Cranberry - Producer of Medical Gloves for Dentists

Education > Latex Allergy

Latex Allergy

	Causative Agent	Dermal Reactions	Diagnosis
Latex Allergy Type I Immediate) Hypersensitive or NRL Protein Allergy	Latex Protein from rubber tree (Hevea Brasiliensis)	Occur as soon as two to three minutes or as long as several hours after skin or mucus membrane contact with the protein allergen Acute: Swelling, Hives, Runny nose, Nausea, Abdominal Cramps, Dizziness, Low blood pressure, bronchospasm & Anaphy laxiz Chronic: same as above, potential for more severe reaction	By skin prick test, blood test and consultation with an allergist.
Allergic Contact Dermatitis Type IV (Delayed) Hypsensitivity	Chemical contact sensitizers used in glove manufacture: antioxidant, accelerators, preservatives.	Symptoms can occur up to arm beyond the boundary of gloves contact · Acute: Red appearance, small blister. Chronic: Dry thickened skin, crusting, scabbing sores, vesicles, peeling	By skin patch test or by consultation with dermatologist
Irritant Contact Dermatitis	Excessive perspiration, insufficient rinsing and drying of hands, irritating glove chemicals used in glove manufacture.	Usually confined to the area of glove contact Acute: Red, scalded appearance, excessive dryness Chronic: Dry thickened skin, crusting, deep painful cracking, scabbing sores, peeling	By exclusion of Type I and Type IV hypersensitivity Not the result of an immunological reaction