Latex Allergies
Latex allergies are known to cause many different types of bodily reactions; from mild to severe, and life-threatening.
Here are some of the reactions
- Itching
- Skin redness
- hives
- rash
More severe latex allergy reactions
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Itchy eyes
- Scratchy throat
- Asthma
- Difficult breathing
- Coughing spells and Wheezing
Life threatening reactions
These reactions are severe and need medical intervention.
- Anaphylaxis – a serious reaction involving severe breathing difficulty
- Drop in blood pressure
- Shock
- Chest tightness
How soon does this begin?
Usually it begins within minutes of exposure to the allergen, but can occur hours later. The risk of developing allergic symptoms increases with each exposure. In most cases latex allergy develops after many previous exposures to latex proteins. Seek immediate care if you experience difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, or faintness.
There is no cure, so the best you can do is, to eliminate a known allergy completely, is avoidance. If the discovery of something allergic to your body, one can take an antihistamine that one can buy over the counter. But for a severe symptoms, there are injectables like Epinephrine that is used to prevent Anaphylaxis.
9 major food allergens in the U.S.
- Milk
- Eggs
- Shellfish ie. lobster, crab, shrimp
- Tree nuts ie. almonds, walnuts, pecans
- Wheat
- Soybeans
- Mollusks ie. mussels and oysters
- Sulphur dioxide
- Sulfites
What about fruits ?
- Apricot
- Peach
- Apple
- Strawberry
- Citrus
- Coconut
- Cherries
What about tropical fruits?
If latex is the problem for you, tropical fruits are ‘loaded.’ I found this out for myself and I was devastated. Everything I loved! I found out why I was having hives and itching all the time. No, I was not happy. The worst part is this: The reactions are cumulative and it only can become worse.
- Kiwi
- Avocado
- Banana
- Lychee
- Mango
- Papaya
- Passion Fruit
- Pineapple
- Tamarind
Some people have nut allergies too !
- Brazil nuts
- Almonds
- Cashews
- Macadamia
- Pistachio
- Pine nuts
- Walnuts
- Hazelnuts
- Peanuts
Here is a list you might want to print out for yourselves, as it is quite extensive. However, this does not mean one should not eat these things; just use common sense and moderation, for most people. I am giving you some idea of how serious this can be for the person who is highly allergic. They often feel like there is nothing they can eat, and that is so unfortunate. For those of us that can tolerate a “little” in moderation, and take an anti-histamine for back up, can get by. However, the highly allergic have to really watch their food labels and how much they dare to intake. Lots of times, for them, they don’t dare.
Latex is also used in rubber and rubber is everywhere! What is especially difficult for the highly allergic person are the rubber handles on some tools, backings on carpets or small rugs, soles on some sneakers, rubber tires, surgical tools, etc. If you are mildly sensitive to some of these listed items, you can probably handle it, with avoidance and anti-histamines. However, do let your physician know about these things. Tests can determine your level of sensitivity, so you know how to proceed.
