Latex Allergies

Hi M.,
I am allergic to avocado and always are asked if I am allergic to latex (so far I don't think I am). I think Kit's reply explains why. Good luck!

Hi M.,

here are a couple of resources. Just remember you will not neccesarily have a reaction to the foods or products, but I would be careful if your child has not been exposed to them before. Sometimes as they get older it can intensify.

http://www.latexallergyresources.org/resourcemanual/secti...

Latex allergies may also cross over into food groups. If you are already allergic to certain foods, you may be at high risk for developing a latex allergy. The following foods can trigger a latex-like allergic reaction because the proteins in them mimic latex proteins as they break down in the body:

* Banana
* Avocado
* Potato
* Kiwi
* Papaya
* Fig
* Pineapple
* Peach
* Plum
* Cherry
* Strawberry
* Melon
* Nectarine
* Grape
* Tomato
* Celery
* Rye
* Wheat
* Hazelnut
* Chestnut

You should be concerned about latex gloves, most band aids have latex in them, but you can get them without, the cuff to check blood pressure if it is left on too long. I am allergic to latex, but just when I come in contact with it on my skin. Some people have allergic reactions when they breathe it also. You should have him tested to make sure. It could be something else.

Hi M.,

My daughter had a reaction at the Dentist about a year ago. Her bottom lip swelled up to the size of a hot dog. I took her to the allergist, and after $300-$400 later, they couldnt find out what she was allergic to. They assumed it was the "cain" in the numbing agent, but wasn't proved under testing. We are still in question about what caused the reaction. We are now attempting to see the dentist with caution. Good luck with your allergies! I hope you find out what caused the reaction.

My husband is allergic to latex and also allergic to several other things. I'm sure your son isn't allergic to it all (as my husband has asthma so that's the cause for some of his allergies), but you'll probably want to get him some testing to find out everything that he is allergic to. Here's what my husband is allergic to:
-Latex
-Mold
-Penicillan
-Avocado
-Kiwi
-Bananas (mild)
-Sulphur
-Fresh Peaches
-Hayfever (grass, hay, certain trees, etc.)

Good luck!

Have you called the dentist to confirm that the gloves have latex in them? There are also vinyl gloves. I would be surprised that a dentist would use latex as so many people are sensitive to it. I would check this and be sure that this is the problem.

Look out for polyethylene in any form. Forms that have gotten me - and have caused rashes, include bandages, plastic dish pans, and cosmetics and skin creams with polythelene listed as an ingredient.

He may also be hypersensitive to some synthetic detergents and fragrances.

the last time i went to the dentist they asked if i have a metal allergy. since he is only 7, he may not have had the opportunity yet to be exposed to metals from wearing a watch or something else close to his skin, so it may not have shown before. just an idea.

Since my sister is allergic to latex (severely) I can give you a list of what our no nos are

Balloons-Mylar ones are ok
Paint-Particularly SemiGloss, Gloss, the nice washable paints. Once it's dried it's ok it's only when it's wet that it's a problem. This is from the fumes not just touching it.

Of course Latex gloves and when he gets older if he chooses to use condoms he will want to use the polyurthane ones instead of the latex ones.

Some people with latex allergies can have reactions to bananas since banana trees contain trace amounts of natural occuring latex. Usually though these allergic reactions are not life threatening-most just get small cold sore like blisters on the roof of the mouth.

T.

Hi M.,

As someone with a latex allergy, I know how frustrating it can be since latex is found in so many things!

I found this article by the Mayo Clinic to be very helpful: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/latex-allergy/DS00621

Do you know for sure that the dentist was wearing latex gloves? Most medical professionals don't, but I would want to make sure just to rule out that your son didn't react to something other then latex - allergies can be so scary!

One other thing that I've found irritating to my skin is glue such as rubber cement. I normally just wear latex free gloves when I work on projects with glue. I also make sure to mention it whenever I get shots or blood drawn so I don't get a band-aid - many have latex. Also, only Mylar balloons are allowed in my house!

Good luck in figuring out your son's allergy and I hope the article helps :)

If you suspect it was latex, I'd suggest having him tested. It will be good to know exactly what it is he's allergic to, and how severe. Many allergies get worse with exposure, while others build a tolerance. You'll want to know how to treat reactions in the future, too (benadryl, epi-pen, if/when he needs to go to the ER, etc)

They are phasing latex out of a lot of the medical equipment now, but some places are slower at switching over than others, and may still have latex compontents.

Also, balloons have latex. So do some pacifiers and baby bottle nipples (not that your 7 y.o. will be using either of those, but he could come into contact with them and should know if they are safe or not).

I have a mild latex allergy. There is latex in all kind of things. Sorry if this is TMI but I am alleregic to regular condoms and to anything with latex in it that stays in contact with my skin for long periods of time such as certian types of bandaids. They do make latex free bandaids.