If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day.

OVERVIEW

What is latex?

Natural rubber latex comes from a liquid in tropical rubber trees. This liquid is processed to make many of the following rubber products used at home and at work:

• Balloons
• Dishwashing gloves
• Waistbands on clothing
• Rubber toys
• Pacifiers and baby-bottle nipples
• Rubber bands
• Adhesive tape and bandages
• Diapers and sanitary pads
• Condoms

In addition, many medical and dental supplies contain latex, including gloves, blood pressure cuffs, urinary catheters, dental dams and material used to fill root canals, as well as tourniquets and equipment for resuscitation. Non-latex substitutes can be found for all of these latex-containing items.

What is latex allergy?

The protein in rubber can cause an allergic reaction in some people. This reaction can range from sneezing to anaphylactic shock, which is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.

The thin, stretchy latex rubber in gloves, condoms and balloons is high in this protein. It causes more allergic reactions than products made of hard latex rubber (such as tires). Because some latex gloves are coated with cornstarch powder, latex protein particles can stick to the cornstarch and fly into the air when the gloves are taken off. In places where gloves are being put on and removed frequently, the air may contain many latex particles.

SYMPTOMS

What are the symptoms of latex allergy?

Latex allergy can be mild or severe, with symptoms such as:

• Itchy, red, watery eyes
• Sneezing or runny nose
• Coughing
• Rash or hives
• Chest tightness
• Shortness of breath

Some people who wear latex gloves get bumps, sores, cracks or red, raised areas on their hands. These symptoms usually appear 12 to 36 hours after contact with latex. Changing to non-latex gloves, using glove liners, and paying more attention to hand care can help relieve these symptoms.

A person who is highly allergic to latex can also have a life-threatening allergic reaction, called anaphylactic shock.  Symptoms include:

• Difficulty breathing
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Wheezing
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Rapid or weak pulse
• Loss of consciousness

Someone having an anaphylactic reaction needs immediate medical attention.

CAUSES & RISK FACTORS

Who is at risk for latex allergy?

Latex products are everywhere. Anyone can develop a latex allergy. Latex allergy is an occupational health hazard for many people including:

• Health care workers (operating room workers, dental care workers, special procedure and general medical nurses, emergency response workers, etc)
• Laboratory technicians
• Greenhouse workers
• Hair salon workers
• Estheticians
• Glove manufacturing workers.
• Food service workers
• Housekeepers.
• Police and/or enforcement.
• Other workers who use latex gloves for protection

People also at risk are those who have had many operations (especially in childhood), people who have spina bifida (a birth defect that affects the development of the spine) and people who have a food allergy.

Is there a connection between latex allergy and foods?

Because some rubber proteins are similar to food proteins, some foods may also cause an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to latex. The most common of these foods are banana, avocado, chestnut, kiwi fruit and passion fruit.  Although many other foods can cause an allergic reaction, avoiding all of them might cause nutrition problems.  Therefore, it’s recommended that you avoid only the foods that have already given you an allergic reaction.

DIAGNOSIS & TESTS

What should I do if I think I have a latex allergy?

Contact your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider  will take a detailed history and may confirm the diagnosis with a blood test. Skin testing is usually not used to test for latex allergy, except in some specialized centers. It can cause severe reactions if it isn’t done by an experienced person.

PREVENTION

What should I do if I find out I have a latex allergy?

Although there is no treatment for latex allergy, you can reduce your risk of reaction by avoiding direct contact with latex. Take steps to find out which products in your environment contain latex. Then, find substitutes you can use for those products. It’s also important to avoid breathing in latex particles from powdered gloves or other sources.

If you are a health care worker or a patient, everyone around you should wear powder-free latex gloves or non-latex gloves. If you are a health care worker, compare different kinds of non-latex gloves to find the ones that are best for you.

Always wear or carry a medical alert bracelet, necklace or keychain that warns emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and healthcare providers that you are allergic to latex. Contact your healthcare provider about getting a prescription for an epinephrine self-injection pen, to use in case of a serious reaction. You may wish to carry non-latex gloves with you all the time for use by emergency personnel if you need medical attention.

If you are exposed to latex at your job, tell your employer and co-workers about your latex allergy. Avoid latex gloves completely if you’re not at risk for blood and body fluid contamination. Use powder-free gloves if latex gloves are preferable. These measures will help keep others from becoming allergic to latex.

How can I learn more about latex allergy?

Take steps to educate yourself and others. Work to support workplace policies, industry practices and government legislation that will support the safe use of latex and non-latex alternatives.

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER

• Latex is a rubber product. Am I at risk for other rubber allergies?
• What products contain latex? How do I avoid these?
• How do I make sure that all members of my health care team know about my latex allergy?
• How do I know if my allergic reactions are getting worse?
• Could I be at risk for anaphylaxis? Do I need to carry epinephrine?
• Do I need a medical alert bracelet? Where do I get one?
• I’m sexually active. What’s a good alternative to latex condoms?

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety at https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/diseases/latex.html

Sources

Latex Allergy by S Reddy, M.D. (08/01/01, http://www.aafp.org/afp/980101ap/reddy.html )