For the majority of people, an allergic reaction to latex causes only mild symptoms.

For a very small number of people, exposure to latex may result in anaphylactic shock, which can be dangerous. This is why latex allergy has to be taken seriously by every affected person. But remember, anaphylactic shock is very rare.

If you come into contact with latex, there are a number of ways you might be affected:

Itching or swelling caused by direct contact with latex
Breathing or nasal / eye problems caused by airborne allergens in powder
Anaphylaxis caused by latex in direct contact with mucous membranes

The type of reaction you experience and how severe it is will depend on:

• How sensitive you are to latex.
• How you are exposed to it.
• The type and amount of allergen you come into contact with.

It is possible for the same person to have different kinds of reaction at different times.

In general, reactions occur within minutes of exposure to latex, although sometimes symptoms can take up to an hour or two to appear.

Itching or swelling caused by direct contact with latex

The most common way people get a reaction is when a latex-containing product comes into contact with the body directly. This might be from:

• wearing latex gloves – which can trigger a reaction on the hands
• using latex condoms – which can cause a reaction on the genitals
• blowing up balloons – which can lead to a reaction around the lips or in the mouth

In these situations, you are likely to get stinging or burning of the skin, or an itchy, red, swollen rash known as urticaria (also called nettle rash, hives or wheals). Click here for a picture of urticaria.

Urticaria affecting the skin is not a serious condition, although it may spread with repeated exposure to other areas and become quite uncomfortable.

Angioedema is similar to urticaria except that the swelling is deeper in the skin or mucous membrane (mucous membranes are soft, moist areas, such as the inside of the mouth or vagina).

Angioedema is potentially serious if it causes the tongue to swell up, because this can make it difficult to breathe.

Link to picture of urticaria and angioedema.

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Breathing or nasal / eye problems caused by airborne allergens in powder

Sometimes, the latex allergens (the proteins in latex that cause you to have an allergic reaction) become airborne, having been carried there (aerosolized) by the powder that is present in gloves or balloons.

If you come into contact with these airborne allergens by breathing them in, then you might get:

• a runny nose (rhinitis)
• watery itchy eyes (conjunctivitis)
• wheezing (bronchospasm)

Rhinitis and conjunctivitis are not serious, but bronchospasm can be, particularly in people with asthma which has not been well-controlled by their inhaler treatment.

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Anaphylaxis caused by latex in direct contact with mucous membranes

In a very small number of people, a severe and potentially life-threatening reaction may occur if they are very sensitive and have sufficient exposure to latex. This is known as anaphylaxis.

To trigger anaphylaxis, the latex usually has to be in direct contact with a mucous membrane, or with internal surfaces during an operation. Mucous membranes are soft, moist areas, such as the inside of the mouth, vagina or rectum.

In these situations, the latex allergens are absorbed into the body more easily, so have a much greater effect.

Symptoms of anaphylaxis may include:

• flushing and urticaria (nettle rash / hives) anywhere on the body (due to leaky, dilated blood vessels)
• difficulty in swallowing or speaking (due to swelling at back of throat)
• difficulty in breathing (due to narrowing of airways)
• abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting (due to swelling of the gut wall)
• sudden feeling of weakness, with possible collapse and unconsciousness (due to drop in blood pressure)

All or only some of these symptoms may occur during an anaphylactic shock.

Please remember, anaphylaxis is very rare, but as there is no way of predicting in advance who this might happen to, or when it might happen, it is very important that all people with latex allergy should be aware of this possibility, and in particular

• avoid latex coming into contact with mucous membranes wherever possible
• alert all healthcare professionals to their allergy so that all medical and dental procedures / operations are conducted in a latex-safe environment

See treatments for how to deal with anaphylaxis.

If you would like some more information about anaphylaxis, see:

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