Latex, also known as rubber or natural latex, is derived from the milky sap of the rubber tree, found in Africa and Southeast Asia.

Latex allergy is an allergic reaction to substances in natural latex. Rubber gloves are the main source of allergic reactions, although latex is also used in other procucts such as condoms and medical devices.

What Causes Latex Allergy?

The exact cause of latex allergy is unknown, but it is thought that repeated exposure to latex and rubber products may induce symptoms.

About 5% to 10% of healthcare workers have some form of allergy to latex.

Who Is Affected By Latex Allergy?

Other than healthcare workers, people at increased risk for developing latex allergy include those who have:

A defect in their bone marrow cells
A deformed bladder or urinary tract
A history of multiple surgeries
A urinary catheter, which has a rubber tip
Allergy, asthma or eczema
Food allergies to bananas, avocados, kiwis, or chestnuts
Rubber industry workers and condom users are also at increased risk for developing a latex allergy.

How Do People Get Exposed?

Routes of exposure include:

Through the skin, as occurs when latex gloves are worn
Through mucous membranes, such as the eyes, mouth, vagina, and rectum
Through the thin skin in the mouth, vagina, or rectum, as occurs when condoms are used
Through inhalation. Rubber gloves contain a powder that can be inhaled.
Through the blood, as occurs when medical devices containing rubber are used.
What Happens During a Latex Reaction?

There are three types of latex reactions:

Irritant contact dermatitis. The least threatening type of latex reaction, classified as a non-allergenic skin reaction. It usually occurs as a result of repeated exposure to chemicals in latex gloves and results in dryness, itching, burning, scaling, and lesions of the skin.
Allergic contact dermatitis. A delayed reaction to additives used in latex processing, which results in the same type of reactions as irritant contact dermatitis (dryness, itching, burning, scaling and lesions of the skin), but the reaction is more severe, spreads to more parts of the body and lasts longer.
Immediate allergic reaction (latex hypersensitivity). The most serious reaction to latex. It can show up as rhinitis with hay fever-like symptoms, conjunctivitis (pink eye), cramps, hives and severe itching. Rarely, symptoms may progress to include rapid heartbeat, tremors, chest pain, difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, anaphylactic shock, or potentially, death.
What Should I Do When a Latex-Allergy Reaction Occurs?

Allergic reactions to latex can range from skin redness and itching to more serious symptoms, such as hives or gastrointestinal problems. True allergic reactions to latex rarely progress to the life-threatening conditions such as low blood pressure, difficulty breathing or rapid heart rate. However, if left untreated, these conditions could potentially result in death.

If you experience severe symptoms, call your doctor or 911 immediately, or go to the nearest emergency room.

How Is Latex Allergy Diagnosed?

A latex allergy is diagnosed in people who:

Have experienced signs or symptoms of allergic reaction (skin rash, hives, eye tearing or irritation, wheezing, itching, difficulty breathing) when exposed to latex or natural rubber products.
Do not have signs or symptoms of latex allergy but are known to be at risk for latex allergy and have a positive skin test to latex. Since the latex allergen used in the test is not readily available in the U.S., a blood test is sometimes performed to detect allergy-producing antibodies.
Skin testing for latex allergy should only be done with the close supervision of an allergy specialist because of the risk of severe reactions.

How Is Latex Allergy Treated?

Reactions may be treated by removal of the latex product and drug treatment according to the type of symptoms developing. If the symptoms are irritant contact dermatitis, antihistamine and/or corticosteroid medicines may be enough to treat symptoms. Severe reactions should be treated with epinephrine, intravenous fluids, and other support by hospital or emergency personnel.

If you have latex allergy, it is important for you to wear a MedicAlert bracelet and carry an emergency epinephrine syringe.

There is no cure for latex allergy, so the best treatment for this condition is prevention.

How Can I Make My Home Safe?

If you're at risk for serious reactions to latex, you must make many lifestyle changes to ensure a latex-safe environment. While it may require leading a more protected and isolated life, you can continue certain activities when precautions are taken. Here are some tips:

Use basic latex alternatives (see below).
Keep all shoes, boots, and sneakers in covered containers.
Never travel alone. Always travel with another person, especially to doctor appointments where you might accidentally come into contact with latex.
Plan in advance to ensure latex avoidance at any family function or party.
Because a latex allergy becomes worse with each exposure, you should avoid products containing latex. While it is difficult to obtain full and accurate information on the latex content of products, you may become better informed by checking with suppliers before buying a product.

The following list highlights some (but not all) of the latex products you should avoid in the home:

Rubber sink stoppers and sink mats
Rubber or rubber-grip utensils
Rubber electrical cords or water hoses
Bath mats and floor rugs that have rubber backing
Toothbrushes with rubber grips or handles
Rubber tub toys
Sanitary napkins (that contain rubber)
Condoms/diaphragms
Diapers that contain rubber
Adult undergarments that contain rubber
Waterproof bed pads containing rubber
Undergarments, socks and other clothing with elastic bands that contain rubber
Adhesives such as glue, paste, art supplies, glue pens
Older Barbie dolls and other dolls that are made of rubber
Rubber bands, mouse and keyboard cords, desktop and chair pads, rubber stamps
Mouse and wrist pads containing rubber
Keyboards and calculators with rubber keys or switches
Pens with comfort grip or any rubber coating
Remote controllers for TVs or VCRs with rubber grips or keys
Camera, telescope or binocular eye pieces
Bathing caps and elastic in bathing suits
What Products Should I Avoid Outside the Home?

Grocery store checkout belts
Restaurants where workers use latex gloves for food preparation (call ahead to ensure your safety)
Balloons
Auto races that emit tire and rubber particles
ATM machine buttons (often made of rubber)
Other products containing rubber include:

Tourniquets
Blood Pressure Pads
EKG pads
Some adhesive bandages
Dental devices
Latex Alternatives

There are many alternatives that can be used in place of latex. These include:

Latex Product Alternative
Balloons Mylar balloons
Baby toys Plastic or cloth toys
Bottle nipples Silicone nipples
Condoms Sheep cecum condoms (for birth control only)
Elastic bands Paper clips, string, or twine
Household gloves Synthetic or cotton gloves
Raincoat Nylon or synthetic waterproof coats
Shoes with rubber Leather or synthetic shoes
Telephone cords Clear cords

What Should I Do During Doctor Visits?

If you have a known latex allergy and must visit the doctor or dentist, inform the doctor of your latex allergy at least 24 hours before your scheduled appointment. The hospital or doctor's office should have a latex-free protocol that they follow for patients with latex allergies.

If you have to stay in the hospital, you will usually be given your own room, free of latex products.

Do I Have to Change My Diet?

Latex allergies may also cross over into food groups. Or if you are already allergic to certain foods, you may be at high risk for developing a latex allergy.

The following foods can trigger a latex-like allergic reaction because the proteins in them mimic latex proteins as they break down in the body:

Banana Fig
Kiwi Peach
Grape Celery
Papaya Tomato
Nectarine Avocado
Melon Potato
Cherry Rye
Strawberry Wheat
Plum Chestnut
Pineapple Hazelnut

Note: Not all people who have these food allergies will also have latex allergies.

Reviewed by the doctors at The Cleveland Clinic Department of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine.

Edited by Charlotte E. Grayson, MD, Feb. 2004, WebMD.

Portions of this page © The Cleveland Clinic 2000-2004