Latex Allergy Test

This IgE allergy test uses a small blood sample to determine if you are allergic to Latex, a common allergy. Latex allergies are believed to be brought on by repeated exposure to latex.

Who Does Latex Affect?
Latex allergies are believed to be brought on by repeated exposure to latex.

• Healthcare workers (up to 10% of workers in this field have developed a latex allergy)
• A deformed bladder or urinary tract (catheter users)
• Those who work in industries that produce or use latex often
• A history of multiple surgeries (exposed to medical equipment that uses latex)
• Individuals with food allergies to bananas, avocados, kiwis, or chestnuts

Common Latex Products
According to the American Latex Allergy Association, common latex items include: Gloves, Balloons, Condoms, Diaphragms, Bandages (Adhesives), Therapy / Resistance bands, Koosh® balls, Pacifiers/Baby Bottle Nipples, Gutta Perch/Gutta Balota (used to seal root canals), Dental dams, Orthodontic elastics, Blood pressure cuffs, Stethoscope tubing, Tourniquets, Red Rubber Catheters, Vial stoppers, Dishwashing gloves, Erasers, Rubber bands, Elastic, Spandex, and Latex Mattresses.

Exposure Routes

• Through the skin: like wearing latex gloves or condoms.
• Through mucous membranes: including the eyes, mouth, vagina, and rectum.
• Through inhalation: rubber gloves and other items may contain a powder that can be inhaled.
• Through the blood: may occur when some medical devices containing rubber are used.

Latex Reactions
There are three types of latex reactions, two of which are allergic reactions.

• Irritant contact dermatitis: is the least threatening type of latex reaction, and is not considered an allergenic skin reaction. Irritant contact dermatitis typically occurs as a result of repeated exposure to chemicals in latex gloves and results in dryness, itching, burning, scaling and lesions of the skin.

• Allergic contact dermatitis: Caused by a delayed reaction to additives used in latex processing, allergic contact dermatitis results in the same type of reactions as irritant contact dermatitis (dryness, itching, burning, scaling and lesions of the skin), however the reaction, is more severe and longer-lasting and spreads to even more parts of the body.

• Immediate allergic reaction (latex hypersensitivity): is the most serious reaction to latex. It can show up as rhinitis (chronic sneezing or having a congested, drippy nose) with hay fever-like symptoms, conjunctivitis (pink eye), cramps, hives and also as severe itching. Although immediate allergic reactions to latex are rare, their symptoms can progress to include rapid heartbeat, tremors, chest pain, difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, anaphylactic shock, or can lead to death.

Traditional allergy tests utilize the Skin Prick method (also known as a Puncture or Scratch test) to determine whether an allergic reaction will occur by inserting possible triggers into your skin using a needle prick. If you are allergic to the substance, you are forced to suffer through your body's reaction to the allergen. HealthLabs.com offers an easier, virtually pain-free blood test to determine the allergen status of substances without the irritation of traditional skin prick tests.

• No painful skin pricks
• No fasting necessary
• Accurate results within 1 to 2 days

Our quick blood test allows us to use your blood sample to test for allergic reactions externally, rather than causing unnecessary and painful reactions by introducing potential allergens to your system. Tests are administered in approximately 10 minutes or less at any of our 4,500+ nationwide locations. No appointments, no paperwork and no waiting are all part of what makes HealthLabs.com the best option for pain-free and hassle-free allergy testing.