Latex
Allergy Facts, Symptoms, and Treatment

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

Are there other allergens I could be sensitized to?*

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

• Indicates symptoms are caused by latex.
• Associated with symptoms such as urticaria (aka hives), rhinitis (sometimes called hay fever), asthma, and severe reactions, even anaphylaxis, in occupations exposed to latex (e.g., healthcare workers, hairdressers, etc.).
• May cause symptoms during intake of plant foods, e.g., avocado, banana, chestnut, and kiwi, due to cross-reactivity (aka latex-food syndrome).

rHev b 1, rHev b 3

• Indicates symptoms are caused by latex.
• Associated with symptoms such as urticaria (aka hives), asthma, and severe reactions, even anaphylaxis, in patients exposed to latex going through multiple surgeries, e.g., patients with spina bifida.

rHev b 8 (profilin)

• Positive sIgE for latex in combination with rHev b 8 being the only positive component test indicate that latex allergy is unlikely and avoidance of latex is not necessary.
• Associated with mild, localized symptoms (e.g., oral symptoms such as itching and swelling).
• Symptoms are likely caused by sensitization to a primary pollen source such as grass pollen, birch, ragweed, mugwort, raw plant foods (e.g., tomato, melon, citrus fruits, banana, pineapple, persimmon, zucchini, tomato), and more.

rHev b 11

• Indicates that symptoms may be caused by something other than latex and avoidance of latex products is not necessary. Associated with mild, localized symptoms (e.g., oral symptoms such as itching and swelling).
• Symptoms may occur with exposure to certain plant foods (e.g., avocado, banana, chestnut, and kiwi). This cross-reactive allergy is called latex-food syndrome.

MUXF3 (CCD)

• Positive specific IgE for latex in combination with MUXF3 CCD (Cross-Reactive Carbohydrate Determinant) being the only positive component test indicates that the cause of symptoms may be something other than latex.

Do I need to avoid all forms of latex?

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.