Posts Tagged ‘Allergic Reactions’
Latex refers generically to the overal dispersal (emulsion) of polymer microparticles in an liquid form. Latexes are either natural or synthetic though obviously the former was the first that was used. The Latex that is found in nature comes in the form of a milky sap which seeps out of cuts in certain plants, that thickens and sets on exposure to the air. It is a complex emulsion in which proteins, alkaloids, starches, sugars, oils, tannins, resins and gums are found. In most plants, latex is white, but some have yellow, orange, or scarlet latex.
Latex gloves are produced out of the milky sap of certain trees and plants, such as the milkweed and the rubber tree, that hardens when exposed to the air. Latex usually contains gum resins, waxes, and oils, and sometimes toxic substances. This is why when used in the medical industry, latex gloves are only used where the risk of allergic reaction is minimal.
Some people have serious latex allergies, and if exposed to latex products such as latex gloves can cause anaphylactic shock. Guayule latex is being researched as a substitute to the allergy-inducing Hevea latexes because it is a hypoallergenic. Some allergic reactions are not from the latex but from residues of other ingredients used to process the latex into clothing, gloves, foam, etc. These allergies are usually referred to as multiple chemical sensitivity.
That is why if you know that you have an allergic reaction to forms of latex often evident if you have a reaction to plasters as the glue sometimes contains latex ensure that you let the medical staff know so that they can us alternative forms of gloves eg. Nitrile or Vinyl.
It is not uncommon for people to be allergic to bee stings. However, some people do not even realize that they have a problem. They may not know that they are affected in any way when a bee stings them. It is important for a person to know if they are allergic to bee stings and if they are, they have to know what to do to keep them safe if it were to happen.
Most insect sting reactions are not allergic and will only result in local pain, itching, redness and swelling. Some times a person will have, more swelling than others will and this is going to depend on the person, the type of bee that stung, and the location of the bee sting. Getting treatment from home or hospital is the only thing that is needed for this type of reaction. There are a few things that you can do to help with the pain and the swelling.
You should first disinfect the area, keep it clean, and use ice if needed. If the swelling would continue, a person may need to have some steroids to help reduce it. The site may become infected and antibiotics may have to be issued by a doctor. There are large local non-allergic reactions that can last for a few days or even more. This is usually no cause for concern and should be treated as mentioned above or with some other form of treatment.
With some bee stings a person can have an allergic reaction. The allergic reaction to an insect sting will vary from person to person. The most serious problem could be anaphylaxis and it can be fatal. There are severe reactions that can occur if the person has hives and intense itching or swelling of the tongue, dizziness and fainting are signs that an allergic reaction is happening. Usually these types of reactions will happen within minutes of the bee sting but some have been kept off for up to twenty-four hours. Getting fast treatment is very necessary when dealing with any type of bee allergic reaction.
Children should be watched for a bee sting. If you have a child that is complaining of itching or burning on the body, you should check for a bee sting mark. There are many ointments on the market today that will be able to counteract the problem of the bee sting. It is very important to make sure that the bee sting is taken care of so that the child is not affected in any way or starts to have an allergic reaction to it.
Bee stings are usually harmless but it is still a good idea to keep an eye on them and make sure that there is no chance of an allergic reaction.
The rubber tree produces a milky fluid that is commonly used to make latex. The latex is popular in health care sectors to provide protection to health workers and others regarding infectious diseases. Latex is therefore vital in society today but has a downside as well. Latex allergy is a growing concern among users. Gloves made out of this material will cause skin reaction and many other signs that have been seen to be allergic reactions. This natural rubber has been studied by experts and there is evidence to show that it is responsible for the allergies.
However, there are different kinds of latex that are synthetic and often times, many people do not know the difference. Regarding synthetic latex, it has been found that they do not contain the proteins that eventually cause these kinds of allergies. This is to say that there are particular proteins in natural rubber that are responsible for reactions. People are therefore advised to reduce the frequency or avoid exposure to these proteins known to be released by the rubber latex.
Apart from exposure through latex rubber gloves, workers can also transmit the allergens to the air. This happens when they change the gloves and the proteins become airborne. This way, people will inhale them and start suffering the symptoms of the allergy. If you are constantly working with these factors around you, it will be wise to know some of the top symptoms that are caused by exposure leading to allergic reaction.
The symptoms and signs include skin rash which is the most announced symptom in this regard. Other signs to look out for include formation of hives, redness and flushing, itching, sinus problems, shock, asthma and the list goes on. Some people will come down with most of these signs while others will just have one symptom. When you notice this problem, it is essential that you do not ignore it. Look for opportunities to avoid contact with this allergen.
Avoidance is the best way to prevent and treat the problem. However, if you have no choice but to be exposed, see your doctor who will advise on the best protection as well as recommend the right medication to take care of the problem. Parents and guardians are advised to pay close attention where kids are concerned. You should be in a position to read some of the signs above and take the necessary step.
Each year, about midsummer, millions of children and adults begin to show various significant allergy symptoms. They sneeze, their eyes itch and become watery. They feel wretched for a month or two. Then the symptoms abate. These persons are suffering from attacks of hay fever – a prime example of what physician would call an allergic reaction.
To understand what allergies are, we must point out that when the normal equilibrium of the human body is threatened by an external agent, a sequence of automatic defense mechanisms moves into action. If the body becomes overheated, for example, it begins to perspire in order to cool itself. If it becomes too cold, it starts to shiver in an attempt to get warm.
An allergy is also a response to an external agent. But in this case the response to this outside source is severe and the reaction is neither normal nor desirable.
There are literally hundreds of possible causes of allergy, and the reaction may express itself in the human body in many different ways. One person breaks out in hives when he eats strawberries. Another starts to sneeze in the presence of dogs or cats. A third reacts to ordinary house dust. Some people have asthmatic attacks when faced by an emotional crisis.
The symptoms of allergy may first appear at any time from infancy to old age. They occur most often, however, before the age of twenty. Indeed, one of the major problems facing the doctor who treats allergies is to recognize the condition early enough so that he will be able to start treatment when it can do the most good.
Many allergic reactions are mistaken for other, less serious, conditions, especially in the case of infants and young children. Parents often neglect to mention these reactions to their physician until they have recurred several times.
It has long been known that inheritance plays a significant part in allergy. A person who has to allergic parents or whose family has a history of allergy has up to ten times as much chance of developing an allergy as a person from a non allergic family. Moreover, his or her symptoms will usually appear at an earlier age than would otherwise be the case.
However, persons with no trace of an allergic inheritance may also develop allergies, and some members of an allergic family may be completely free of allergic illnesses during their entire lives. There is not always a direct relationship between the type of allergy in the offspring. For instance, a mother with asthma may have one asthmatic child, another who suffers from allergic skin disease but who is free of asthma, and a third who shows no signs whatsoever of any allergy.
It is not allergy itself, but rather a tendency or susceptibility to allergy, that is passed on from parent to child. A person may have a tendency to manifest allergic reactions and yet never experience a single moment of allergic illness. His or her system is prepared at all times to react violently to an allergic assault. Fortunately, however, he or she will never have to come upon an allergic substance under conditions which would lead to a visible reaction.



