E-DRUG: Allergy to latex condoms?
---------------------------------
Dear E-druggers,
I have recently been faced with queries from the public regarding allergic
reactions to latex condoms. Is there any remedy against this allergy to
latex condoms? What advice can be given so that those affected do not shy
away from using latex condoms as they have been pretty effective in curbing
the spread of HIV and other sexuallly transmitted diseases?
Looking forward to your contributions.
Yours,
James William Tamale
Pharmacist
Uganda
psupc@infocom.co.ug
[WHO advice:
"Latex allergies are very rare among the general population. While 1-2 billion condoms are used per year in the USA, the FDA only received 44 reports of allergic reactions associated with condom use between October 1988 and end of 1991. The Centres for Disease Control, Atlanta, USA estimate that the population risk of an allergic reaction to latex is 0.08% and the nature of the reaction tends to be very mild. Concerns about latex allergies should not inhibit sexually active people who are at risk of exposure to pregnancy and STIs using condoms, since the risks associated with unprotected sexual contact are far greater than those from exposure to latex."
[http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs243/en/\]
For people allergic to latex, why not use polyurethane condoms? (like the female condom - much stronger anyway).
Natural skin condoms are not suitable for HIV prevention as they contain small holes.
Have a look at http://latexallergylinks.tripod.com/ for latex allergy, and at http://63.73.227.69/pubs/fact/fact0011.html for a condom fact sheet.
WB]