Alternatives To Latex Condoms
If you have a latex allergy, you and your partner might consider using non-condom contraceptives. For example, there’s the Pill, an intrauterine device , the patch, and so on. Luckily, these methods help prevent pregnancy very effectively.
However, condoms provide the best protection against STIs . For this reason, experts still recommend using a condom when youre not in a long-term relationship with a single partner. In fact, you should use a condom even if one of you is on another form of contraceptive.
Thankfully, there are other options to latex condoms for people who have allergies. For example, you could try:
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Polyurethane condoms: These are made out of thin plastic.
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Polyisoprene condoms: Theyre made out of synthetic rubber.
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Lambskin condom: Theyre made out of lamb intestine . Sure, these sound a little exotic. However, theyre a natural type of condom that humans have used for centuries.
Dont let a latex allergy stop you from having a healthy sex life. Talk to your doctor about other methods of contraception that are available to you. After all, you deserve to have fun just as much as everyone else.
Why Does A Latex Allergy Happen
When youre exposed to latex and you have a latex allergy, it causes a chain reaction in your body that starts in your immune system, the AAAAI explains. Your immune system, which controls how your body defends itself, overreacts by producing antibodies called Immunoglobulin E that can react with contaminating proteins found in latex. The antibodies then travel to cells that release chemicals, causing an allergic reaction in your body.
Its unclear why, exactly, some people develop a latex allergy, but the Mayo Clinic says that repeated exposure may increase sensitivity to the material. So people with spina bifida , health care workers, those who have been through several surgeries or medical procedures, and rubber industry workers are at the highest risk of having a latex allergy.
Just a heads up: There seems to be a link between having a latex allergy and reactions to certain foods, like avocados, chestnuts, kiwis, and bananas. Its likely because they have similar proteins to the ones in natural latex, according to the AAAAI. If those foods give you trouble, theres a chance you could have an issue with latex.
What Foods Are Related To Latex
People with latex allergies may also develop allergic reactions to some fruits and vegetables. About half of people with a latex allergy may develop allergy symptoms from avocado, banana or kiwi.
This happens due to cross reactivity. Some of the proteins in natural rubber latex are similar to those found in cross-reactive fruits and vegetables.
At the same time, people with food allergies to certain fruits and vegetables may have allergic reactions to latex. This may occur in approximately 10% of food allergic individuals.
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Latex Allergy Home Triggers
An allergy to latex can become worse the more you come in contact with it. If you know you have this condition, be aware of products that may have the potential to cause a reaction. Ask your doctor if you need to avoid them.
Many items have latex in them. Read product labels carefully. You may need to ask product makers to be sure.
Home goods that are made with latex include:
- Rubber sink stoppers and sink mats
- Gloves for dishwashing and household cleaning
- Rubber or rubber-grip utensils
- Adult undergarments that contain rubber
- Waterproof bed pads containing rubber
- Undergarments, socks, and other clothing with elastic bands that contain rubber
- Adhesives such as glue, paste, art supplies, glue pens
- Older Barbie dolls and other dolls that are made of rubber
- Rubber bands, mouse and keyboard cords, desktop and chair pads, rubber stamps
- Mouse and wrist pads containing rubber
- Keyboards and calculators with rubber keys or switches
- Pens with comfort grip or any rubber coating
- Remote controllers for TVs or recording devices with rubber grips or keys
- Camera, telescope, or binocular eyepieces
- Bathing caps and elastic in bathing suits
- Some rain boots and raincoats
Outside the home, latex is also in many items, such as:
- Grocery store checkout belts
What Are The Symptoms Of Latex Allergy
Signs of an allergic reaction to latex can be mild or severe. They can appear right after exposure to latex or up to a few hours later. You might not have symptoms the first time you come into contact with latex. Latex allergy symptoms include:
- Skin irritation: Itching, inflammation, redness and swelling appear after skin contact with latex. For example, you may have itchy lips after blowing up a balloon or vaginal irritation after having sex with a partner who used a latex condom.
- Rash: An itchy rash appears where the latex touched your skin. A latex allergy rash usually occurs within a day after exposure. The rash can spread if it touches skin on other parts of your body. But you can get a rash from other factors, such as using too much hand sanitizer or washing your hands too often.
- Hives, runny nose and sneezing: Itchy, watery eyes and inflammation around the nose and mouth are common. Eyes may become swollen and red.
- Trouble breathing: People who have severe allergic reactions may wheeze or have difficulty breathing. In severe cases, anaphylaxis may occur. Anaphylaxis can be fatal. If you or someone you know is having an allergic reaction and canât breathe, call 911 or go to the emergency room.
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Prevention And Treatment Of The Patient With Latex Allergy
Prevention of LA has focused on avoidance strategies for children who have SB, individuals who require multiple surgeries, as well as health-care workers and other occupations that require contact with natural rubber latex gloves.8793 The prototype patient for prevention of LA is the infant born with SB. These measures include complete abstinence of latex materials used in the care of these patients from birth. This means preventing contact with latex gloves, catheters, dressings, tape or other medical devices that contain latex in the hospital and home setting. Given the level of disability and the vast number of surgeries in these subjects, an opinion article to vastly change care and prevent LA was published in 1996. Given that over 40000 devices and materials contained natural rubber latex as a component, stopping all use of latex-containing materials became impractical. Avoiding the use of latex materials that were made by a dipping process with short vulcanization times and low heat was the most likely strategy to prevent allergic reactions. Indeed, the concept of latex safe environments vs latex-free environments turned out to be safe, practical and ideal for patients with LA.
Georgina Burke, in, 2006
Concessions When Seeing Medical Professionals
You cant forego medical treatment even if you have a latex allergy, but how do you safely navigate appointments with your dentist or primary care physician? Your allergist can also help you come up with a medical care safety plan you can use going forward.
Your allergist will likely recommend you contact your physician or dentist and tell them about your allergy. You might request that these medical professionals switch to latex-free gloves, using something like synthetic gloves instead. Keep in mind also that aerosols that contain latex can lead to an allergic reaction, so the use of these aerosols should be discontinued when youre around.
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Is There A Cure For Latex Allergy
There is no cure for a latex allergy. The only option is to avoid any contact with latex products. It can be difficult for people with an allergy because the use of latex gloves in almost any setting is extremely common. For example in a hospital setting, latex gloves are used in surgeries, emergency rooms and doctor appointments.
What Should I Do If I Have A Latex Allergy Reaction
Currently, theres no known cure for latex allergies, but a physician may prescribe you an antihistamine or steroid to help alleviate your symptoms when a reaction occurs. Those with irritated skin can also use corticosteroid medications, hydrocortisone cream, and calamine to relieve discomfort.
People with severe reactions may need to keep an adrenaline injector, or epinephrine auto-injector on them for when reactions occur. If you have a latex hypersensitivity reaction, you may need to call 911 immediately or seek the nearest emergency room for treatment.
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How Can I Safely Visit A Doctor Or Dentist
Tell them about your latex allergy at least 24 hours before your appointment. The hospital or doctor’s office should have a plan in place so they can use products like nonlatex gloves to treat you.
Ask for the first appointment in the morning. Even if your doctor or dentist uses latex-free gloves for you, there can be latex particles in the air from gloves used with other patients. You’re more likely to avoid these particles by getting there early.
If you have to stay in the hospital, you’ll usually be given your own room, free of products that might give you a reaction.
What Is A Skin Prick Test
This common test might be a little uncomfortable, but it isnât painful. Your provider puts a small amount of latex on your skin and scratches or pricks the skin with a needle. Scratching the skin allows a bit of latex to get under the surface.
If youâre allergic to latex, the area will become red and itchy. You may develop raised welts called wheals . The skin irritation and wheals show that your immune system is reacting. It usually takes about 15 to 30 minutes for a reaction to occur.
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How Can You Be Exposed To Latex
You can get exposed to latex:
- Through the skin, such as when you wear latex gloves
- Through mucous membranes, such as the eyes, mouth, , and rectum
- Through inhalation. Rubber gloves can contain cornstarch powder, which absorbs the latex and can become airborne when the gloves are removed.
- Through the blood. This can happen when some medical devices containing rubber are used.
Immediate Allergic Reactions To Latex
Immediate allergic reactions , are the most serious adverse reactions to latex. In people who have developed sensitivity to natural latex proteins, contact with latex releases the histamine into the tissues. The result is itching and hives with direct contact, like after wearing rubber gloves, or itchy swollen lips, face or tongue after blowing up balloons. Some people will develop irritation after wearing a condom, inserting a diaphragm for contraceptive purposes, or after visiting the dentist or hairdresser and coming into contact with latex.
Reactions can also occur when latex is inhaled, resulting in allergic rhinitis , or asthma like symptoms. This occurs most commonly in hospitals. The latex proteins can leach out of the gloves with sweaty hands and become attached to the powdered lubricant.
In environments where gloves are being changed frequently, latex on these fine particles can become suspended in the air like pollen.
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Deterrence And Patient Education
Education is crucial for the prevention of allergic reactions. Patients require information regarding foods likely to cause cross-reactions with latex sensitivity and any products that contain latex. It is also important to notify any members of the healthcare team involved with caring for the patient that there is an allergy. Patients must receive alternatives to latex products, and proper compliance will result in decreased risk of reactions.
Can Latex Mattresses Cause Allergy
You deserve a good nights sleep after a hectic day, and your mattress plays an essential role in the quality of sleep youll get. Many people prefer latex mattresses since its one of the best types on todays market.
Should you get a latex mattress? Around 1% of the US populationTrusted SourceLatex Allergy | AAFA.orgIn some cases, latex allergy can cause anaphylactic shock. Learn how to manage your latex allergy and prevent allergic reactions.www.aafa.org is allergic to latex, in which case you may need a different kind of mattresses. That percentage is very low, but we cant ignore that. Theres also the question of what causes latex mattress allergy. Its worth it to do your research, so you dont worry for no reason or place yourself or a family member in danger. Luckily there are other mattresses you can consider if you do realize you cant use latex.
But if you want the best on the market, read up on this topic below so you can do your shopping with peace of mind.
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What Causes Latex Allergic Reactions
During an IgE-mediated allergic reaction, your bodyâs immune system overreacts to a substance that isnât harmful to most people. Your immune system tries to protect you by releasing a chemical called histamine into your bloodstream. Histamine causes symptoms of an allergic reaction. You may experience hives, runny nose and trouble breathing.
An allergic reaction to latex can happen when you touch or come into contact with latex products. Your immune system may also react if you breathe in tiny latex particles in the air. You may not have a reaction the first time youâre exposed to latex. With each exposure, your allergic reactions may get worse.
How Do Doctors Diagnose A Latex Allergy
If you think you may be allergic to latex, see a board-certified allergist to confirm the allergy. To diagnose a latex allergy, the doctor will ask you about your medical history and do a physical exam. If they think you have a latex allergy, they may order an allergy skin test or blood test. Your doctor will compare your test results with your history and physical exam to diagnose a latex allergy.
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Can Someone Develop An Allergy To Latex Later In Life
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What Causes Latex Allergy
Allergic reactions are caused by the immune system reacting to latex antigens on the surface of latex gloves and other products made from latex. Touching powder latex gloves or inhaling particles in the air can trigger a reaction within minutes. Once an allergy is developed, exposure to latex products will cause further reactions in the future.
Essentially, the immune system recognizes latex as a potentially toxic agent and produces antibodies to combat it. These antibodies tell your immune system to release histamine and other chemicals into your bloodstream the next time you’re exposed to latex, resulting in a variety of allergy signs and symptoms.
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What If I Think I Have Latex Allergy
If you develop symptoms of latex allergy, avoid direct contact with latex gloves and other latex-containing products until you can see a physician experienced in treating latex allergy.
If you have latex allergy, consult your physician regarding the following precautions:
- Avoid contact with latex gloves and products.
- Avoid areas where you might inhale the powder from latex gloves worn by other workers.
- Tell your employer and health care providers that you have latex allergy.
- Wear a medical alert bracelet.
Types Of Latex Allergies
There are three types of latex reactions:
1. Irritant contact dermatitis. This is the least-threatening type, and itâs not an allergic skin reaction. It usually happens due to repeated exposure to chemicals in latex gloves and leads to dryness, itching, burning, scaling, and skin problems. This generally starts 12-24 hours after contact.
2. Allergic contact dermatitis. This is a delayed reaction to additives used in latex processing. It results in the same type of reactions as irritant contact dermatitis. But the reaction is more severe, spreads to more parts of the body, and lasts longer. Symptoms can start anywhere from 1 to 4 days after you’ve come in contact with latex.
3. Immediate allergic reaction . This one is the most serious. It can show up as a nasal allergy with hay fever-like symptoms, conjunctivitis , cramps, hives, and severe itching. Itâs rare, but symptoms may also include rapid heartbeat, tremors, chest pain, trouble breathing, low blood pressure, or anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening.
If you have severe symptoms, call your doctor or 911 immediately, or go to the nearest emergency room.
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Who Is Likely To Have A Latex Allergy
Certain groups of people tend to have a greater risk of developing a latex allergy. These groups include:
- People who have had many surgeries or medical procedures for example, children with spina bifida or people who frequently use catheters containing latex
- Health care workers and other people who often wear latex gloves
- People with other allergies, such as allergic rhinitis and food allergies
New cases of latex allergy arent as common now. Rates were higher in the 1980s and 90s when health care workers used latex products more often. Now many health care facilities use non-latex gloves and products.
What Foods Should I Avoid If I Have A Latex Allergy
Several foods can cause an allergic reaction in people with a latex allergy. Most people with latex allergy are not allergic to these foods, and you should only avoid them if directed by your allergy/ immunology healthcare provider. Foods more likely to cause a reaction in people with latex allergy include:
- Fruits such as apples, bananas, avocados, peaches, kiwi, nectarines, melon, figs, papayas and tomatoes.
- Vegetables such as potatoes, celery and carrots.
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