Once again, I'm trying to capture the attention of those of you who may have had an experience or know of someone who has had an experience with an latex allergy. I am curious as to how long before others have noticed the reaction, and to how long it is before the reaction disappears. For me it's about 10 hours before I notice that anything is wrong, and about a week before the reaction fades away. I've tried to do some research on it before I make my way to the doctors office, but so far I'm not coming up with much. Please... any suggestions or advice you could provide me with would be greatly appreciated.


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Take care, Alicia

I had bad reactions to latex gloves. Redness, bumps, and itching like there was no tomorrow. Mine would happen within 10 minutes of wearing the gloves and would take about 24 hours to dissapear.
I thought I was allergic to latex, so I got an allergy test and I was allergic to milk/dairy. After some long research I found an article that stated part of the manufacturing process of making latex gloves was to soak them in milk to soften them. Go figure.

Interesting. I don'tdrink alot of milk, but when I do I've never noticed any sort of an reaction. Thanks for the suggestion though. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

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Take care, Alicia

I have severe latex allergies now. They started 3 years ago, when I was wearing rubber work boots, while working in a muddy horse pasture. Even though they were lined w/cotton, and I had on socks, I broke out the next day. Each time I was exposed to latex, it got worse. It wasn't until I wore those wonderful electrician gloves, the docs fig'd out what was up. My hands are now scarred from the reaction, and my latex allergy is always on my mind. Over time, the reaction becomes quicker, and stronger...so be very careful...each exposure is more intense than the last, and I don't much care for the blisters, and the swelling it leaves behind...good luck...

I also have a latex allergy and I agree with Ibates68 that the more you expose yourself to latex the more of a reaction that you have. There is alot of things you have to avoid. There is a rast test through an allergist to be tested for the allergy but becareful if this is done in an hospital setting because the rubber band they put around your arm to draw your blood is latex. This can be a very dangerous allergy to have so if you suspect this is latex causing your symptoms I would see an allergist due to more exposure if you would every need surgery. There is several foods that cross react with latex which you can find by doing a search. I think kiwi is one. The gloves bother me the most which there is alot of different chemicals in them. I am allergic to the powder in them also and then they are vulcanized with sulfur which I am also allergic to so if you are reacting from just the gloves it could be hard to pinpoint what is causing the reaction.
Vball_#4

Did the rast test show the allergy to sulfur?

My rast test did not show the allergy to sulfur because I was being checked for latex. I can not tolerate sulfur, sulfates and sulfites it throws me into breathing problems. I had just found where the gloves are vulcanized with a sulfur compound. With my rast test it showed up in the gray area which meant I have a sensitivity to latex. When I am around the gloves I have trouble breathing which could be a reaction to the powder also. Is there a rast test for sulfur? Sulfur dioxide is what gives me alot of problems.
Vball_#4

My mom is allergic to latex. She knew about it but it wasn't so bad so nothing really was done about it. When I was about 10 or 11 she had an absess in her brain that had to be removed. It did significant damage and she had to be hospitalized for about 2 and a half months. While she was in the hospital the employees ignored our requests to use latex free products. In the long run she became severly allergic to latex. She has seizures now and her reaction to it is to have more seizures and she gets hives etc. Her reaction time differs. Sometimes soon after and sometimes not till later that day. To follow up with Vball, some of the foods you can't eat are: kiwi, bananas, avacados, and certain nuts. Don't chew gum. My mom can't wear anything with spandex, or elastic. It's hard to find socks that don't have elastic in them. For you or anyone else that want to look into this more try going to http://latexallergylinks.tripod.com

-Emily

Just wondering if you know what type of nuts because I have a severe allergy to pecans?
Vball_#4

I just found one of my mom's old pamphlets and it said "A number of foods can cause cross-reactivity in some people who have developed latex allergy. Some of the proteins in these foods are similar to those found in natural rubber latex and may trigger allergic reactions. It is essential to be aware of the potential of allergic reactions. Cross-reactive foods include but are not limited to: banana, avacado, kiwi, chestnut, tomato, potato, apricot, papaya, passion fruit, pineapple, peach, plum, cherry, melon, grape, and celery." I'm still looking up the nuts, but I'll post as soon as I find it.

Heres a link that will tell more about foods and such with the latex allergy. http://www.latexallergylinks.org/GreerLabs.html The peacan thing though vball, I'm not completely sure about it, but my mom said her doctor did say something about peacans and latex allergies in the past.

Not sure if it's a latex allergy or a reaction to the adhessive of the bandage but I had the reaction. I noticed the reaction a few hours later and because I itched it, it has turned into a rash. It's fading slowly.

If your allergic to latex then you can get a reaction from the adhesive on bandages or bandaids. I suggest buying latex free bandaids etc.

I am allergic to latex and if a bandaid is put on it takes only a few minutes to break out in red spots. Best to use paper tape and gauze, but, sometimes in the doctor's office they can slap on a bandaid in a flash before you have time to tell them "no".

It is necessary to announce that you are allergic to latex when the first person comes into the exam room.

The more you are exposed the worse the allergy will be with future contacts.

Bandaids have latex in the adhesive.

I could not agree more with the messages I have read. I am latex allergic myself. My first experience was at the dentist. He was wearing latex gloves. My reaction came almost immediately. I suffered a severe anapylactic reaction. Not fun! anyone suffering from a latex allergy needs so seriously consider a latex safe dentist. The less you expose yourself to the offending allergen the safer and less reactive you will be.
good luck to all.
april in pain

Use a latex free band aid. They are hard to find though. I get mine through the hospital my hubby works for. Ask your doctor or allergist. They may be able to provide you with some. Or, point you in the directions on where to purchase them.

Thanks everyone. You would think there would be more bandages out there that are latex free. It seems instead they seem to have stronger adhesive. I still have the allergic reaction and have been applying the benadryl. There was a brand that claimed to have no latex in the strip part that is pealed away (that gets discarded) but the others did not make that claim. Sat there looking for latex free down to the peal away part. I bought gauze and paper tape. In the store I tested one of the ones that made a latex free claim to make sure it was ok and that worked.

ps-the benadryl liquid is helping the bandaid rash, how long should it take to go away? Is there a shot the doctor can give to help calm the allergy or am I stuck w/taking Benadryl until it finally goes away?

ps-Disposed of the rubber backed carpet. Breathing has improved. Don't know if it's coincidental but heck, I'll take feeling better. I wish I thought of it sooner. Better late then never ! :)

I too have a severe latex allergy. Misdiagnosed for over 5 years...thought passing out was due to pregnancy, bandaid allergy caused rash, reaction during surgery due to epidural etc.. finally diagnosed in 2002, unable to continue working because employer refused to change from powdered latex gloves. My reactions are usuallly quite immediate, but last year I reacted overnight after working til 11pm..by morning fully swollen eyes/face, now full body system reactions - palpitations, pain, swelling rash/hives, itchiness within 1-2 hours of exposure. I find a dose of steriods and following with 48-72 hours of antihistamines helps most...new non drowsy antihistamines have completely changed my abitity to function daily with out sleeping 12-14 hours a day. I am also sure to continue drinking large amounts of water to help clear my system daily and increase it after an exposure.