Latex Allergy Awareness Week
Most people have a general idea of what latex is, but how can you be allergic to latex and what does that mean? Allergic reactions to natural latex from Hevea brasiliensis, or the Brazilian rubber tree, are the body’s detrimental response to the material’s protein composition. Having a latex allergy means one’s body has an abnormal, hypersensitive response to contact with the latex products. Effects range from a mild sneezing fit to more severe responses such as anaphylactic shock.
There are two different types of reactions: Type I, which is less common and results in an immediate, potentially life threatening reaction, and Type IV, which is a delayed physical reaction that usually translates to a skin rash. It’s estimated that more than 66 million people around the world (2.7 million in the US) are affected by a latex allergy. Not only are there millions of people with this allergy, there are millions of products that can serve as triggers for a reaction.
Latex is one of the most commonly used materials in consumer, medical and industrial products such as medical gloves, balloons and condoms. However, it can also be found in mattresses, chewing gum, clothing, children’s toys, dental dams, paint, glue and a host of other products. Even some flu vaccines contain materials that are capable of causing allergic reactions to those susceptible. With so many people at risk, and just as many potential triggers, there has been a reemergence of interest in finding safe, sustainable alternatives to natural latex.
Latex allergies and those affected by them weren’t a matter of public concern until the 1990’s when the increased use of latex-based medical devices and other social factors lead to a dramatic increase in the number of people identified as latex allergic. As a result, researchers began examining other materials to find a safe alternative to tropical latex. Synthetic latex sources were exploited but these tended to be derived from petroleum by-products and, therefore, non-renewable.
Yulex Corporation has commercialized natural rubber latex from a plant source called guayule. Guayule is a domestic and sustainable industrial crop that is native to the U.S. Southwest and now also being cultivated in Australia.
Guayule-based natural rubber latex is a safe alternative to Hevea-based materials. Marketed as Yulex® Natural Rubber, it provides the same strength and dependability as its less sustainable synthetic counterpart, while also being safe for Type I latex allergy suffers.
Read about the many uses for Yulex Natural Rubber here.
Latex Allergy Awareness Week is sponsored by the American Latex Allergy Association. Find out more information on the latex allergy fact sheet.
[...] Latex Allergy Awareness Week [...]
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