Prevalence
Certain groups of individuals who are frequently exposed to latex are at high risk for developing immediate allergic reactions. Individuals with spina bifida (a congenital problem in the development of the back) and those with congenital urinary tract problems seem to have a risk of nearly 50%. Health care workers and others whose jobs require wearing latex gloves or working around them have a risk of about 10%. Others who may be at increased risk are those who have had many medical or surgical procedures, resulting in repeated exposure to latex gloves. Rubber industry workers also are at increased risk. Even in normal adults, the risk of sensitization to latex may be as high as 6%.

People with latex allergy may also experience an allergic reaction to some foods that contain some of the same allergenic proteins as those in latex. This reaction, called cross-reactivity, can be triggered by bananas, avocados, kiwi fruit, and European chestnuts.

  Evaluation and treatment
The first step in treating latex allergy is awareness of the problem. Visit your allergist if you think you may have symptoms of latex allergy. After taking a detailed history and examining you, your doctor will decide whether additional tests for latex allergy are needed. If you are allergic to latex, you should avoid contact with natural rubber latex products as much as possible. Inform family, health care workers, employers and school personnel about your allergy.

Discuss with your physician whether you should wear a special bracelet or necklace that notifies others of your allergy. Your doctor will also determine whether you should carry injectable adrenalin (epinephrine) to provide immediate, emergency treatment in case you experience a severe allergic reaction.

If you have reactions to latex, see an allergist. The 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) covers those with severe allergies to substances such as latex. If you are otherwise qualified but can no longer work with latex in a job setting because of your allergy, work with your employer to determine other options and make reasonable accommodations. If you are allergic and need to wear gloves, or are in contact with persons wearing gloves, there are several options.

You may try substituting vinyl gloves for latex gloves, although they may not work as well in some situations. Synthetic latex gloves are another option. These work in nearly all situations where latex gloves work, including surgery, but they are more expensive. For individuals with contact reactions to latex, latex gloves made without additional chemicals may work.

If you have significant latex allergy respiratory symptoms from inhaling latex particles, you need to ensure that you avoid areas where powdered gloves are used frequently. Ideally, all high glove use areas should use powder-free gloves to avoid allergic reactions.

Using latex condoms can be a severe problem for some latex-allergic people. One option is natural skin condoms. These do not contain latex and can prevent pregnancy, but they do not protect against viruses like HIV, which cause AIDS, or some other sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs). Synthetic rubber condoms, created to prevent both pregnancy and STDs, are now available.

Manufacturers are currently working to produce latex products that contain less latex allergen. As these products become more available, the risk of reactions in those sensitive to latex, as well as the risk of more people developing latex allergy, should decrease.