American Latex Allergy Association | Latex Allergy Topics
American Latex Allergy Association | Latex Allergy Topics.
Technical Bulletin # 10
ALLERGENIC CROSS-REACTIVITY OF LATEX AND FOODS
A compilation from the literature
Allergic reactions to natural rubber latex comprise both delayed and immediate (IgE-mediated) hypersensitivities, producing clinical symptoms ranging from contact urticaria and bronchial asthma to anaphylactic shock. Natural rubber prepared from the milky sap (latex) of the tree Hevea brasiliensis is a common component of numerous home products and medical supplies, including surgical gloves and catheters. While delayed hypersensitivity reactions to latex-containing products are often traced to additives and stabilizers employed for their production, immediate reactions are closely associated with endogenous protein components of the natural rubber latex materials.
Recently, coincident IgE-mediated allergies to latex and multiple fruits or vegetables have been documented. In vivo and in vitro investigations of clinical specificity have produced complex patterns of allergenic cross-reactivity (suggesting shared or common antigenic components) among botanically-unrelated allergens such as latex and foods. While the details of the clinical association of latex and food allergies await further study, documentation of food allergies known to coexist with latex sensitivities may be useful for identifying the risks of latex exposure for some patients.
Listed below are the allergens reported to be associated (clinically or immunochemically) with natural rubber latex.
Degree of Association or Prevalence:
High (4)
Banana
Avocado
Chestnut
Kiwi
Moderate (7)
Apple
Carrot
Celery
Papaya
Potato
Tomato
Melons
Low or undetermined (33)
Pear Mango Sweet Pepper
Peach Rye Cayenne Pepper
Plum Wheat Shellfish
Cherry Hazelnut Sunflower Seed
Pineapple Walnut Citrus Fruits
Strawberry Soybean Coconut
Fig Peanut Chick Pea
Grape Buckwheat Castor Bean
Apricot Dill Lychee
Passion Fruit Oregano Zucchini
Nectarine Sage Persimmon
Simultaneous occurrence of allergies to certain pollens and foods described above have also been documented in reports independent of those focusing on natural rubber latex. Significant levels of allergenic cross-reactivity have been demonstrated for the allergen groups listed below:
Mugwort with Carrot, Celery, Apple, Peanut and Kiwi
Birch with Apple, Pear, Peach, Cherry and Hazelnut
Grasses with Potato
Ragweed with Banana and Melons
*Might be calling the doctor after this one.
This might explain my wheat allergy and peanut allergy. It sure sheds light on some of my other food allergies!
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