Latex Is Used In A Large Number Of Products
Latex or natural rubber is the substance obtained from the sap of the Hevea brasiliensis tree. After the addition of preservatives and stabilisers, it is dipped into a mould, then heated and dried. During manufacturing, chemicals are added to render latex elastic and stable to heat by vulcanisation . Further chemicals are added for strength and durability, including mercaptobenzothiazole, thiurams and carbamates. Sometimes a dry powder lubricant , is added to the surface of the latex to prevent the rubber surfaces from sticking together.
Allergic reactions can occur to latex protein as well as the chemicals added to it, but not to cornstarch itself. However, when gloves are worn, latex protein can be leached from the glove and stick to the cornstarch particles. When gloves are changed, these particles can become airborne and spread latex allergen into the local environment.
Many commercial products contain natural rubber latex. These include bandages, baby bottle teats, baby dummies, rubber bands, clothing elastic, rubber toys, rubber grips and a wide range of medical equipment. Allergic reactions usually occur after exposure to dipped products like gloves, balloons and condoms. Products made from crepe latex rubber , are unlikely to cause allergic reactions.
People At Increased Risk Of Latex Allergy
Certain people are at increased risk of developing latex allergy including:
- health care workers who are frequently exposed to latex through medical equipment like gloves
- people who have had many operations, particularly from a young age, such as those with spina bifida
- people who work in latex manufacturing
- people with pre-existing allergies, hay fever, asthma and eczema
- people with allergies to particular foods, including avocado and banana.
How Do I Know If I Have A Latex Allergy
Youll know if you have a latex allergy quite quickly after using a latex product. Symptoms such as an itchy rash can begin within a few minutes of exposure.
You may notice these symptoms for the first time after blowing up a balloon, using a condom, or having a medical procedure from a doctor or dentist wearing medical gloves.
Whats worth bearing in mind is that, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, a latex allergy tends to develop after many previous exposures to latex. In other words, you could have used latex products several times in the past without having any reaction.
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How Long Do Symptoms Last
It depends on how severe of a reaction you had and how its been treated, if at all. People with a severe allergic reaction to latex may need to either carry injectable epinephrine with them at all times, or go to the E.R. for an immediate injection of epinephrine, the Mayo Clinic says. That injection should help stop your symptoms quickly. If you have a less severe reaction, your doctor may prescribe antihistamines or corticosteroids, which can help control your symptoms.
In the case of condoms, it can vary. If you consistently have a reaction following sex with latex condomsusually within a day and lasting one to four daysand the symptoms are not present otherwise or after sex without the latex condom, then an allergy should be suspected, Dr. Schaffir says.
What Are The Negative Effects Of Condoms
What are the disadvantages of male condoms?
- a moderately high failure rate when used improperly or inconsistently.
- the potential for diminished sensation.
- skin irritation, such as contact dermatitis, due to latex sensitivity or allergy.
- allergic reactions to spermicides, lubes, scents, and other chemicals in the condoms.
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Use Of An Allergy Bracelet
Your allergist might also suggest you wear an allergy bracelet indicating that you have a latex allergy. If you were ever rendered unconscious or unable to respond because of your latex allergy, the medical bracelet would tell those around you what your allergy is. Someone could then contact emergency services to get you the help you need promptly.
If youre in anaphylactic shock, which can happen if your latex allergy is serious, then you need assistance immediately to save your life. You dont want to leave the house without your allergy bracelet then.
When To Consult With A Doctor Or Other Healthcare Professional
According to Laura Berman, host of The Language of Love podcast and sexual health expert at Promescent, erectile dysfunction is one of the most common sexual concerns among people with penises.
Its completely manageable and nothing to be ashamed of, she says. There are so many ways that you can deal with this common sexual dysfunction and more resources and medications than ever before.
And talking with a healthcare professional about your concerns can help you access those medications and resources sooner rather than later if youre a good candidate for them.
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How Common Is It To Have A Latex Allergy
Natural rubber comes from latex of rubber trees. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, about 1 percent of the countrys population is allergic to latex. While most individuals do not experience a latex allergy when using condoms, certain high-risk groups tend to develop latex allergic reactions more easily.
As a result of repeated exposure, a latex allergy or sensitivity can gradually develop over time. Health care workers and others who regularly use latex gloves have an increased likelihood of being allergic to latex. Before non-latex gloves were widely available, latex sensitivity was becoming increasingly prevalent in the health care industry. Children with spina bifida, as well as those undergoing frequent medical treatment or surgery, also exhibit a higher incidence of allergies to latex.
Lastly, if youve been diagnosed with any other types of allergies, theres a good chance that a latex allergy could eventually crop up. This includes asthma, eczema, hay fever, and food sensitivities to potatoes, apples, avocados, carrots, celery, chestnuts, kiwis, bananas, melons, papayas, or tomatoes.
Signs Of A Latex Allergy
Latex is a protein in the sap of Brazilian rubber trees. You can find latex in many everyday products, including condoms. If youre allergic, exposure to latex condoms may cause symptoms like:
Exposure to latex condoms can even cause a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis. This causes severe breathing difficulty and a sudden drop in blood pressure, which is potentially fatal.
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Can Poinsettia Plants Cause Latex Allergy Reaction
The poinsettia plant, used for holiday decorating, is botanically related to natural rubber latex. When the leaves or stems are broken, it releases a milky white substance that can cause reaction in latex allergic individuals.
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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 Allergic People May Also Be Sensitive To Certain Foods
Some proteins in latex are also present in foods, and some people with latex allergy find that certain foods cause an itchy mouth or throat swelling. The most common foods described are banana, avocado, kiwi fruit, passionfruit, plums, strawberry and tomato. These foods do not have to be avoided routinely, unless they cause problems.
How Long Will Sex Last With Delay Or Extended Pleasure Condoms
Theres a wide range of answers for how long sex could last, whether youre using longer-lasting condoms or not, says Deysach.
How long sex lasts will depend on several factors, including:
- what you qualify as sex
- how recently you last had sex
- what other sexual activities came before the sex
- your current stress and hydration levels
- your recent mental health, nutrient intake, physical activity, and relational happiness
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Are There Any Long
No, says Kaminetsky. The numbing agents used in these products have been around for years and are generally well-tolerated by most people.
If you typically have sensitive skin, take the time to test the agent before partnered play.
To do this, turn the condom inside out and rub the agent along the inside of your wrist or elbow. Cover the area with a bandaid for 10 to 30 minutes. Then, remove the bandage and check for any signs of irritation.
If your skin gets red, blotchy, or itchy, you probably have a sensitivity to the ingredients.
What Is A Latex Allergy
Latex is a natural stretchy rubber sap that comes from rubber trees and is found in much more than balloons and rubber gloves. Latex can also appear in all sorts of items like paint, toys, and bandages.
If you have a latex allergy or you suspect that you do, you probably have some questions like How do you know if youre allergic to latex? or What treatment options are available for a latex allergy?
In this article, well address those questions and many others, so you pursue a diagnosis and treatment for your latex allergy.
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Who Can Get Latex Allergies
As with nearly all medical conditions, specific groups of people are at higher risk of developing latex condom allergies.
When To See A Healthcare Provider
If youre experiencing any discomfort from symptoms of using latex condoms, make an appointment with your healthcare provider. During your visit, openly discuss the specific symptoms youve experienced. From that discussion along with a physical examination, your healthcare provider will determine the next steps, which may include a blood test to see if latex antibodies are found in your blood.
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Latex Condom Allergy Symptoms
Topical symptoms of latex condoms include itching, swelling, and redness around the skin and genitals. Systemic symptoms may include hives and a stuffy, runny nose, and may also cause asthma.
Allergic contact dermatitis, a secondary symptom, may crop up due to the chemicals used to manufacture rubber items, including condoms.Anaphylaxis is the most serious latex allergy symptom that involves severe breathing difficulties and shock as a result of blood pressure dramatically dropping.
Patients With Latex Sensitivity
The following guidelines are summarised FDA advice to health professionals to ensure a patient’s latex allergy is not overlooked:
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How Long Should Sex Last
Put your metaphorical and literal stopwatch away! Theres no set amount of time that sex needs to last to be pleasurable.
Dont worry: We wont leave it at that. We will answer the question youre asking.
The answer, however, depends on how you define sex.
Sex is any meaningful act of pleasure, says psychotherapist and sex and relationship expert Rachel Wright, LMFT. Meaning, that anything be it a hand job, cunnilingus, rimming, grinding, or co-showering can qualify as sex.
Given how varied all these sex acts are, it makes sense that theres no set time for sex to last. Right?
But even for these types of sex, theres no set amount of time sex should last.
That said, found that P-in-V sex lasting 3 to 7 minutes was considered adequate, while 7 to 13 minutes was considered desirable. .
The same study concluded that P-in-V sex lasting under 3 minutes was a sign of erectile dysfunction.
- Bottle size: 20 sprays
Desensitizing sprays and wipes decrease the sensation of the penile skin using local anesthetics, says Kaminetsky.
As with desensitizing wipes , the main draw of a product like a spray is that its not, well, a condom!
So, its a great option for partners who are already fluid bonded or who dont like using a barrier method.
- Pack size: 3 wipes
Made by Him, a company known for its sexual health products, these wipes can be used alongside lube and other pleasure aids.
Why Does An Allergic Reaction Last So Long
There are a lot of factors that influence the duration of an allergic reaction. The allergic reaction may seem to be getting better with time. Allergic reactions do take time to go away because the body heals itself slowly and gradually. Though some may not last for more than a few hours, others could last for a reasonably long duration.
Most of these reactions are reversible but do require some sort of precautions and treatments. Like it could be a good option to take a medicated bath for body reactions like rashness and itching, as it could give relief. Sometimes a reaction can be minor and the symptoms seem like a one-time reaction, that is, face itches for a while after eating it. Similarly, reactions from certain foods could require medical treatment.
People with food allergies must always avoid even a small quantity of that food. It can take a long time for the body to completely remove protein from foods, so it is advisable to take antihistamines available at home. In the case of seasonal allergies, a variety of treatments are available. What works best depends on your allergen-inducing immune system and other personal factors. One way is to leave an area where allergies are prevalent.
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What Are Health Care Facilities Doing To Protect People With Latex Allergy
Hospitals and health care facilities are beginning to create latex-safe treatment areas and surgical suites to accommodate people who are allergic to latex. Check with your local hospital. Some facilities have also set up systems for identification of staff and patients with latex allergy. In addition, many facilities have moved to low protein, powder-free or nonlatex gloves.
What Are Symptoms Of Latex Allergy
Latex allergy symptoms range from skin irritation to respiratory symptoms to life-threatening anaphylaxis and theres no way to predict which will occur if exposed.
Symptoms of latex allergy may be mild at first, progressing to more serious types of symptoms.
Symptoms of latex allergy include:
A latex allergy reaction can also result in anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction.
Symptoms can start within seconds of exposure to latex or may not appear until hours later. The allergic reaction can be different each time a person experiences anaphylaxis and can vary in severity each time. Once the reaction starts, it usually progresses quickly. This makes identifying anaphylaxis and responding to care tricky at times.
A board-certified healthcare professional, often an allergist, makes the diagnosis of latex allergy, as well as contact dermatitis and/or irritant dermatitis. The healthcare professional uses a combination of medical history, physical exam and various laboratory and clinical tests. Laboratory testing alone is not enough to make a diagnosis.
Patients are encouraged to provide a full list of items and foods that may have caused a latex-allergic reaction to help determine whether latex allergy is present.
Read Also: How Long Do Allergy Symptoms Last After Exposure
Diagnosis Of Latex Allergy
Latex allergy is diagnosed using a number of tests including:
- medical history
- physical examination
- allergy testing, including skin prick tests and blood tests.
It is important to note that other so-called allergy tests, including vega testing, alcat tests, kinesiology, pulse testing and Rinkels intradermal testing are not medically or scientifically proven methods to confirm any form of allergy.
More information about these tests is available on the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy website.
Management Of Latex Allergy Involves Careful Avoidance
If you are latex allergic you should:
- Avoid latex in all its forms, and particularly avoid latex coming near your skin, face, eyes, nose or throat. Latex substitutes exist and can be used if required.
- Be aware that some condoms and diaphragms used for contraception contain latex and should be avoided. Latex-free condoms are now available from stores and websites.
- Wear a medical identifications bracelet, stating you are allergic to latex. If you are unconscious or confused and need emergency treatment, then the nurses and doctors will be made aware of this.
- Carry your own supply of non-latex gloves , in case of an emergency.
- Advise doctors and dentists well in advance of any surgical operation, dental treatment, Pap smear, blood tests or x-ray to ensure that latex is not used.
- Use vinyl or synthetic rubber gloves, if it is necessary to wear gloves.
- Avoid takeaway food which is prepared or served by food handlers wearing latex gloves.
- Consider avoiding occupations where latex is very difficult to avoid such as nursing, dentistry, medicine, veterinary science, hairdressing or food preparation.
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