Metal Mouth Message Board

I have never had a Latex Allergy in the past, but I got elastics on Wednesday. I got hives on my throat starting this morning. I read that a Latex Allergy manifests within 12-36 hours. I have worn Latex gloves in the past but have never had this long of a continuous exposure. I have hay fever and allergies to certain natural products and three whole classes of antibiotics.

I am leaving my elastics out starting now. I hate to be non-compliant because I just got past the excruciating pain part, but the rash is spreading and one of my eyes is starting to itch.

I need to try to get in touch with my orthodontist, but it is the weekend. I feel rather foolish. Am I overreacting?

Should I see if the rash goes away and then re-challenge with the elastics?

As I said, I don't want to be non-compliant but I don't want to risk the hives spreading in my airway.

I'm worried.

If you're going to try to keep them in and see how it goes, do it during the day. You don't want to be sleeping when your throat closes up.
I'm allergic to a couple of antibiotics, they give me hives. So i stay away from them all together.
It is weird that you've never had a latex issue before though. I think its more of an issue for your GP and then the ortho.

You should contact your orthodontist immediately and report the possible problem. Repeated or prolonged exposure to an allergen may cause a severe allergic reaction. Leave the elastics out for now, see your orthodontist soon, and get non-latex elastics instead.

If your problems clear up with the non-latex elastics, you can assume that the latex was the issue. Then you should report it to your GP or allergist. They could test you to see if indeed you have a latex allergy.

I called the orthodontist's office and left a message; hopefully, they will be able to get me new elastics on Monday. The hives have been fading since I took the elastics out. This reaction is most similar to the reactions that I have had to antibiotics. I am allergic to 4 antibiotics; the most recent one, I had used before and had no reaction, but upon a second exposure, I reacted with hives on my neck. My poor doctors have a hard time treating me for infection. Now, they may have to worry about their gloves.

My GP ordered a blood test to check for Latex allergy; she thinks it is likely since the reaction was so similar to my allergic reactions to antibiotics. New medical alert id necklace, here I come.