Latex—a natural rubber made from the sap of a tree—can be found in many items including bicycle and wheelchair tires, toys, some balloons, examining gloves, household gloves, surgical tubing, rubber bands and condoms. The major exposure of concern is to powdered latex gloves, because latex sticks to the powder and becomes airborne when these gloves are put on, taken off or snapped.
When someone is allergic to latex, that person is actually allergic to one or more proteins (allergens) found in the sap from the rubber tree. Interestingly, these proteins—or ones very similar—can be found in banana, kiwi, avocado, potato, strawberries, peaches and chestnuts. Therefore, people who are allergic to latex may have cross-reactions to these foods.
Raw latex is mixed with a variety of different chemicals that allow the latex to polymerize, or form, into long chains that can then be manipulated to form solid objects. Some of these chemicals can also cause allergic reactions that present as mild to severe itchy, red bumps or rashes (contact dermatitis). However, these chemicals do not cause asthma, hives, or hayfever-type symptoms.
This information has been approved by Karin Pacheco, MD (March 2009).
