Do latex gloves cause hand allergic reaction?

I had an allergic reaction to latex once, should i be weary of latex now?

• while performing a lab in science class, we were working with chemicals and required to wear latex gloves. After the lab i noticed that my hand became swelled, and my knuckles had multiple hives on them, much like an allergic reaction to latex would cause. I took some benadryl and the swelling/ hives cleared in about an hour or so. But now im not to sure weather or not i should be weary of using latex items, as i have worn latex gloves befre with no reaction at all, and even this reaction was very small. I ask this particularly because me and my girlfriend are likely going to have sex soon, so i need to know if i should stay away from the standard latex condom, or if its okay to use them? I have already asked my parents to get me tested at a doctors office, but they said not to worry about it unless i react again, so any advice other than going to get an allergy test would be very appreciated!!

• Answer:

  I worked for years as a dental assistant..I was always reacting to the gloves. One day I went home & couldn't breath,swelled up & went into a severe allergic reaction. The more contact you have with Latex/natural rubber the better the chance you will have a severe reaction from it. Your best bet is to stay away from it as much as possible.You really should be tested for it.Right now it sounds like you have contact dermatitis from it.that's how mine started out. I studied at the Center For Disease Control in Miami,FL.They advised us that more people would start reacting to latex/natural rubber,yet not understand (drs included) that even if you aren't allergic to latex/natural rubber,you can still have a severe, even deadly reaction to it.Many females in the medical field would develop allergic reactions to it or die from a reaction. An Operating Room nurse I know,later started a group when her friend died in the OR as she was assisting a surgeon.She wasn't allergic to latex/natural rubber,yet they determined a latex reaction was the cause of death.There aren't any guidelines on how much latex powder can be used in or on products. My aunts neighbor was an OR nurse...she died when her grandson popped a balloon at his birthday party.She never had a reaction before. The CDC said many who have reactions could be easily misdiagnosed, and treated for high blood pressure & anxiety. The more contact you have,the worse the reactions can get.They now have lamb skin condoms for latex reactive people.Best to use those if you do decide to have sex. Most hospitals, Emergency Rooms,dentists & drs will use non latex gloves if they know a patient has a latex allergy.A Medic Alert necklace is a must,since most medical folks look for them.Most have found substitutes for it (IV tips can be natural rubber too,they can use ones made of poly if they know you have an allergy to latex,natural rubber) The CDC said the biggest problem is latex,natural rubber can be used in many forms.. powder,liquid & as a solid.The comfort grips on pens can be made of rubber too. My allergist told me the only safe thing I can do is to avoid latex/natural rubber.There isn't a list except for in the medical field of what it is in or made of.As a rule of thumb I have found that if it does any of the following,it's latex/natural rubber:: 1) sticks on it's own ( tape,stickers stamps) 2) bounces ( rubber balls, many toys & sneaker soles) 3) stretches ( elastic) 4) create a waterproof/moisture barrier ( gloves,rubber coated products) 5) smell like bananas ( banana allergy is a cross food for latex/natural rubber,both in the same botanical family of trees) 8) a powder that absorbs moisture( ex. exam masks, disposable diapers, famine hygiene pads & tampons) 7) used to prevent some products from sticking to packing ( band aids,even non latex ones,3M told me when I kept reacting to their band aids) 8) some black ink is rubber based,latex powder is used to prevent ink sticking pages together in items printed on high speed presses. I have gotten research reuslts from allergists who have been doing studies on it, The CDC, Manufactures,the OR nurse and a lawyer who has helped people get SSA after severe allergic reactions.Along with experiencing severe reactions There is a treatment for it,but no cure.They put you on Bendaryl Predisone & Prilosec OTC for 5-10 days.A shot in the Emergency Room & IV helps. Benadryl is the only thing that has an antihistamine & slows down reactions to the IeG proteins.They also make an antihistamine cream.The store brands work too.Best to use the dye free Benadryl / antihistamines. The dr can do a simple blood test to figure out how allergic you are to it.Then give you a treatment plan for reactions.You may have to carry an Epi-Pen for emergencies.We can't use them due to our allergy to the sulfur they use to preserve it's shelf life. Take heart,many don't want to believe latex/natural rubber can be such an allergen.I know I laughed when my specialist called & told me I had a severe allergy to it.I have since learned the hard way,he was right in being concerned.I have managed to survive 5 nasty reactions,but I have some major medical problems from the reactions & treatments. My son was tested 4 years ago,due to his food cross allergies.he too is allergic,but not as bad as I am..Mostly due to the amount of contact I had as an assistant for 8 years & working 5 years in a printing shop. you can send me email if you have any further questions <[email protected]> use "latex allergy" in the subject so I don't think it's junk or spam. best of luck with it