People who have repeated exposure to latex, such as health care workers, are at greater risk for developing sensitivity. Only extreme cases of latex allergies have resulted in death. The primary risk is to health care workers and others who wear latex gloves. Others at risk are individuals who have a history or who will be undergoing multiple surgical procedures, such as children with spina bifida. Individuals with a history of progressive allergic reactions to foods are known to cross-react with natural rubber latex.
Food allergy is common in latex allergic individuals.
Reactions are less common but have been reported to peanut, peppers, citrus fruits, coconut, pineapple, mango, fig, passion fruit, condurango bark and ugli fruit. Hand dermatitis, particularly if severe or if changing in severity in those who wears latex gloves. Outside of these recognized risk groups, latex allergy is very uncommon, with estimates of less than 1 percent prevalence in the general population. Latex comes from latex trees, not grown in the United States. It appears that the proteins that are on the surface of latex are the general cause for allergies.