Latex Allergy Foods: What to Eat and What to Avoid

For some people with a latex allergy, foods like avocado, bananas, and kiwi can also cause an allergic reaction known as latex-fruit syndrome.

Natural latex is a milky sap from the Hevea brasiliensis rubber tree used to make balloons, condoms, mattresses, and many medical and dental products. Latex allergies can cause symptoms that range from a mild rash or stuffy nose to life-threatening anaphylaxis.

Many foods contain proteins similar to those in natural latex. An estimated 30% to 50% of people with latex allergies have a cross-reaction to foods with these proteins.

This article explains why this cross-reactivity happens and how to identify latex allergy foods. It also lists some foods and latex products that some people with latex allergic reactions also have to avoid.

Latex Allergy Reaction Signs and Symptoms

An allergic reaction to latex can range from a reasonably mild, itchy rash on the skin to the severe and systemic effects of a potentially fatal anaphylactic shock. The reaction can happen immediately, or for certain skin reactions, you may experience a delayed response of up to 48 hours.

There are two types of latex allergies: A classic allergy is a full-body immune system response. The other only affects the skin (contact dermatitis). 

Classic Latex Allergy

A classic latex allergy is an immunoglobulin E (IgE) mediated immune response triggered by proteins in natural latex. An IgE-mediated response can be life-threatening and occurs when latex touches skin or mucous membranes, or particles are inhaled. 

Classic latex allergy symptoms include:

• Urticaria (hives)
• Itching or flushing
• Tightness in the throat
• Wheezing
• Tightness in the throat

In some cases, a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis can occur. This causes severe breathing difficulty and a drop in blood pressure (shock).

If you or someone you know is having difficulty breathing, call 911 immediately.

Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is a skin reaction that occurs when the skin comes in contact with latex. Dermatitis—which literally means inflamed skin—can cause skin symptoms, including:

• Itching
• Pain
• Rash
• Redness
• Swelling

Contact dermatitis with latex comes in two different types:

• Allergic contact dermatitis: This is can either be a reaction to latex proteins or an allergy to other chemicals used in the latex manufacturing process. This reaction appears 24 to 48 hours after exposure and can spread to other body areas. 
• Irritant contact dermatitis: This is a reaction to natural rubber latex, but it is not a true allergy. Irritant dermatitis is believed to be caused by frequent handwashing and incomplete drying, the use of hand sanitizers, or friction irritation from glove powder. 

Many people who develop classic latex allergies first experience contact dermatitis reactions. People with contact dermatitis from latex should try to avoid latex.

List of Common Products That Contain Latex

Latex is used to make many products, such as foam rubber pillows or your mattress. It can be found in some surprising places, including:

• Baby bottle nipples
• Balloons
• Bandage and adhesives
• Bath mats
• Catheters
• Computer equipment, such as mousepads
• Condoms and diaphragms
• Dental products, including wedges and orthodontic rubber bands
• Elastic in clothing
• Erasers
• Foam mattresses and pillows
• Garden hoses
• Medical gloves
• Pacifiers
• Rubber balls
• Rubber bands
• Rubber household gloves

Latex also is found in clothing, household items like garden hoses or bathmats, and computer gear like mouse pads. Pacifiers and baby bottle nipples may contain latex. All told, latex is found in more than 40,000 products.

What Is a Latex-Fruit Reaction?

Natural rubber latex contains proteins that can trigger an allergic reaction. Some food contains similar proteins and can cause what is known as latex-fruit reactions.

As the name suggests, a latex-fruit reaction can occur with certain fruits and vegetables with seeds. Animal products (meat, dairy, and eggs) will not cause this reaction and are generally safe for people with latex allergies.

Latex-fruit reactions can be as severe as a classic latex allergy and may cause anaphylaxis. It can also produce mild symptoms, similar to oral allergy syndrome, and includes:

• Itchy, irritated mouth, tongue, or throat
• Red and slightly swollen lips, tongue, or throat
• Nausea or stomachache (less common)

List of Latex Allergy Foods

Food and latex cross-reactions only occur with plant-based foods. Some foods pose a higher risk for a latex-fruit reaction. This list is not exhaustive, and more research is needed to determine what other foods may also cross-react with latex.

High-Risk Foods

A few foods are more likely to contain proteins that can cause latex-fruit syndrome. About half of all people with a life-threatening latex allergy may develop related symptoms if they eat:

• Avocado
• Banana
• Chestnut
• Kiwi
  

Moderate-Risk Foods

Other foods contain moderate levels of the protein that triggers latex allergy symptoms. These include:

• Apple
• Carrot
• Celery
• Melon
• Papaya
  
• Potato
• Tomato
  

Low-Risk Foods

Many fruits and vegetables contain low or unknown levels of latex proteins and are considered low-risk for people with latex allergies. These include:

• Apricot
• Buckwheat
• Cassava/manioc
• Castor bean
• Cherry
• Chickpea
• Citrus fruits
• Coconut
• Cucumber
• Dill
• Eggplant
• Fig
• Goji berry or wolfberry
• Grape
• Hazelnut
• Indian jujube
• Jackfruit
• Lychee
• Mango
• Nectarine
• Oregano
• Passion fruit
• Peach
• Peanut
• Pear
• Peppers (cayenne, sweet, or bell)
• Persimmon
• Pineapple
• Pumpkin
• Rye
• Sage
• Strawberry
• Shellfish
• Soybean
• Sunflower seed
• Tobacco
• Turnip
• Walnut
• Wheat
• Zucchini
  

However, it is essential to note that some foods with a low or unknown risk of latex cross-reaction can still cause severe problems for some people.

For example, jackfruit—a tropical fruit used as a meat substitute in vegetarian diets—has been linked to a few reports of anaphylaxis in people with latex allergies. Though rare, people with a known latex allergy may want to use caution with jackfruit, particularly if they have never tried it before.

How Are Food and Latex Allergies Diagnosed?

Blood tests are available for both food allergies and latex allergies. Skin tests are also available for food allergens but are not available for latex in the United States.

Blood Testing

This type of testing measures the amount of IgE antibodies in your blood that are produced to attack the allergen being tested. To measure the antibodies, a healthcare professional will need to collect a sample of blood from your vein and send it to a laboratory. A positive result is usually a sign of an allergy, but it's not uncommon to get false-positive results.

Skin Testing

The scratch test, also called a skin prick or puncture test, uses needles to introduce a small number of potential allergens just below the skin's surface. Reactions commonly appear within 15 minutes, though your healthcare provider may keep you for observation for up to an hour.

Who Is at Risk for Latex Allergies?

Anyone can develop a latex allergy, but some people are at higher risk. Latex allergies are more common in people with the following medical conditions:

• Cerebral palsy
• Other allergies
• Preterm birth
• Quadriplegia
• Spina bifida

It is also more common in people with multiple birth defects, anorectal or urogenital abnormalities, or a tracheoesophageal fistula.

The precise link between medical conditions and latex allergies is unclear. It could be due to an unidentified disease process or frequent latex exposure during multiple surgeries associated with the conditions.

How Are Food and Latex Allergies Treated?

There is no known cure for a latex allergy. Avoiding all latex is key. Due to the potential for severe food allergy symptoms as well, it's important to identify and avoid the fruits or other foods that cause your cross-reactivity.

Other recommendations for people who have or are at high risk for latex and food allergies include:

• Avoiding all latex products and cross-reactive foods
• Wearing a medical ID bracelet or app
• Keeping injectable epinephrine, such as an Epi-Pen, nearby
• Having a plan before an allergic reaction happens

Preventing Allergic Reactions

If you have a known allergy to latex or foods, the best way to prevent a reaction is to avoid the allergen. In the case of latex allergies: 

• Inform healthcare providers about latex allergies and ask them to use latex-free gloves and products. 
• Keep your workspace free of latex products and ask coworkers to use only non-latex gloves.

If your latex allergy puts you at risk for anaphylaxis, also take these steps:

• Ask your healthcare provider for a written anaphylaxis action plan with steps to take in the event of an allergic reaction. 
• Learn how to use an EpiPen, then teach others who spend time with you.
• Carry an EpiPen with you when you go out. 
• Wear a medical ID bracelet to alert first responders and healthcare workers.

Summary

People who have latex allergies often have a food allergy, typically to fruits that have proteins similar to those found in natural rubber latex. This cross-reactivity means they may have to avoid certain foods and latex products.

Avocado, banana, and kiwi are common fruits that can trigger this response. There are many other latex food allergies, so it's essential to identify what's causing the allergy. Your healthcare provider or allergy specialist can help you understand your diagnosis and its treatment.

Sometimes, a latex food allergy can cause a life-threatening anaphylactic response. Seek medical care immediately if latex or a related fruit allergy causes sudden and severe symptoms.