Allergies affect more than the sinuses and eyes. Some allergies cause itching and rashes in other parts of the body, including the hands. Such symptoms are common for those who experience allergic reactions caused by latex gloves or balloons, diapers, rubber bands or other latex products. Such scenarios are common in health-care environments, and knowing the symptoms of such allergies may help you avoid learn to avoid unpleasant side effects.
Step 1
Watch for signs of unusual sensations or feelings in your hands or in your body reactions when wearing latex gloves in any environment, whether the gloves are powdered or powder-free. Common signs of latex allergy include sudden bouts of sneezing and stuffy nose or sinus cavity.
Step 2
Pay attention to itching sensations in the fingers or hands while wearing latex gloves worn for medical care or general cleaning purposes. You may notice these symptoms in one or both hands. Sensations of itching or heat may start gradually and increase depending on the duration of wear, or they may appear immediately.
Step 3
Examine your skin for signs of redness around the fingers, the back of the hand or the palm area after removing the latex gloves. Exposure to latex products such as balloons may cause an allergic reaction that ranges from mild to severe and may produce redness or splotches on the skin. Some people develop a rash that may also range from mild to severe. Others may develop hives or raised red bumps that itch and spread quickly.
Step 4
Watch for symptoms like watery eyes that may or may not itch. This symptom is commonly experienced by those who have inhaled spores or small particles that travel from the gloves or other latex products when they're removed or placed on the hands. These spores or particles are inhaled through the nose or mouth and may cause immediate reactions in the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and throat.
Step 5
Pay attention to sudden bouts of sneezing, coughing or wheezing that may result from inhaled latex particles. Severe symptoms may involve a sudden difficulty with breathing accompanied by a scratchy throat.
Step 6
Find help immediately if you experience symptoms of anaphylactic shock caused by a latex allergy. Anaphylaxis is an extremely severe allergic reaction that causes swelling of the mucous membranes and other body tissues, resulting in swollen eyes, swollen esophagus and lips and tongue, making breathing or any form of communication extremely difficult. Some individuals experiencing this type of allergic reaction may also experience confusion, slurred speech patterns, nausea and loss of consciousness accompanied by a weak or thready pulse. Get emergency help.
Tips and Warnings
- If you've been diagnosed with a latex allergy, wear a bracelet or pendant that notifies emergency personnel of your allergy. Carry an EpiPen or injection device filled with a dose of epinephrine that may be given by yourself or first responders at the scene.
