Latex allergy

Not every glove rash is latex allergy. Dry, cracked hands from frequent washing and gloves are often irritation. A delayed, eczema-like rash a day or two after contact is often a reaction to chemicals added during rubber manufacturing. That is a different, non-IgE mechanism, checked with patch tests by a dermatologist, not with this blood test.

IgE latex allergy is the fast type. People describe hives, itching or swelling within minutes of contact, sometimes a runny nose or itchy eyes from glove powder in the air, and in some cases wheezing.

Some latex proteins look like proteins in certain foods. This is often called latex-fruit syndrome. The foods most often named are banana, avocado, kiwi and chestnut. Banana, avocado and kiwi are on the panel; chestnut is not. Others such as papaya and passion fruit come up less often.

Not everyone with latex sensitisation reacts to these foods, and not everyone who reacts to banana is sensitised to latex. A doctor can interpret the pattern.

Repeated contact raises the chance. Healthcare workers, people who have had many operations, and people in jobs with daily glove use have historically shown higher rates. Powder-free and non-latex gloves have reduced exposure in many workplaces.

If you have a strong reaction to latex, tell every doctor, dentist and hospital you visit, so they can use latex-free equipment. Severe swelling or trouble breathing is an emergency: call 112 (EU) or your local emergency number.

The lab measures IgE to five single natural rubber latex proteins (molecular components). There is no whole latex extract on the panel. Your lab report gives each a measured value and class, from Negative to Very high, on the same report as your banana, avocado and kiwi results. Single proteins are less likely than a whole latex extract to come up positive because of plant pollen or shared sugar structures, but sensitisation is still not the same as clinical allergy; discuss the result with a doctor.