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Latex Allergy
| What is latex allergy? |
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Latex is a natural rubber harvested from trees and
used in many consumer products. Allergy to natural rubber latex
is now being recognized as an increasingly serious medical problem
that affects not only health care workers, but the general population
as well. The incidence of latex allergy, which now approaches 25
percent for health care workers (physicians, nurses, dentist, dental
hygienists, and dental assistants) and two percent of other people,
increased dramatically since the 1980's, due in large part to the
increased use of latex gloves by health care workers in order to
protect patients and themselves from HIV infection and other diseases.
Latex also is present in many household items, including baby
bottle nipples, balloons, some bandages, condoms, diaphragms, elastics
in garments and socks, erasers, hoses, makeup, rubber bands, stretch
textiles, and many toys.
Latex allergy can be a significant problem because:
- Almost everybody is exposed to latex.
- Some people are allergic to latex and don't know it.
- The more an unsuspecting allergic person is exposed to latex the
more serious the reaction can become.
- People who already have allergies ( hay fever, reactions to
animal dander, eczema, ect.) are more susceptible to additional
allergies.
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| What are the symptoms of latex
allergy? |
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Latex allergies can cause nausea, low blood
pressure, and respiratory arrest. Symptoms begin within minutes
after contact with the protein allergens in latex. The more
common latex allergy is less serious. The symptoms include dry
skin, hives, tingling sensations, or itching and symptoms usually
appear 48-72 hours after the initial exposure. The most serious
manifestation of latex allergy, anaphylactic shock, is the same
reaction that people who are allergic to bee stings and penicillin get
when stung or injected with the antibiotic. |
| Who faces special risk to latex
allergy? |
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People who are continually exposed to latex, have spinal
bifida, or have had multiple surgeries are at a higher risk of
developing an allergy to latex. |
| Is contact with gloves the only
problem? |
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Serious reactions are also due to continuous
inhalation of the powder which lines latex gloves and become airborne
when the gloves are "snapped off" during removal. The powder
contains latex protein (the allergen) and can remain suspended
in the air for up to 12 hours. Continuous exposure to such an environment
can cause an asthma-like reaction where the individual has difficulty
in breathing ,coughing spells, itchy throat, chest pains, tiredness,
sneezing, tearing, runny nose, ext. These symptoms, common to
many other diseases, often are misdiagnosed. |
| What should I do if I am
allergic to latex? |
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If you suspect that you are allergic to latex,
inform your dentist before treatment. Gloves made from other
materials are available for your dentist to use. If you are not
aware that you have the allergy (which many people are not) and you
suffer symptoms following a dental procedure or from contact with any
latex products, seek treatment immediately, and inform your dentist. |
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Our Mission Statement
Dr. Standlee and his staff are committed to improve the health and well
being of our patients through excellent restorative and esthetic
dentistry. We will provide our services in a caring and comfortable
atmosphere. Our unique practice specializes in quality patient care.
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