Latex is a milky fluid that comes from the tropical rubber tree. Hundreds of everyday products contain latex. Repeated exposure to a protein in natural latex can make you more likely to develop a latex allergy. If your immune system detects the protein, a reaction can start in minutes. You could get a rash, asthma and in rare cases shock from latex exposure.
Latex products are all around you. Some common ones are
- Gloves
- Condoms
- Balloons
- Rubber bands
- Shoe soles
- Pacifiers
If you are allergic to latex, it is a good idea to learn which products contain it. That way, you can reduce your exposure. The most common reactions are to gloves and condoms. Latex-free alternatives exist for both.
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Tips to Remember: Latex Allergy(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology) - http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/latexallergy.stm
Also available in Spanish http://www.aaaai.org/espanol/tips/alergia_al_latex.stm
- Latex Allergy(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/latex-allergy/DS00621/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
- Allergy Testing(American Association for Clinical Chemistry) - http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/allergy/test.html
- Latex Allergy: A Prevention Guide(National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) - http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/98-113.html
- Latex in the Hospital, Home, and Community(Spina Bifida Association of America) - Links to PDF - http://www.sbaa.org/atf/cf/{99DD789C-904D-467E-A2E4-DF1D36E381C0}/Latex_2006.pdf
- Anaphylaxis (Severe Allergic Reaction)(American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology) - http://www.acaai.org/public/advice/anaph.htm
- FDA Clears Glove Made from New Type of Latex(Food and Drug Administration) - http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01822.html
- Article: Natural rubber latex allergy in children: clinical and immunological effects... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19227650&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Curry spice allergy associated with pollen-food allergy syndrome and latex... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19207436&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: The effect of a transition to powder-free latex gloves on... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19134434&tool=MedlinePlus
- Latex Allergy -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=latex+hypersensitivity[majr]+AND+humans[mh]+AND+english[la]+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+editorial[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus
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Find an Allergist: Search(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology) - http://www.aaaai.org/physref/
Also available in Spanish http://www.aaaai.org/physref/?espanol=yes
- American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology - http://www.aaaai.org/
- Food and Drug Administration - http://www.fda.gov/
- Latex Allergy in Children(InteliHealth) - http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/7945/9069/200602.html?d=dmtContent
- Allergy - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/allergy.html
- Immune System - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/immunesystem.html
The primary NIH organization for research on Latex Allergy is the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - http://www.niaid.nih.gov/