Definition
Latex allergy is a violent and exaggerated reaction of the immune system triggered by the contact or inhalation of proteins ( eveins ) present in natural rubber latex.
Causes
Latex allergy occurs after contact with latex-containing products: in sensitive subjects, latex proteins are recognized by the body as foreign and potentially dangerous substances, which must necessarily be removed and eradicated. For this reason, the immune system triggers an exaggerated reaction against the eveine, which causes the mast cells to produce and release large amounts of histamine.
Symptoms
Contact or inhalation of latex particles can trigger purely cutaneous reactions (reddening of the skin, intense itching, hives, swelling of the skin, vesicles, erythematous lesions), or be associated with respiratory problems (asthma, cough, hypoxia, rhinitis). In severe cases, latex allergy degenerates into a true anaphylactic shock.
Information on Latex Allergies - Latex Allergy Treatment Drugs is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Latex Allergy - Latex Drug Treatment.
drugs
Since it is an allergic reaction, there is no complete solution for latex allergy: the most effective treatment is prevention, which consists in avoiding any contact with latex-based products as much as possible.
The cure for latex allergy is purely symptomatic, so it essentially consists in alleviating the symptoms triggered by the allergic reaction.
Fortunately, most often, latex allergy is easily reversible by an anti-histamine cure (eg cetrizine, fexofenadine). As we know, antihistamine drugs prevent or alleviate latex allergy symptoms by inhibiting the action of histamine. If necessary, you can apply cortisone creams on the skin that shows signs of allergy. Steroid drugs, in fact, exert an excellent anti-inflammatory activity, therefore useful for warding off itching, redness and inflammation, speeding up healing time. Some doctors recommend oral administration of cortisone drugs: in similar situations, the inflammatory process triggered by the allergy is generally more serious.
Different discourse must be addressed for patients suffering from severe allergic latex forms: as we know, extreme latex sensitization can trigger even very serious adverse reactions, such as anaphylactic shock. In similar situations, it is necessary to intervene promptly, by means of an epinephrine injection. Not surprisingly, particularly sensitive patients should always carry a pre-dosed adrenaline pen, for an emergency self-injection.
The most effective cure for latex allergy is to avoid any possible contact with latex materials. Repeated latex exposures may increase sensitivity.
Antihistamines with oral intake : indicated for the control of the most common symptoms associated with latex allergy (eg intense itching, redness of the skin, hives).
- Cetirizine (eg Rinalgit, Leviorinil, Reactine, Suspiria, Zyrtec): available both in tablets to be swallowed and in chewable sweets. It is recommended to take 5-10 mg of active per day.
- Desloratadine (Es. Neoclarityn, azomyr, aerius): it is a drug widely used in therapy for the treatment of allergic rhinitis and urticaria. However, it can also be taken to control skin symptoms derived from a more or less violent allergic reaction to latex. Start the therapy by taking 5 mg of the drug orally, once a day; always continue with the same indication. The duration of therapy should be established by the doctor based on the response to the treatment and the severity of the condition.
- Fexofenadine (eg Fixodin, Telfast): for the treatment of latex allergy symptoms, it is recommended to take the drug orally at a dose of 60 mg, twice a day; alternatively, take 180 mg of active once a day, with water.
- Chlorpheniramine (eg Trimeton): the drug is particularly used in therapy to alleviate symptoms induced by urticaria, regardless of the cause that triggered it. From what has been said, it is understood that the drug is also used in therapy for the treatment of hives associated with latex allergy. The drug is available in the form of tablets or syrup; the dose indicated for treating hives is 4 mg, to be taken orally, every 4-6 hours. The drug can also be administered in the form of slow-release tablets: in this case, the indicative dose varies from 8 to 16 mg, to be taken by mouth every 8-12 hours, or 16 mg orally, once a day, at need. Do not exceed 32 mg a day.
Topical steroid drugs
Found in the form of ointments, ointments, foam or gel, corticosteroids are excellent remedies for latex allergy. These pharmacological preparations are applied locally, directly on the point of contact between skin and latex. The application of corticosteroid based ointments gives relief in a few minutes from itching, redness and swelling. The most used drugs in therapy are:
- Betamethasone (eg celestone, bentelan, diprosone)
- Hydrocortisone (eg Locoidon, Colifoam)
- Clobetasol (eg. Clobesol cream, Clobetasol PFA ointment, Olux cutaneous foam)
The drugs are applied to the skin to suppress inflammatory disorders induced by latex allergy. The drugs are applied 1-3 times a day, depending on the severity of the symptoms. Always consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
Oral steroid drugs
If the symptoms of latex allergy are more serious, it is possible to take cortisone orally, clearly after prescription. For example:
- Prednisone (eg. Deltacortene, Lodotra): to treat the symptoms of medium and severe entities associated with latex allergy, it is recommended to take the drug at the indicative dose of 20-30 mg. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
Local anesthetics
It is not uncommon for the itching and irritation created by latex allergy to cause an unpleasant perception of tension and limited pain. In similar situations, it is possible to apply creams or ointments with anesthetic action:
- Tetracaine (or Pantocaine): belonging to the pharmacological class of local anesthetics, this drug is recommended to calm pain associated with itching, a typical symptom of latex allergy. Before applying the product on the skin, it is recommended to thoroughly cleanse the affected area.
- Lidocaine (eg Xylocaina, Lidofast, Luan CHIR): it is a local application anesthetic, widely used in therapy to reduce pain associated with latex allergy. It is often formulated together with steroids such as hydrocostisone (eg Proctosedyl), useful for enhancing the anti-inflammatory effect. Lidocaine is often also associated with prilocaine (eg Emla).
Adrenaline or epinephrine
Adrenaline is the drug of excellence for treating allergy-induced anaphylaxis in general, including latex. Let us briefly recall that anaphylactic shock is an extremely dangerous allergic reaction, which puts the life of the affected patient at risk. Anaphylaxis can cause severe respiratory disorders, severe hypotension, bradycardia / tachycardia, loss of consciousness and death by suffocation. The latex reaction anaphylaxis should be treated with adrenaline injections, associated with intravenous fluid administration.
- Adrenaline or epinephrine (eg Jext, Adrenal, Fastjekt): the drug is a powerful muscular vasodilator, useful to prevent obstruction of the respiratory tract in case of anaphylaxis from contact with latex. Patients who are predisposed to it should always carry an adrenaline syringe for emergency self-injection. It is recommended to administer the drug intramuscularly at the dosage of 0.3-0.5 ml in the adult and 0.01 ml / kg (max. 0.3 mg) in the child, immediately after the manifestation of the typical symptoms of anaphylaxis from contact with latex. Repeat the administration every 5-15 minutes, depending on the severity of the condition. Administer the drug intravenously only when the anaphylaxis is very serious, since the drug could generate tachyarrhythmia: in this case, it is recommended to inject a dose of 2-10 mcg / min; only rarely are doses higher than 20 mcg / min required. In cases of extreme severity, the drug is administered intracardiacally (direct injection into the left ventricle: 0.3-0.5 mg) or endotracheal (1 mg). The effect of adrenaline is not lasting; the drug generates cold sweats and frozen extremities.
To alleviate any respiratory symptoms induced by a severe allergic reaction to latex (eg bronchospasm associated with anaphylaxis), it is possible to administer albuterol or other beta-agonists via the nose.
To avoid serious consequences, it is always recommended to report your allergy to latex to your doctor or dentist.
