Category Archives: Allergens

What Is A Latex Allergy?

What is a latex allergy? Manufacturers make latex from a rubber tree, and it includes various proteins that can trigger an allergic reaction. Latex is not a harmful substance, but when you have a latex allergy, your immune system considers the material to be harmful. A latex allergy can induce reactions that include hives and itchiness. Other than that, this allergy can also lead to anaphylaxis and have a life-threatening effect on your body. When you have anaphylaxis shocks, you will find it difficult to breathe as your throat will swell. An immunologist can diagnose and identify if you have a latex allergy. They can also identify if you’re at risk of developing one. You can prevent allergic reactions and serious consequences by understanding more about this condition. This article will help you understand more about latex allergy.

What is a Latex Allergy?
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Symptoms of a Latex Allergy?

When your body comes in contact with latex, you may experience an allergic reaction at the region of contact. You can call this rash or dermatitis. Here are some of the symptoms of latex allergy so that you can identify this health condition:

  • Eczema (cracking and weeping skin)
  • Hives
  • Skin rash
  • Itchy hands

These are temporary reactions and will go away naturally over time. The proteins in latex also become airborne. When this happens, the person allergic to it inhales and develops a severe condition. Symptoms of this condition are:

  • Dizziness
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Abdominal pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Stuffy or runny nose
  • Red skin
  • Tongue, lips, and skin swells

Causes

Your body considers latex as a threat to the body and triggers immune cells or antibodies to fight. When you face latex exposure again, antibodies signal the immune system that something is not right. Your body’s immune system releases chemicals, including histamine, which results in various symptoms. The symptoms grow worse if you are continuously in contact with latex. This condition is called sensitization. Latex will affect your body in different ways, depending on the condition. Below you will find those ways:

Through Direct Contact

This is the common reason to develop latex allergy. When you touch the latex material, you start reacting to the protein components. The items include balloons, condoms, and latex gloves.

Through Inhalation

All latex products, especially gloves, release airborne particles. When you inhale those protein particles, your immune system starts reacting, causing an allergic reaction. The quantity of airborne particles differs from one brand to another.

Manufacturers develop various latex products from man-made latex or synthetic latex, such as latex paint, which is mostly non-allergic.

Latex Allergy Diagnosis

Whether you develop any symptoms of an allergic reaction or not, your blood or skin tests will indicate if you are suffering from latex allergy. An immunologist will diagnose you by asking about any symptoms and conducting tests. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include trouble breathing, irritation, teary eyes, hives, skin rashes, and itching upon contact with latex or other rubber products. They will also perform various skin tests to check if you really have a latex allergy.

Treatment for Latex Allergy

Unfortunately, there is no treatment for this allergic condition. When you have a latex allergy, the only way to avoid any reaction is by preventing contact with the material. If you experience serious skin irritation, you can take corticosteroid medicines or antihistamines. However, if your condition is severe, you can control the reaction through IV fluids, epinephrine, and consulting a medical professional such as an immunologist. Some immunologists also recommend carrying epinephrine shots in case of an emergency. Other than that, you should carry around a card or a tag that informs passersby about your latex allergy.

What is a Latex Allergy? Allergies
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Visiting the Doctor

When you make an appointment with an immunologist or doctor, you need to inform them about your latex allergy. This way, your physician or dentist will avoid using any instrument that contains latex, such as gloves, etc. If your health condition requires that you stay in the hospital, they will keep you in a separate room without any product containing latex.

Food Triggers

Some fruits and vegetables contain proteins similar to those of latex. That can also trigger Latex allergy when you touch, smell, or eat that food. Some of these foods include wheat, tomato, potato, pineapple, hazelnut, kiwi, grape, cherry, banana, avocado, and many more.

Conclusion: Contact Top NYC Allergist Boyan Hadjiev

Sometimes, latex allergy triggers anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening. In this condition, your esophagus swells, and you will experience difficulty in breathing. While experiencing an allergic reaction, you should immediately visit an immunologist as they are experts in handling and treating conditions related to the immune system.

You can contact our offices to make an appointment with a professional immunologist. We also provide telemedicine so that you can avail of treatment through online live video chat and consult with Dr. Boyan Hadjiev instantly or call us at 212-319-5282.

Sources

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/latex-allergy/symptoms-causes/syc-20374287
https://www.webmd.com/allergies/latex-allergies
https://www.healthline.com/health/allergies/latex#symptoms

US Allergy Stats & Facts

Interested in learning some US allergy stats? Are you suffering from an allergy or have you had one in childhood? You might have one, as it is rare to be completely immune from allergies – especially if you are a US citizen. Of all the leading chronic diseases Americans suffer, allergies rank 6th – affecting 50 million people a year.

Allergies are not age-specific – thirty percent of adults and 40 percent American children fall their prey. Allergies have various forms; you may develop a minor skin allergy, rhinitis, or a severe food allergy. Allergies are so common that almost every household has to deal with them – it is no surprise that the annual cost of allergies has exceeded $18 billion.

Some Facts to Look At

It is important for you to know which allergies tend to affect you more than others so you can take some action. Here is a statistical breakdown of the most frequent allergies Americans suffer.

Rhinitis (Hay Fever)

Spring season is here, and you are likely to develop Rhinitis as the pollen count is higher these days. You may be sneezing, or rubbing your eyes while reading this piece, as they are itching. Hold on; you are not the only. Hay fever affects nearly 20 million adults and almost 6.1 million children in the US.

Food Allergies

Food is the basic necessity of life. However, this very necessity may endanger your life as a result of a reaction. Some food proteins may come under the attack of your immune system triggering allergenic reactions. From an itchy mouth, swollen face and lips to breathing difficulties, you may experience varying degrees of reaction.

  • Thirty-two million Americans suffer from food allergies, 5.6 million of whom are children.
  • Every 13th child in America has some food allergy. Families in the US, with children having an allergic condition, spend around $25 billion on healthcare annually.
  • Do you know that more than 170 foods may cause allergenic symptoms? Peanut is the main causative food allergen.
  • Food allergies send nearly 200,000 Americans to Emergency Rooms each year.

Skin Allergies

Sometime you may come into contact with an allergy-causing inflammatory skin, rash, and itching. Infants are most likely to develop skin allergies. In 2015 only, nearly 8.8 million children were reported to have skin allergies. If you have a child at home, stop people from kissing him on the cheeks or forehead as he may contract an allergy.

As an adult, your immune system may trigger allergenic symptoms to some plants –such as poison oak or poison ivy – hair products, cosmetics, certain food, or even cockroaches.

Insect Allergy

A bee or wasp sting also cause allergies. Insects like cockroaches also lighten up allergic symptoms. Nearly 5 percent of the US citizens face allergies due to insect stings. Sadly, 90 to 100 people lose their lives each year in the country because of an insect sting anaphylaxis.

Conclusion

You are at the risk of developing an allergy more than ever before – the number of those developing an allergy is increasing every year. Your allergy may not outgrow, but you can manage it with your allergist’s help.

Contact us and schedule an appointment with the best allergist at Dr. Sneeze in NYC.

Boyan Hadjiev, MD
30 East 40th Street
New York, NY 10016
212-319-5282

Gluten Allergy – Coeliac Disease

What is Coeliac Disease?

While Coeliac disease was fairly unknown not too long ago, it has recently surged in the number of sufferers due to its relationship with gluten intolerance. However, while gluten intolerance and Coeliac disease do have some things in common, both disorders are very different, have different implications and need to be addressed differently as well. Let’s take a closer look at what exactly Coeliac disease is, its symptoms and what the treatment options are.

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disease that affects an estimated 3 million people in the US. It affects your body when you eat gluten, which is a substance that is often found in grains and grain products containing rye, barley or wheat for instance.

Gluten is what gives dough it’s elasticity and makes bread more “doughy”. In people suffering from Coeliac, the body will react to the protein abnormally which will have the effect of damaging their villi, which are small finger like protrusions found in the small intestine. This affects the intestine’s ability to absorb nutrients, which then eventually leads to malnutrition, miscarriages, bone density loss, infertility, and even more serious issues like cancers or neurological disorders.

What are the Symptoms of Coeliac Disease?

Coeliac disease is different from a gluten allergy and the symptoms will be different as well. If you simply have a gluten allergy, then your eyes may itch or become watery or you might experience breathing issues. But if you’re suffering from Coeliac disease, you might start experiencing abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, anemia, fatigue, mouth ulcers, low bone density, or general fatigue and headaches.

Weight loss and ulcers are also some common symptoms associated with Coeliac disease. Note that intestinal issues are more frequent in children than in adults and may include swelling around the belly, bloating and steatorrhea, which is characterized by a particularly foul smelling and pale stool.

What is the Treatment for Coeliac Disease?

Unfortunately, Coeliac is a chronic disease, and there is no actual cure or medication that you can take to counter it. The only thing you can do is lay off gluten completely. So not only will you have to eliminate bread, cakes, and various other baked goods, you’ll also have to eliminate things like beer, cereals and even some types of toothpastes.

If you feel like you may be suffering from Coeliac disease, then it would be wise to visit a professional so that you can get tested and see if it is the case. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with the best allergist in New York.

Serving all of New York City and the Tri State Area including Zip Codes: Top Allergist NYC Midtown, Chelsea and Clinton: 10001, 10011, 10018, 10019, 10020, 10036 | Gramercy Park and Murray Hill: 10010, 10016, 10017, 10022 | Greenwich Village and Soho: 10012, 10013, 10014 | Lower Manhattan: 10004, 10005, 10006, 10007, 10038, 10280 | Lower East Side: 10002, 10003, 10009 | Upper East Side: 10021, 10028, 10044, 10128 | Upper West Side: 10023, 10024, 10025

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