Natural rubber latex is a milky sap from the Hevea brasiliensis rubber tree. Unlike the synthetic latex found in latex paint, this natural latex can cause a latex allergic reaction.

Many foods contain proteins similar to latex proteins. Therefore, if you have a latex allergy, you may also have a food allergy. Your body’s immune system responds to them in the same way, causing the cross-reactivity seen in what’s often referred to as the latex-fruit syndrome.

This article explains why this cross-reactivity happens and how to identify latex allergy foods. It also lists some foods and latex products you’ll need to avoid if you have a latex allergic reaction.

What Is Latex?

Keep in mind, though, that roughly 200 plants worldwide are known to produce a “latex” liquid. In fact, given the health issues associated with latex allergic reactions, scientists are working to find NRL alternatives.

Among them is Hancornia speciosa, which shows some promise in wound care. H. speciosa has notably fewer proteins linked to allergic reactions than NRL does.

List of Common Products

If you have a latex allergy or a cross-reactivity with latex allergy foods, you likely want to know where you might find it—apart from the condoms or disposable gloves long linked to latex.

Latex is used to make many products, such as foam rubber pillows or your mattress. It’s found in some surprising places, which makes it all the more important to know latex allergy risks.

Some of the latex products you may encounter include:

  • BalloonsToysRubber bandsPencil erasers

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

Latex Allergy Foods

Many foods cross-react with latex. Some foods pose a higher risk than others in terms of latex cross-reactions. This list is not exhaustive, so other foods not listed may also be cross-reactive with latex.

Definition of Cross-Sensitivity

Natural rubber latex contains proteins responsible for triggering a latex allergic reaction. Certain foods contain similar proteins. Due to cross-sensitivity, when someone with a latex allergy eats foods with these proteins, they may experience allergic symptoms.

High-Risk Foods

A few foods are more likely to contain proteins that can cause the latex-fruit syndrome. About half of all people with a 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. They are:

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

Low-Risk Foods

Many foods contain low or unknown levels of latex proteins.

Foods with low or undetermined association with latex-allergic reactions include:

  • Apricots
  • Chickpeas
  • Mango
  • Peppers (Cayenne, Sweet, or Bell)
  • Pineapple
  • Shellfish
  • Some herbs (dill, cayenne pepper, sage, oregano)
  • Strawberries
  • Sweet peppers
  • Wheat

Jackfruit, or Artocarpus heterophyllus, is a tropical fruit used as a meat substitute in vegetarian diets. There are reports of rare cases of anaphylaxis in people with latex allergies who ate jackfruit. Researchers say they hope to raise awareness about cross-reactivity.

Prevalence

Between 30% and 50% of people with latex allergies will also have a positive allergy test to one or more foods. However, many positive skin tests do not necessarily mean that the person will experience allergic symptoms if they eat the food.

Latex Allergy Reaction Signs and Symptoms

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

The latex rash or food allergy symptoms seen with latex-fruit reactions can vary. They may include symptoms ranging from oral allergy syndrome to life-threatening anaphylaxis.

Keep in mind that many of these symptoms may be similar to those seen with food allergies, especially if you are having a severe and immediate reaction. These symptoms are:

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

In some cases, a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis can happen and cause severe breathing difficulty and a drop in blood pressure (shock). If you or someone you know is having difficulty breathing call 911 immediately.

Diagnosis

If you have a known latex allergy, it is important your healthcare provider or allergist evaluates you for the possibility of a food allergy. They also may want to rule out other possible conditions responsible for your symptoms, such as asthma.

Allergists often use a skin test to diagnose a food allergy, such as the patch test. Patch testing involves putting a small amount of the suspected allergen on a patch and placing it on the skin to watch for a reaction. The patch usually remains in place for 48 hours.

Your healthcare provider or allergy specialist may also try the “prick-prick” method. This means scratching the skin and then placing a drop of the fruit that may be linked to a latex allergy.

Treatment

There is no known treatment for a latex allergic reaction, so 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 with latex and food allergies include wearing a medical ID bracelet and always carrying injectable epinephrine, such as an Epi-Pen.

Spina Bifida

Some people may be more at risk of latex allergies than others, including those diagnosed with spina bifida. That’s because they’ve been exposed to latex through the many surgeries needed to treat their underlying condition since birth.

About 85% of people living with spina bifida survive well into adulthood, so there’s a good chance they’ll have to manage a latex allergy and any related food allergies. That means:

  • Avoiding all latex products and cross-reactive foodsUsing a medical ID bracelet or appKeeping an injectable epinephrine pen nearbyHaving a plan before an allergic reaction happens

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 that 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.

In some cases, 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.

A Word From Verywell

If you think you may have latex-fruit syndrome allergies, consider seeing an allergist. Get tested, and if you’re diagnosed with these allergies, learn how to best manage your health.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Should you eat out if you have a latex food allergy?
  • Dining out with a latex food allergy is possible but requires care. Keep in mind that food workers often wear gloves, which may introduce latex. Latex also may be airborne or may be present in materials used in the environment. Try a food allergy app, or check first with the restaurant or chain; many offer latex allergy information.
  • Learn More:
  • Food Allergy Apps to Help Keep You Safe
  • Can you eat any fruit with latex-fruit syndrome?
  • It’s possible, but there is much about latex allergy that remains unknown. Keep in mind that cross-reactivity often occurs within a “family” of foods. A peach allergy, for example, may also mean you are allergic to apples, apricots, plums, or cherries. They’re all within the same Rosacaean fruit family. You may want to try lower-risk fruits, such as strawberries, and let your healthcare provider or allergist know.
  • Learn More:
  • Common Foods that Trigger Oral Allergy Syndrome
  • What can parents do to help children with cross-sensitivity to latex products?
  • About 10% of people who have a fruit allergy are also cross-reactive to latex. If that’s the case for your child, you’ll want to know more about other sources of latex they may encounter, like the glue on envelopes or the chairs they sit in. Latex-free school products and sports equipment are available. Be sure that you and your pediatrician share age-appropriate information about latex allergy and latex products with your child.
  • Learn More:
  • Allergy Testing for Kids

Dining out with a latex food allergy is possible but requires care. Keep in mind that food workers often wear gloves, which may introduce latex. Latex also may be airborne or may be present in materials used in the environment. Try a food allergy app, or check first with the restaurant or chain; many offer latex allergy information.

It’s possible, but there is much about latex allergy that remains unknown. Keep in mind that cross-reactivity often occurs within a “family” of foods. A peach allergy, for example, may also mean you are allergic to apples, apricots, plums, or cherries. They’re all within the same Rosacaean fruit family. You may want to try lower-risk fruits, such as strawberries, and let your healthcare provider or allergist know.

About 10% of people who have a fruit allergy are also cross-reactive to latex. If that’s the case for your child, you’ll want to know more about other sources of latex they may encounter, like the glue on envelopes or the chairs they sit in. Latex-free school products and sports equipment are available. Be sure that you and your pediatrician share age-appropriate information about latex allergy and latex products with your child.