An allergy is an extreme sensitivity to a certain substance. If you have latex allergy, you are sensitive to natural rubber latex. This is a growing problem among people who work in healthcare.

What Is Latex?

• Natural rubber latex is made from a liquid taken from the rubber tree.

• Latex surgical gloves, balloons, condoms, rubber bands, rubber balls, baby bottle nipples—all contain natural rubber latex.

• Foods such as bananas, avocados, chestnuts, kiwis, and tomatoes contain proteins similar to those in natural rubber latex. An allergy to these foods may make you more likely to develop a latex allergy.

How a Latex Allergy Develops

• Latex protein is the allergen that causes latex allergies.

• The more exposure a person has to latex protein, the more likely it is that an allergy will develop.

For more information on allergies, support groups, and product substitutions, try the resources below. A.L.E.R.T., Inc., 888-972-5378 http://latexallergylinks.tripod.com

Know the Symptoms of a Latex Allergy

• If the latex protein touches your skin, you may have a local (skin) reaction.

• If the latex protein gets into your lungs or bloodstream, you may have a systemic (whole body) reaction.

• In either case, symptoms can occur right away or many hours later. Symptoms can also range from mild to very serious.