Latex is found in many medical devices and products, including blood-pressure cuffs, catheters, anesthesia and hemodialysis equipment and latex gloves. Frequent exposure raises the likelihood of developing an allergic reaction to the material. Increased sensitivity to latex is partly due to the fact that so many more people use latex gloves since the onset of AIDS, but no one knows the whole story yet. Proteins cause latex allergies. There are roughly 60 to 80 proteins in the natural latex obtained from the tropical rubber tree Hevea , the source of most of the natural latex used in commercial products.
Research is underway to identify the proteins most likely to cause allergic reactions.
The most common symptoms of latex allergy are a hive-like rash, swollen or watery eyes, and itchy skin immediately after coming into contact with a product containing latex. The reaction can occur after blowing up a balloon or using rubber gloves to wash the dishes. Latex-sensitive people also are likely to have an allergic reaction to certain types of foods, including avocados, kiwis, plums, peaches, cherries and nuts, because latex and some foods may share similar allergens. In a minority of people, latex allergies can cause life-threatening anaphylactic shock, a condition where blood pressure drops dramatically and breathing becomes difficult. Anyone who shows symptoms of latex allergy should make an appointment with a dermatologist or an allergist to determine the source of their symptoms.