) medical examinations, operations and treatments that they cannot tolerate latex.

Since there is no specific immunotherapy for a latex allergy, the most important measure is to avoid products made from this material as much as possible . If the complaints arise in the workplace, talk to the company doctor and your supervisor about how latex can be avoided in your environment. If necessary, you or your doctor must submit an occupational disease report by means of which you report the latex allergy as an occupational disease to the employers' liability insurance association in order to assert claims for benefits (individual prevention, rehabilitation, etc.).