Latex Allergy

• When you have a latex allergy, you are allergic to the proteins in natural rubber latex. Your body is reacting to the protein as if it were a harmful substance, causing you to experience one or more symptoms. Your doctor can diagnose latex allergy with a blood test or allergy skin test.
  
  

Symptoms to Watch For

• Latex allergy may cause respiratory problems like asthma (wheezing or difficulty breathing), tightness in your chest, coughing, a sore throat, a runny nose, sneezing and nasal congestion; skin problems such as itching, redness and swelling (hives and welts); stomach problems like cramps, diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain; itchy and watery eyes; headache; and in severe cases anaphylactic shock (a life-threatening condition).
  
  

Anaphylactic Shock from Latex Exposure

• Anaphylactic shock is a deadly allergic reaction. Some people with food allergies or insect allergies are at risk of anaphylaxis. The same goes for people with latex allergy, so you should take this allergy seriously.
  
  This should be considered an emergency and life-threatening situation. It occurs rapidly, causes the airways to tighten and constrict, limits air flow to the lungs, and causes blood pressure to drop to dangerously low levels.
  
  People in anaphylactic shock may feel dizzy or lose consciousness, will act confused and have difficulty speaking, may have blue lips, skin and nails, have a weak but rapid pulse, have nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
  
  People who have severe latex allergy and who are at risk for anaphylaxis should ask their doctor about carrying an auto-injector with epinephrine in case of an emergency.
  
  

What to Avoid

• The best way to keep from getting latex-allergy symptoms is by avoiding latex. You don't necessarily have to touch the latex to experience symptoms. You can have problems by breathing in the latex proteins as well. Many medical supplies contain latex, so health-care workers with latex allergy should be especially vigilant in avoiding these products. Products containing latex include latex gloves, diaphragms, bandages, blood-pressure cuffs, stethoscope tubing, tourniquets, some condoms, balloons, pacifiers, baby-bottle nipples, dental dams, dishwashing gloves, spandex clothing, and elastic.
  
  

Foods to Beware of if You Have Latex Allergy

• Some people with latex allergy also have allergies to the following foods: bananas, avocados, chestnuts, almonds, kiwi, apples, carrots, papayas, tomatoes, celery, almonds, melons, potatoes, pears, peaches, plums and cherries.