Natural latex is a milky sap produced by certain trees when they are cut. Pure latex by itself rarely causes allergy; but when manufactured into rubber, it can do, usually because of other chemicals used to produce the material. (Synthetic rubbers are not made of latex, but of synthetic materials and they too can cause sensitivity.)
If you are sensitive to rubber made of latex, it is most likely that you are sensitive to chemicals used in its manufacture rather than to latex itself. Known troublemakers include accelerators such as thiuram; solvents, such as benzene or toluene; and phenol-formaldehyde resins.
You may commonly come into contact with rubber in protective gloves, in contraceptive devices, in soles and elastic on shoes, and if you handle rubber tyres. Some kinds of teats for babies’ bottles and nipple shields are made of latex.
Hypoallergenic (low-allergen) latex excludes chemicals particularly known to cause reactions and it can be used for protective gloves, condoms and heavy duty respirators. For advice on gloves. If you suspect that you are sensitive to latex or rubber, the best way to test is to buy a pair of pure latex gloves (available from Boots the Chemist). Air them for a few days, then place them in a glass jar, seal it and leave for a week, then open the jar and sniff gently to see if symptoms develop. Take great care if you have a history of anaphylactic shock or life-threatening asthma attack.
An alternative but more expensive way to test latex is to buy a latex and sleep on it.
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