Natural rubber latex is a kind of rubber obtained from the sap of rubber tree plants. Because it is very elastic, it can be easily made into a variety of medical products and everyday items. Anyone who uses these products may develop an allergy to proteins originating from the rubber tree or to chemicals used when the product is made. Recently, latex allergy has become more common. Fortunately, now it is more easily identified and understood.
Latex allergy is often characterized by itching, flushing, watery eyes or a rash. Hives or swelling may occur in the area touched by latex. More seriously, severely low blood pressure and/or swelling of the airway may result, causing problems with breathing. This is called an anaphylactic reaction and can cause death if not treated.
An allergic reaction can happen suddenly even if you have been exposed to latex products previously and not had any problems. A reaction is more likely to occur when latex comes in contact with mucous membranes such as those in the mouth, urinary tract or rectal area.
People with spina bifida seem to have a high risk of developing latex allergy. Although the reason is unclear, this may be due to frequent contact with latex products such as urinary catheters and surgical gloves. Other patients with a high risk of developing latex allergy include those who:
- Have been diagnosed with a spinal cord injury
- Have had six or more surgeries
- Have had long-term catheter use
- Have food allergies to avocado, banana, kiwi, papaya, passion fruit, chestnuts, peaches or tomatoes
- Have been exposed to frequent use of latex gloves/products
- Have exstrophy of the bladder
Gillette Children’s has reduced its use of latex and uses non-latex gloves, catheters and other medical equipment for all latex-allergic and high-risk patients. We recommend that non-latex products routinely be used at home, work, etc., if possible, for people in the high-risk group even if they have not had a reaction to latex.
Familiarize all of your health professionals, dentists, therapists, home nurses and care providers with latex precautions and latex allergy. A latex allergy wallet identification card is available from Gillette clinic nurses. If you have experienced a latex reaction, your doctor may want you to consider an Epi-pen® (bee sting kit) and a medical alert bracelet.
Latex is commonly found in the hospital, doctor’s office, dentist’s office, home and community. The following lists of latex/latex-free products are taken from a Spina Bifida Association of America publication. This is a sample listing of common products containing latex. You can find more complete listings from the Spina Bifida Association at www.sbaa.org. If there is any question about whether a product contains latex, contact the product manufacturer.
Latex in the Home and Community
Might Contain Latex | Safe Alternatives |
Art supplies: paints, glue, erasers, fabric paints | Look for latex-free brands - Elmers (school glue, Glue-All, GluColors, carpenters wood glue, Sno-Drift paste), FaberCastel art erasers, Crayola products (except for rubber stamps, |
Rubber balloons | Mylar balloons |
Balls: Koosh, tennis, bowling | Plastic or vinyl |
Carpet backing, gym floor, basement sealant | Provide barrier - cloth or mat |
Clothes: appliqué on T-shirts; elastic on socks, underwear; soles on sneakers, sandals | Cloth-covered elastic, neoprene (Decent Exposures, NOLATEX Industries) |
Elastic - on clothing, diapers | Cloth, Velcro |
Feeding nipples | Selected Gerber, Evenflo, MAM, Ross Mead Johnson nipples |
Handles on racquets, tools | Use vinyl, leather, or cover with cloth/tape |
Pacifiers | Soothies (Children’s Med Ventures), selected Binky, Gerber, Infa, Kip, MAM |
Latex paint | Avoid skin contact and inhalation |
Rubber bands, bungee cords | Plastic bands, string |
Toys - Stretch Armstrong, old Barbies | Jurassic Park figures (Kenner), 1993 Barbie, Disney dolls (Mattel), many toys by Fisher Price, Little Tikes, Playschool, Discovery, Trolls (Norfin) |
Water toys/equipment: masks, bathing suits, caps, scuba gear, goggles | PVC, plastic, nylon |
Zippered plastic storage bags | Waxed paper, plain plastic bags |
Band-Aids | Gauze with plastic tape, 3M Active strips (latex in pkg) |
Bed protectors (washable rubber) | Disposable underpads |
Blood pressure cuff | Use over clothing |
Catheters (rubber - Baxter, Bard) | Silicone (Kendall, Argyle), Plastic (Mentor, Bard) |
Crutches: tips, axillary pads, handgrips | Cover with cloth, nonlatex tape |
Dental dams, cups, bands, root canal material, | PURO/M27 intraoral elastics (Midwest Ortho), wire springs, dental sealant (Delton), dams (Meer Dental), John O. Buttler Co. |
Dressings: Dyna-flex (J&J), BDF Elastoplast | Duoderm (Squibb), Opsite |
Elastic bandage (Ace Wrap) | Elastic bandage by TENS or Baster, or cloth |
Electrode bulbs, pads, grounding | Selected Baxter, Dantec EMG, Conmed, ValleyLab, Vermont Med |
Endotracheal tubes, airways | Selected Berman, Mallenckrodt, Polamedco, Portex, Rusch, Sheridan, Shiley |
Enemas, Ready-to-use (Fleet-latex valve) | Glycerin, BabyLax (Fleet), Theravac, Bowel Management Tube (MIC) cone irrigation set (Convatec) |
G-tubes, buttons | Silicone (Bard, MIC, Stomate) |
Gloves, sterile, clean, surgical, latex | Vinyl, neoprene, polymer gloves |
Moleskin | Adhesive felt (Acme) |
Oxygen masks, cannulas | Remove elastic bands; check valve content |
Reflex hammers | Cover with plastic bag |
Stethoscope tubing | Do not let tubing touch child |
Suction tubing | Davel, Mallenckrodt, Yankau suction catheters |
Syringes | Some BD syringes Abbott PCA Abboject, Norm-Ject (Air-Tite), EpiPen |
Tapes: pink, Waterproof (3M), zonas, Moleskin, | Dermaclear, Dermicel, Waterproof (J&J), Durapore, Microfoam, Micropore, Transpore (3M), Mastisol liquid adhesive |
Tourniquet (for blood drawing) | Place over clothing or Children’s Med Ventures, Grafco, VelcroPedic, X-Tourn straps (Avcor) |
Wheelchair cushions (ROHO) | Cover with cloth |
This information is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace the advice of your health care providers. If you have any questions, talk with your doctor or others on your health care team. If you are a Gillette patient with urgent questions or concerns, please contact Telehealth Nursing at 651-229-3890.