how do they test for latex allergies

[JMama]

DS gets rashes from the band aids they use at the clinics. they of course use latex. it could be the adhesive on them, so right now i just put a latex free one on him to see if he reacts. that way i can get a better idea about whether he is reacting to the adhesive or the band aid. that way i can mention it at his doctors appointment.

but i was curious, how do they text for a latex allergy?

[BeccatheGreat]

Hmm I'm not sure on that one. I'm allergic to latex...I don't go into shock when I'm exposed, but I get bad hives from it. Also, if I inhale it I feel my throat get tight. Like, I bought exercise bands once not realizing they were latex, and when I opened the box the latex stuff getting into my throat was awful.

[MyThreeMiracles]

We've never been tested, but the kids and I are allergic to latex. The kids had a reaction to latex gloves and it was marked on their charts after that.

[JustTara]

Our allergist says there isn't a test that they can use for latex allergy. Most people find out they have it when they have a reaction. Liam's allergy was discovered when he broke out in hives and had breathing difficulty as a result of playing with a latex glove balloon.

[J9Mommy]

I have always had band aid issues and someone told me it was probably latex so I used the latex free kind and it was better, but I don't have any isuses with latex gloves etc...so it must be the adhesive not the latex.

I have heard alot of people have issues with band aids. Mine I get this read puffy area that lasts for days.

[robertribeye]

my son was tested at 4 months. They have you take off thier shirt. then Our pediactirc allergist specialist (had to get a referal for him) wrote on his back and pricked him 4 times. one was with hystamine, one nothings, one potent latex with powder mix(they use gloves in some mixture idk how they do it), then the next was latex powder free one. then you have to keep them from touching thier back and they check it in 10 and then 20 min intervals. Logan swole up. so we were given our epi pen jr and a plan of attack. he was 4 months old then. and we got him an emergency bracelet. we found out the hard way when we gave him a latex nipple on a bottle and he was gasping and coughing and broke out in hives all over his body. we are VERY VERY carefull here now. We have to double wash our hands after touching rubber bands or he welts up if we touch him. no baloon, we are not allowed to let him have peaches, bananas, and avacados either. they are all considered a latex of the natural form. My dh's cousin is allergic to it as well and never outgrew it. we will take logan back at 2 and have him rechecked. good luck. It is nothing to take lightly, deff bring it up.

[Messy]

We learned Kiah and I are allergic to latex the hard (well, easy for the docs LOL) way... Contact. Kiah is allergic to all kinds of latex. I am sensitive to most kinds but very allergic only if it touches my skin. We had no idea until he was two since I do not allow balloons in our home and we did not have latex toys and such. So, all files are marked with a latex allergy warning... We send special bandaids to school for him and the teachers remove any items he has a reaction to. He is good about it because he can tell if an item is latex by getting close to it or touching it without a full on reaction (sometimes a rash though).

[Amber]

according to my allergist, they only test latex with blood tests, because of the high probability of anaphx. reaction. they would not test on the skin, in office. i have no idea if thats a general rule, or just his. but they tested aleah via bloodwork.
~~~~~~~
here some more info.

Skin testing is usually not used to test for latex allergy, except in some specialized centers. It can cause severe reactions if it isn't done by an experienced person.

http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/allergies/basics/254.html

[BrenandWes]

Our developmental pedi won't even test for a latex allergy. If you react, he says you have an allergy.