Latex Allergy Basics

Allergies occur when the body comes in contact with a foreign material. The body often does not react to the foreign material at the first contact. A reaction may not occur until many contacts are made. Not all reactions are allergies.

Reactions on the skin are caused by many different materials. One material that may cause a reaction is LATEX. Latex comes from the sap of a rubber tree. Proteins attached to the latex cause allergies.

Latex exposure has increased in the last 15 years because health workers use gloves more often. Latex is in the gloves and the powder inside the gloves. The powder allows latex particles to go into the environment.

Some products that often contain latex include ...

• pacifiers
• feeding nipples
• adhesives
• erasers
• disposable diapers
• elastic fabric
• gloves
• balloons
• balls
• masks
• rubber toys
• rubber mats
• foam rubber
• carpet backing
• condoms
• diaphragms
• tape
• bandages

Who is at risk of Latex Allergy?

People who have a history of allergic reactions. They may suffer from asthma, hay fever or eczema.

Workers employed in latex manufacturing, health care and dentistry where gloves are used often.

People who have had a lot of surgery, especially more than 10 procedures.

Children with spina bifida who have had a lot of surgery and urinary catheters.

People who have allergies to avocados, bananas, kiwi, passion fruit, potatoes, tomatoes, pineapples, grapes, apricots, cherries, peaches and chestnuts. This is because these plants share similar proteins to the rubber tree.

You may be sensitive to latex if you have had a reaction during surgery, dental visit or a test with injections or tubes or if you have had a reaction after putting on rubber gloves.

Common Skin Reactions to latex include...

• stinging
• burning
• itching
• swelling
• redness
• scaling
• blistering

Latex particles are often airborne and contact can cause selling of your eyelids, lips and throat. Trouble breathing of tightness, wheezing, coughing or hives.

If you suspect that you have a latex allergy call your family doctor and ask for a latex sensitivity test.

Alternatives to latex are available. look for a LATEX FREE designation on products like bandages and gloves. Examination gloves are also available in vinyl or nitrile.