Symptoms of Latex Allergy
When the immune system detects latex proteins, a range of reactions can start within minutes or hours.
Symptoms of latex allergy (immediate hypersensitivity) may be mild or severe:
Mild reactions include: skin rashes, hives, flushing, itching, nasal, eye or sinus symptoms. Mild reactions may progress quickly and unpredictably to a severe reaction.
Symptoms of severe reactions include:coughing, wheezing, bronchospasms (asthma), or life threatening anaphylaxis and shock.
Anaphylaxis is characterized by hives, laryngeal edema, shortness of breath, tachycardia (very rapid heart rate) and bronchospasms (asthma).
It is rarely the first sign of latex allergy, but milder reactions often go unnoticed until a life threatening event occurs.
Reactions to certain foods, and especially: potatoes, tomatoes, bananas, avocados, kiwi, papaya, and chestnuts are also associated with latex allergy.