Latex allergy, affecting about 16 million people in the U.S., is a sensitivity to proteins in natural rubber latex, which comes from the milky sap of rubber trees. Synthetic latex, such as in newspaper ink, coated papers, and latex paint, rarely causes allergic reactions.

Latex allergy is prevalent in people who are repeatedly in contact with latex products, affecting, or example, 5% to 15% of doctors and nurses – probably due to constant use of latex gloves. Frequency of reactions has not been determined for occasional users of rubber gloves, such as police officers, ambulance attendants, firemen, funeral home workers, restaurant workers, and gardeners.

Natural latex may be found in around 40,000 common items, including:

 

Allergic symptoms range from irritating to life threatening, and become progressively worse with repeated exposure. Symptoms usually occur with in minutes of exposure, but can be delayed for several hours. They include (individually or in combination):

• Skin redness, itchy rashes, urticaria hives or welts, angeioedema
• Runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion (rhinitis)
• Sore or scratchy throat, hoarse voice, coughing
• Swelling, especially around the nose, mouth, and throat
• Red, itching, or tearing eyes, conjunctivitis, periorbital edema
• Chest tightness, wheezing, shortness of breath, asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis
• Full-blown anaphylaxis (shock), which can cause flushed skin, vomiting, cramps, difficulty breathing; swelling of the throat, tongue and nose, loss of consciousness, and even death through suffocation or a severe drop in blood pressure.

Populations at risk for developing latex allergies:
• Patients with spina bifida and congenital genitourinary abnormalities
• Health care workers (dentists, nurses, physicians,
   lab workers, housekeepers)
• Rubber industry workers
• Atopic patients (asthma, rhinitis, eczema)
• Patients who have undergone multiple procedures

• Car tires
• Rubber bands
• Elastic

• Carpet backing
• Hospital and dental equipment

Dipped latex products are the biggest culprits, including gloves, balloons, and condoms.