The Michniaks have had mixed success getting people to understand their problem. Some businesses instantly take down balloons and try to help, while others scoff at the problem. So many people don't know about it, and it's getting more common. People have died from this. It's not a small thing.
Medical officials agree.
And they are some of the biggest sufferers. The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology in Illinois said the number of serious latex allergic reactions has taken a big jump in recent years. Josh had three digestive tract operations by the time he was 9 months old, and a fourth when he was 5 years old, and his parents and doctors believe that triggered his allergy. The irony is that the gloves doctors have been wearing to prevent infection for the past 15 to 20 years have turned into a source of medical problems themselves. An allergic reaction happens when the body's immune system reacts to the proteins in latex.