Symptoms

If you're allergic to latex, you're likely to have symptoms after touching latex rubber products, such as gloves or balloons. You can also have symptoms if you breathe in latex particles that are released into the air when someone removes latex gloves.

Latex allergy symptoms range from mild to severe. A reaction depends on how sensitive you are to latex and the amount of latex you touch or inhale. Your reaction can become worse with each additional latex exposure.

Mild symptoms

Mild latex allergy symptoms include:

• Itching
• Skin redness
• Hives or rash

More-severe symptoms

These include:

• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Itchy, watery eyes
• Scratchy throat
• Difficulty breathing
• Wheezing
• Cough

Life-threatening symptoms: Anaphylaxis

The most serious allergic reaction to latex is anaphylaxis, which can be deadly. An anaphylactic (an-uh-fuh-LAK-tik) reaction develops immediately after latex exposure in highly sensitive people, but it rarely happens the first time you're exposed.

Signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis include:

• Difficulty breathing
• Hives or swelling
• Nausea and vomiting
• Wheezing
• Drop in blood pressure
• Dizziness
• Loss of consciousness
• Confusion
• Rapid or weak pulse

When to see a doctor

Seek emergency medical care if you are having or think you're having an anaphylactic reaction.

If you have less severe reactions after exposure to latex, talk to your doctor. If possible, see your doctor when you're reacting, which will aid in diagnosis.