|  | Diet Nutrition | Nutrition

Latex Allergy Diet

Latex can be found in many products, including mouse pads, bathmats, toothbrushes, baby bottles and medical gloves. Experts with the New York State Health Department and University of Mississippi say if you are allergic to the latex in those items, you may also be allergic to certain foods, which you may need to avoid as part of a latex allergy diet.

  1. What is a Latex Allergy?

    • The NYS Department of Health says latex is made from the sap of a Brazilian rubber tree, and a latex allergy is a reaction to a protein in the sap of the tree. The Mayo Clinic says symptoms can be as minor as irritated skin, sneezing, a rash, or runny eyes. However, in a severe case--the Clinic says a person's airway may become constricted and the latex allergy can be life-threatening.

      According to the Department and other medical experts, people with latex allergies may also be allergic to certain foods. There are several groups of foods people on a latex allergy diet may need to avoid.

    Foods With A High Level of Association

    • The University of Mississippi Medical Center says the top three foods that have a high level of association with an allergic reaction are avocados, bananas and chestnuts. So, people on a latex allergy diet may need to avoid these.

    Foods With A Moderate Level of Association

    • The University says several foods have a moderate risk of having an allergic reaction to people with a latex allergy. Those are apples, carrots, celery, kiwis, melons, papayas, raw potatoes, and tomatoes.

    Foods With A Low or Undetermined Association

    • The University says other foods have a "low or undetermined" association with latex allergies. Those include apricots, cherries, figs, pears, peanuts, pineapples, plums, strawberries and wheat. So you might not want to include them in a latex allergy diet.

    Other Foods

    • The medical experts also say people who suffer from latex allergies may need to avoid foods that are handled by a person wearing latex gloves. The NYS Department of Health says people with latex allergies may be allergic to different foods, and some may not be allergic to any of the foods.

      If you have a latex allergy, the best idea is to talk with your doctor about what your particular latex allergy diet should include.

Nutrition - Related Articles