Latex Allergy

latex allergy,

anaphylactic hypersensitivity to soluble proteins in latex, seen most often in patients sensitized by repeated exposure to latex.

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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

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latex (lā´teks),

n natural rubber.

latex allergy,

n a hypersensitivity to natural rubber latex in which symptoms may range from minor skin irritations, hives, itchy eyes, and runny nose to asthma and life-threatening anaphylaxis. Because many items used during dental procedures contain rubber latex, patients should be routinely screened for this allergy.

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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.

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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.