What is Latex Allergy?
- Womenscorner Desk
- August 28, 2020
Latex allergy is a reaction to certain proteins found in natural rubber latex, a product made from the rubber tree. If you have a latex allergy, your body mistakes latex for a harmful substance.
What Causes Latex Allergy?
According to the United States Department of Labor, 8-12 percent of healthcare workers are thought to have a latex allergy, as well as up to 68 percent of all spina bifida patients (due to regular surgical procedures). However, overall, less than 1 percent of the general population is allergic.
Allergic people’s immune systems identify latex as a pathogen – a substance or organism that harms health. The immune system triggers cells in the body to produce antibodies that fight the latex component. The next time the body comes into contact with latex, the antibodies detect it and signal the immune system to release chemicals, including histamine into the bloodstream.
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The more a susceptible person is exposed to latex, the greater their immune reaction is likely to be – this is called sensitization.
During manufacturing, latex is often modified. Sometimes, the product is not thoroughly washed. As a result, more “free” latex is present on the surface. This “free”
latex is responsible for a significant proportion of latex allergies. Free latex easily sticks to the powder that is often used in surgical gloves. During use, the gloves frequently “snap” when putting them on or taking them off. This snapping sends the powder into the air. Inhaled latex can be a serious allergic problem.
Source : Google
