Latex allergy is caused by a reaction to proteins in natural rubber latex. Repeated contact can make you more likely to develop the allergy. Tell a doctor if you react after contact with latex. Once you become sensitive, even a small amount of exposure may cause a reaction.
A latex allergy happens when your immune system reacts to proteins in natural rubber latex. Natural rubber latex comes from the sap of a rubber tree.
The immediate form is called type I allergy. It involves antibodies called IgE that react to rubber-tree sap proteins. One skin-prick study looked at 62 healthcare workers with confirmed natural rubber latex allergy. It tested proteins called Hev b 2, Hev b 5, Hev b 6.01, and Hev b 13. Each caused skin reactions in more than 60% of the allergic group. These results describe the people in that study, not every person with latex allergy.
Repeated exposure can make an allergy more likely. This can lead to sensitization, meaning your body has become able to react to latex. No one knows how much exposure it takes for this to happen. Once it happens, even low exposure may cause a reaction.
Anyone can develop a latex allergy. Your risk is higher if you often spend a long time around latex. Higher-risk groups include:
Healthcare and rubber-industry workers, and others who often use latex gloves.
People who have had many operations, especially during childhood.
People with spina bifida or urinary-system problems. Their risk may be higher because they use many medical products that contain latex to manage their condition.
People with certain food allergies. These include allergies to banana, avocado, kiwi, papaya, or chestnut.
People prone to allergies, such as asthma, hay fever, or eczema.
People with current or past dermatitis, which means skin inflammation.
Having a risk factor does not mean you have a latex allergy. If you suspect one, see an allergist.
No. Latex proteins can cause an immediate allergy. Rubber-making chemicals can cause a different allergy. Irritation is not an allergy. These reactions can look alike. Ask a doctor to assess your reaction rather than judging it by its looks.
Immediate latex-protein allergy: It can cause itching and swelling where latex touches your skin. This usually starts within minutes, but it can start several hours later. It can also affect the nose, eyes, or breathing.
Delayed chemical allergy: Chemicals called rubber accelerators can cause an allergy. It causes itchy, red skin and is called allergic contact dermatitis. After a person becomes sensitive, a reaction to these chemicals in natural rubber latex gloves can start 10 to 24 hours after contact. It can worsen over the following 72 hours.
Irritant dermatitis: This is skin damage, not an allergy, and can cause redness, soreness, dryness, or cracks. With natural rubber latex gloves, possible causes include glove chemicals, sweating, trapped moisture, or skin contamination.
A doctor starts with your medical history and a physical exam. Skin or blood tests may help find the trigger. If you suspect an allergy, see an allergist, a doctor who specializes in allergies.
Tell the doctor about any symptoms after latex exposure. Mention any reactions during surgery or dental care. Also mention your other allergies. Ask which tests fit your reaction. A patch test can check for allergic contact dermatitis. A skin-prick test is used for contact reactions that cause itching and swelling. In the United States, latex skin testing is not easy to find. A blood test can be done. Latex antibodies in your blood may mean you have an allergy.
Do not test yourself by trying a latex product again. A trial exposure can cause a severe reaction. It should happen only under an allergist's supervision.
Where can you encounter latex and reduce exposure?
Latex can be found in household goods, medical products, and workplaces. If you have a latex allergy, avoid contact with latex. Tell people who may use latex products around you.
At home: Balloons, rubber bands, latex gloves, clothing elastic, condoms, and diaphragms may contain latex. Latex mattresses and pillows are also on the list of items likely to contain it. Ask the mattress maker if your specific model contains latex. A CertiPUR-US foam certification does not mean the whole mattress is latex-free. For more on the mattress question, see latex mattresses and allergies.
At work or school: Tell your employer if latex products are used at work. Stay away from areas where they are used. If you are often around latex at work or school, use latex-free gloves. Ask people nearby to use latex gloves without powder. Powder from latex gloves can carry latex proteins through the air and be inhaled.
For a child: Tell daycare providers, teachers, and other caregivers about the allergy. If you are unsure whether a toy contains latex, check its packaging or ask the maker.
During medical and dental care: Tell your doctor, dentist, and anyone drawing your blood about the allergy. Tell medical staff before a test, procedure, or operation. Ask them to record the allergy in your notes. Medical and surgical procedures pose a high risk of latex exposure. They can be done under latex-free conditions.
At restaurants: Ask whether food handlers wear latex gloves. Latex proteins can pass from gloves to food and kitchen surfaces. Some very sensitive people have become ill from food made by someone wearing latex gloves, but this is rare.
Call 911 for signs of a severe allergic reaction. Latex allergy can cause anaphylaxis, a serious reaction that can involve severe breathing trouble or a drop in blood pressure.
Signs of a severe allergic reaction may include:
Raised, red hives all over the body.
Swelling of the throat, mouth, lips, or tongue.
Trouble breathing.
Passing out, or feeling very lightheaded, suddenly weak, confused, or restless.
Severe belly pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
If you think you are having anaphylaxis and have an epinephrine auto-injector, use it. Call 911 after an epinephrine shot, even if you feel better. Lie down and stay down. Do not stand or walk, even if you feel better. If you have trouble breathing, raise your shoulders or sit up slowly. If you are pregnant, lie on your left side. Anaphylaxis needs immediate hospital treatment.
Can you develop a latex allergy after years of exposure?
Yes. Sensitivity can develop over time, especially if you are often exposed to latex. Most latex allergy develops after many past exposures. Exposure does not mean you will develop an allergy.
Symptoms can include itching, hives, swelling, a stuffy or runny nose, wheezing, chest tightness, or difficulty breathing. Symptoms in sensitized people usually start within minutes, but they can occur hours later. Call 911 for signs of a severe reaction, including trouble breathing.
Should you carry epinephrine or wear medical alert identification?
Ask your allergist if you should carry an epinephrine auto-injector. Also ask if an allergy-alert bracelet is right for you. If you are prescribed epinephrine, carry it and teach people who spend time with you how to give it. If you wear or carry medical ID, ask a health professional to check that its wording is accurate.
We read 24 published pages from 17 sites (cuh.nhs.uk, medlineplus.gov, hse.gov.uk, acaai.org and 13 more), checked in October 2026. Every sentence in the answers above cites one of them; the offer card at the end names its own source. This page reports published sources only; we did not test mattresses in person.