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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
latex allergy and breathing problems
Answered by
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latex allergy and breathing problems
by !Sandy12345, Mar 06, 2006 12:00AM
I have been recently diagnosed with a latex allergy (healthcare worker history), which the doctor said was strong positive (ige latex specific test).experienced symptoms when wearing gloves were itching and redness in arms and upper arms, blotches around neck and a red face, with tingling around my chin and face. this is still a problem when i get near to latex gloves (you can see where my overall has been). what took me to the doctor were breathlessness symptoms, which now seem to be getting worse. I feel a pressure in my chest most of the time and get very breathless in the morning, which gets ten times worse after a cup of tea. wine and diet coke seem to bring on breathlessness aswell, this seems to get better in the day i have lost about 6 pounds in the last 2 weeks. the worst I have been is when I went to bed and could not settle due to compression on my chest, went downstairs to get a glass of water and starting wheezing (slightly) and had a tingling rush towards my neck, subsided after 5 mins. I have had this breathlessness for 4 weeks now, went to doc and she couldnt find anything wrong. so now im thinking is this psychosomatic , becuase symptoms seem a bit bizarre.
I am a healthcare student so cannot avoid latex completely, but not so sure there is a connection.I have been stressed because worrying about future implications,so accept my symptoms may be exacerbated but dont want to go back to doc because i feel an idiot.any ideas?
I am a healthcare student so cannot avoid latex completely, but not so sure there is a connection.I have been stressed because worrying about future implications,so accept my symptoms may be exacerbated but dont want to go back to doc because i feel an idiot.any ideas?
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Mar 08, 2006 12:00AM
, Mar 08, 2006 12:00AM
It is possible that this is a bigger problem than just the latex. The symptoms you are describing are those of asthma. It would seem appropriate to see your doctor. A breathing test called spirometry will show what is going on in your lungs. It may be that you need to be on inhaled anti-inflammatory medicine to get your symptoms under control.
If the breathing test is normal, a chest x-ray and further evaluation of the latex is warranted.
If the breathing test is normal, a chest x-ray and further evaluation of the latex is warranted.
Member Comments (3)
by !Sandy12345, Mar 06, 2006 12:00AM
sorry dry, tickly cough aswell,mmostly in morning
by !Sandy12345, Mar 11, 2006 12:00AM
thankyou very much for your comments I have been diagnosed with asthma
