Latex Allergy Medication

  • Author: Amy J Behrman, MD; Chief Editor: Erik D Schraga, MD   more...
 
Updated: Nov 30, 2011
 
 

Medication Summary

Latex allergies are best treated with patient education to avoid further exposure. Type I reactions are treated as any other systemic allergic reaction. The cornerstones of treatment are epinephrine and H1 antihistamines. Systemic corticosteroids and H2 blockers may be useful. Please see articles on Anaphylaxis, Angioedema, and Asthma for details of therapy. No specific immunotherapy has been shown to be effective.

Type IV reactions (localized contact dermatitis) are unlikely to require ED treatment. They can be treated with topical steroids and patient education to avoid further exposures.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Amy J Behrman, MD  Associate Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Director, Division of Occupational Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

Amy J Behrman, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Marilyn Howarth, MD  Director, Occupational and Environmental Consultation Service, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Pennsylvania

Marilyn Howarth, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Mark Louden, MD, FACEP  Assistant Medical Director, Emergency Department, Duke Raleigh Hospital

Mark Louden, MD, FACEP is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine and American College of Emergency Physicians

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Matthew M Rice, MD, JD, FACEP  Senior Vice President, Chief Medical Officer, Northwest Emergency Physicians of TeamHealth; Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine

Matthew M Rice, MD, JD, FACEP is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Association, National Association of EMS Physicians, Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, and Washington State Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

John D Halamka, MD, MS  Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Chief Information Officer, CareGroup Healthcare System and Harvard Medical School; Attending Physician, Division of Emergency Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

John D Halamka, MD, MS is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Informatics Association, Phi Beta Kappa, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Erik D Schraga, MD  Staff Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, Mills-Peninsula Emergency Medical Associates

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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