Latex Allergies

“Death by balloon” may sound ridiculous to some, but an allergic reaction to something as common as balloons is a scary possibility that individuals with latex allergies have to face every day. Less than 1% of the general population has an allergy to latex, but 8-17% of health care workers and up to 68% of children with spina bifida are living with latex allergies (American Latex Allergy Association). An allergy to latex can be acquired in many different ways, and there are different levels of severity that come with each allergy. For some, an allergy to latex just means a slight rash after wearing latex gloves. For others, a full-on anaphylactic reaction can occur by simply breathing the air surrounding a latex product. Regardless of the severity of each individual allergy, people who are diagnosed with latex allergies have to face challenges that most people would not normally consider. A leading cause for the development of latex allergies is over-exposure. Over exposure to latex leads to sensitization and eventual latex allergies, as is the case with many medical professionals who are …show more content…
One of the most limiting effects of having a latex allergy is the presence of latex gloves in food production. Most people with latex allergies are so severely allergic to latex that they cannot eat food prepared with latex gloves. For someone with an allergy to latex, this means having to ask every restaurant and food service company if they use latex gloves during food preparation or cooking. Having latex gloves involved in food service can lead to sensitization of anyone consuming the food, as well as causing an allergic reaction for someone with a preexisting latex allergy. To combat this, Rhode Island passed the Rhode Island Latex Gloves Safety Act in July 2001, banning the use of latex gloves by any food handler