Latex (contact) allergy
Skin allergy to natural rubber latex.
About latex (contact) allergy
Natural rubber latex is unusual among contact allergens because it can cause two quite different reactions. The most serious is an immediate, IgE-mediated allergy to latex proteins, which can cause hives, swelling, breathing difficulty and, rarely, anaphylaxis within minutes of contact. Separately, many people develop a delayed, type IV allergic contact dermatitis to the chemicals used to manufacture rubber (such as accelerators), which appears 12 to 72 hours later. Latex allergy is more common in healthcare workers and others with heavy glove use, and in people who have had many operations.
The delayed reaction shows as an itchy, red, dry or blistered rash on the hands and wrists where gloves are worn, which can become chronic and cracked with repeated exposure. The immediate protein allergy instead causes rapid itching, redness, hives and swelling on contact, and in sensitised people can progress to more serious whole-body symptoms. Some people with latex protein allergy also react to certain foods such as banana, avocado, kiwi and chestnut, known as the latex-fruit syndrome.
Diagnosis depends on the type: patch testing identifies the delayed rubber-chemical allergy, while immediate latex protein allergy is assessed with specific blood or skin-prick tests. Management is strict avoidance, using non-latex or synthetic gloves and products. Anyone who has had an immediate reaction should seek specialist allergy assessment, may need to carry adrenaline, and should get urgent medical help if breathing or swelling is affected.
Common triggers
- Rubber gloves and balloons\nElastic bands and waistbands\nSome medical devices
Symptoms
- Red, itchy rash (contact dermatitis)
- Dry, cracked or scaly skin
- Blistering or weeping in severe cases
- Burning or stinging where skin met the trigger
Avoidance & management
- Avoid skin contact with the trigger
- Wear gloves or use barrier creams
- Choose products labelled free from the allergen
- Rinse skin promptly after contact
- Use emollients or prescribed steroid creams
Sources & references
Allergy safety: what everyone should know
Mild-to-moderate reaction signs
- Itching, hives or a raised rash
- Swelling of lips, face or eyes
- Tingling mouth, sneezing, runny nose
- Stomach pain, nausea or vomiting
Anaphylaxis — call 999 (UK) or 112 (EU) immediately
- Difficult or noisy breathing, wheeze, persistent cough
- Swelling of the tongue or tightness in the throat
- Dizziness, collapse, pale and floppy (young children)
- Use an adrenaline auto-injector (e.g. EpiPen) at once if prescribed, then call an ambulance even if symptoms improve
Allergy or intolerance? A true allergy involves the immune system and can escalate quickly; an intolerance (e.g. lactose intolerance) is unpleasant but not life-threatening. The symptoms overlap, so self-diagnosis is unreliable.
Getting tested: home-testing kits based on IgG are not diagnostically valid. If you suspect an allergy, ask a GP for referral to an allergy clinic for skin-prick or specific-IgE testing and a supervised food challenge where appropriate.