Causes of AllergyLátex
Latex Allergy Objects made with latex are very common in our environment and so people may get sensitized

Latex is got from the Hevea brasilienis sap tree and is made up of different proteins. The final product suffer processing (coagulation, vulcanization and chemical products addition.

Latex is widely used in the medical daily routine: gloves, stickers, catheter, masks, etc.

It is also very used in everyday objects: ballons, toys, balls, bicycle handlebars, shoe soles, tennis racket handles, etc...
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The most frequent symptoms in latex allergy may be by direct contact or by the inhalation of latex particle. Therefore it may cause urticaria, asthma, rhinitis, conjunctivitis or anaphylaxis (generalized allergic reaction). Latex proteins are the culprit of the reactions due to inhaled partiles. If the patient suffers a conctact dermatitis the responsible of the disease are the additives used in the vulcanization industrial process.
At Risk Group

Repeated latex exposure is seen in:
Health workers: surgeons, dentists, nurses.
Patients with repeated surgery, like spina bifida patients.
Workers of Rubber industries.
There are Allergy shots to treat Latex Allergy



Latex and fruits

Latex may elicita a cross reaction with some vegetal foods, mainly banana, chestnut, kiwi and tropical fruits. The latex-fruit syndrome is due to the common proteins contained in latex and in these fruits.


More information

Living with latex allergy.

Spanish Society of Latex Allergic Patients