Latex Allergen Facts, Symptoms, and Treatment
Learn more about common allergic diseases, symptoms, management paradigms, and testing considerations.
Is your patient a candidate for specific IgE testing?
Get detailed information on whole allergens and allergen components.
Ready to test a patient?
Learn more about common allergic diseases, symptoms, management paradigms, and testing considerations.
Is your patient a candidate for specific IgE testing?
Get detailed information on whole allergens and allergen components.
Ready to test a patient?
Latex comes from the milky sap of the rubber tree, which is grown mainly in Thailand, Indochina, Malaysia, and India.1 Each year, more than 12 million tons of natural rubber is produced, which is then used to make myriad household products, including everything from condoms and rubber bands to balloons and remote-control buttons.2,3 In addition, latex is ubiquitous in healthcare and is commonly used in gloves.4
Typical latex-allergy reactions are caused by inhalation and direct skin or mucus-membrane contact. Thus, people wearing latex gloves have direct-contact exposure; however, when gloves are removed, powdered lubricants inside the gloves can cling to latex proteins and make them airborne during donning and removal.1
The following populations are at risk of developing an allergy due to their regular use of latex products: healthcare workers, dental-practice staff, residential-care providers, cleaners/housekeepers, hairdressers, caterers, mechanics, entertainers who handle balloons, and electrical-industry personnel. However, others are also at an increased risk including those with certain food allergies and people undergoing multiple surgical procedures.3 In fact, up to 72 percent of children with spina bifida, who are often exposed to latex products through early and frequent healthcare, have a latex sensitization.1,5 And for those sensitized to latex, asthma is a major risk factor for more severe allergic reactions.3 Overall, prevalence is high among healthcare workers (9.7 percent), susceptible patients (7.2 percent), and the general population (4.3 precent).2
In addition to gloves, many items contain latex, such as:4,8,9 stethoscopes, catheters, IV tubing, tourniquets, electrode pads, syringes, respirators, dental dams, drainage tubes, blood-pressure cuffs, syringes, endotracheal tubes, surgical masks, goggles, car tires, bicycle handgrips, carpeting, racquet handles, shoe soles, expandable fabrics (e.g., waistbands), dishwashing gloves, hot water bottles, balloons, condoms, diaphragms, pacifiers, baby-bottle nipples, raincoats, rain boots, sanitary napkins, and some types of toys, bandages, makeup, face paint, and costume masks.
According to reports, latex allergies also can be caused by food contaminated by workers wearing latex gloves, and medicines and vaccines can be contaminated by latex-containing vials and medical devices.2 Some people with severe latex allergy have even reported reactions in the vicinity of balloon displays.3 However, synthetic latex, which is found in items such as latex paint, is unlikely to cause a reaction.5
Some people with a latex allergy may also experience oral symptoms (e.g., itching and swelling) and anaphylaxis when eating a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, and nuts.1,7 This association is called latex-fruit syndrome, which is a type of cross-reactivity that occurs when your body's immune system identifies the proteins, or components, in different substances as being structurally similar or biologically related, thus triggering a response. While many fruits are involved in latex-fruit syndrome, the most common culprits are avocado, banana, chestnut, and kiwi.1
Knowing the proteins, or components, within each allergen that are triggering your symptoms can help guide your management plan. With that in mind, and based on your symptom history, your healthcare provider may suggest something called a specific IgE component test, which can help reveal other pollens and foods you may react to. Results from this test can also help your healthcare provider decide if allergen immunotherapy may reduce your symptoms.1
Already have your specific IgE component test results?
Your component test results will include the name of the components (a series of letters and numbers). Your healthcare provider will likely review the results with you, but here you'll find an at-a-glance breakdown you can use as a reference. Simply match the component names to the list below to see what they mean in terms of symptom management.1
rHev b 5, rHev b 6.02
rHev b 1, rHev b 3
rHev b 8 (profilin)
rHev b 11
MUXF3 (CCD)
The most important latex exposure to avoid is powder from powdered latex gloves. Solid objects containing latex, such as rubber bands, blood pressure tubing, bicycle tires, and the like, are not a hazard for asthma or hay fever symptoms because they do not emit latex particles.11
*These products may not be approved for clinical use in your country. Please work with your healthcare provider to understand availability.
If you are allergic to latex, your healthcare provider may recommend a plan that includes the following.3, 8-12
Your healthcare provider may direct you to take one of the following medications to improve your allergy symptoms:
If you're with someone who's having an allergic reaction and shows signs of shock, act fast. Look for pale, cool, and clammy skin; a weak, rapid pulse; trouble breathing; confusion; and loss of consciousness. Do the following immediately:
Reaction severity can depend on your level of sensitivity and the amount of exposure; plus, it can worsen with each additional exposure.5 Latex symptoms can include the following:1,6,7
Delayed-Type Contact Dermatitis
Usually triggered by added chemicals in the rubber, these reactions typically appear 12 to 36 hours after exposure and can include:
Immediate Allergic Reactions
After someone has been exposed to latex and has become sensitized to it, he or she may elicit any or all of the following symptoms upon re-exposure:
Anaphylaxis, a Potentially Life-Threatening Event
In the most serious cases, symptoms occur within minutes and may cause anaphylaxis. Symptoms may include any or all of the following:
Latex-Fruit Syndrome
Symptoms may also include the following, which are associated with latex-fruit syndrome:
Together with your symptom history, skin-prick testing or specific IgE blood testing can help determine if you are sensitized to a particular allergen. If you are diagnosed with an allergy, your healthcare provider will work with you to create a management plan.
*These products may not be approved for clinical use in your country. Please work with your healthcare provider to understand availability.
Because allergic reactions are unpredictable and symptoms range from local reactions to severe, such as anaphylaxis, it is recommended that an epinephrine prescription be considered for any patient with an IgE-mediated allergy.11