Overview

Latex allergy is a reaction to certain proteins found in natural rubber latex, a product made from the rubber tree. If you have a latex allergy, your body mistakes latex for a harmful substance.

Latex allergy may cause itchy skin and hives or even anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening condition that can cause throat swelling and severe difficulty breathing. Your doctor can determine if you have a latex allergy or if you're at risk of developing a latex allergy.

Understanding latex allergy and knowing common sources of latex can help you prevent allergic reactions.

Symptoms

If you're allergic to latex, you're likely to have symptoms after touching latex rubber products, such as gloves or balloons. You can also have symptoms if you breathe in latex particles that are released into the air when someone removes latex gloves.

Latex allergy symptoms range from mild to severe. A reaction depends on how sensitive you are to latex and the amount of latex you touch or inhale. Your reaction can become worse with each additional latex exposure.

Mild symptoms

Mild latex allergy symptoms include:

Itching

Skin redness

Hives or rash

More-severe symptoms

These include:

Sneezing

Runny nose

Itchy, watery eyes

Scratchy throat

Difficulty breathing

Wheezing

Cough

Life-threatening symptoms: Anaphylaxis

The most serious allergic reaction to latex is anaphylaxis, which can be deadly. An anaphylactic (an-uh-fuh-LAK-tik) reaction develops immediately after latex exposure in highly sensitive people, but it rarely happens the first time you're exposed.

Signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis include:

Difficulty breathing

Hives or swelling

Nausea and vomiting

Wheezing

Drop in blood pressure

Dizziness

Loss of consciousness

Confusion

Rapid or weak pulse

When to see a doctor

Seek emergency medical care if you are having or think you're having an anaphylactic reaction.

If you have less severe reactions after exposure to latex, talk to your doctor. If possible, see your doctor when you're reacting, which will aid in diagnosis.

Causes

In a latex allergy, your immune system identifies latex as a harmful substance and triggers certain antibodies to fight it off. The next time you're exposed to latex, these antibodies tell your immune system to release histamine and other chemicals into your bloodstream, producing a range of allergy signs and symptoms. The more times you are exposed to latex, the more strongly your immune system is likely to respond. This is called sensitization.

Latex allergy can occur in these ways:

Direct contact. The most common cause of latex allergy involves touching latex-containing products, including latex gloves, condoms and balloons.

The most common cause of latex allergy involves touching latex-containing products, including latex gloves, condoms and balloons. Inhalation. Latex products, especially gloves, release latex particles, which you can breathe in when they become airborne. The amount of airborne latex from gloves differs greatly depending on the brand of glove used.

It's possible to have other skin reactions when using latex. They include:

Allergic contact dermatitis. This reaction results from the chemical additives used during manufacturing. The main sign is a skin rash with formation of blisters 24 to 48 hours after exposure, similar to poison ivy.

This reaction results from the chemical additives used during manufacturing. The main sign is a skin rash with formation of blisters 24 to 48 hours after exposure, similar to poison ivy. Irritant contact dermatitis. Not an allergy, this skin irritation is caused by wearing rubber gloves or exposure to the powder inside them. Signs and symptoms include dry, itchy, irritated areas, usually on the hands.

Not all latex products are made from natural sources. Products containing man-made (synthetic) latex, such as latex paint, are unlikely to cause a reaction.

Risk factors

Certain people are at greater risk of developing a latex allergy:

People with spina bifida. The risk of latex allergy is highest in people with spina bifida — a birth defect that affects the development of the spine. People with this disorder often are exposed to latex products through early and frequent health care. People with spina bifida should always avoid latex products.

The risk of latex allergy is highest in people with spina bifida — a birth defect that affects the development of the spine. People with this disorder often are exposed to latex products through early and frequent health care. People with spina bifida should always avoid latex products. People who undergo multiple surgeries or medical procedures. Repeated exposure to latex gloves and medical products increases your risk of developing latex allergy.

Repeated exposure to latex gloves and medical products increases your risk of developing latex allergy. Health care workers. If you work in health care, you're at increased risk of developing a latex allergy.

If you work in health care, you're at increased risk of developing a latex allergy. Rubber industry workers. Repeated exposure to latex may increase sensitivity.

Repeated exposure to latex may increase sensitivity. People with a personal or family history of allergies. You're at increased risk of latex allergy if you have other allergies — such as hay fever or a food allergy — or they're common in your family.

Connection between food allergy and latex allergy

Certain fruits contain the same allergens found in latex. They include:

Avocado

Banana

Chestnut

Kiwi

Passion fruit

If you're allergic to latex, you have a greater chance of also being allergic to these foods.

Prevention

Many common products contain latex, but you can usually find a suitable option. Prevent an allergic reaction to latex by avoiding these products:

Dishwashing gloves

Some types of carpeting

Balloons

Rubber toys

Hot water bottles

Baby bottle nipples

Some disposable diapers

Rubber bands

Erasers

Condoms

Diaphragms

Swim goggles

Racket handles

Motorcycle and bicycle handgrips

Blood pressure cuffs

Stethoscopes

Intravenous tubing

Syringes

Respirators

Electrode pads

Surgical masks

Dental dams

Many health care facilities use nonlatex gloves. However, because other medical products may contain latex or rubber, be sure to tell doctors, nurses, dentists and other health care workers about your allergy before all exams or procedures. Wearing a medical alert bracelet can inform others of your latex allergy.