Items That Frequently Contain Latex

Source:  Diane Hartman

Adhesives- including some medical adhesive tapes

Art and school supplies- glue, paint, erasers, modeling clays, silly putty type compounds, rubber stamps, art sponges, etc

Automobile tires

Bottle feeding nipples

Bandages

Balls- including play balls, tennis balls, koosh balls, etc….

Balloons- Mylar type do not contain latex products

Bath toys

Bath tub mats

Bicycle tires

Bicycle handle grips

Bike helmets

Carpet

Chewing gum, or other foods containing unidentified gum base

Clothing – elastic banding on undergarments, socks, bathing suits, exercise garments containing elastic-like fabrics(i.e. spandex), elastic straps on hats, etc…

Computer mouse pad, and wrist rests

Dental equipment- including rubber bands intended for use with braces(or other orthodontic devices)

Diapers- especially those with elastic type pull up sides

Dog(and cat) chewy and squeaky toys

Elastic

Elastic bandages, and support wraps

Foam – including foam puzzles, foam cups and plates, foam padding, foam sealant, foam pillows, etc…

Food service gloves

Food packaging- foam used to package meats and vegetables, etc…

Gaskets – including those in blenders, canning jars, appliances, etc…

Garden hoses

Gloves- rubber kitchen gloves and medical exam gloves

Gym floors- rubber type

Handles-rubberized type, including tennis racket and golf club handles, kitchen utensil handles, hammers, and other tools, etc….

Hair bands and bendable hair styling devices

Handle bars on bicycles may be coated in a rubberized material

Hoses and other rubberized tubing

Infant toothbrush and gum massagers

Jar openers- rubber grips used to remove lids from jars

Mattress pads- foam type

Medical Equipment- including, but not limited to, exam gloves, stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, iv equipment, face masks, splint materials, crutch tips, wheelchair tires, etc….

Milking equipment

Pacifiers

Plastic storage bags- with rubberized zippered seal

Rubber bands

Rugs- rubber backed type, or padding on standard wall to wall carpeting are both frequently latex derived

Shoe soles-rubberized types(i.e. athletic shoes)

Spatulas used for food preparation

Sponges

Steering wheel wraps(bicycle or automotive), may be rubber derived

Stuffed animal stuffing- may indicate foam stuffing

Swimming Suits, swim goggles, swim shoes(thongs), bathing caps, scuba equipment, etc….

Teething devices

Toys- Stretch Armstrong, and older Barbie dolls, foam puzzles bath toys, etc….

Tubing- including that used for fountain drink machines, soap dispensers, etc… and aquarium pumps

View finders on camera’s, telescopes, microscopes, etc….

Cross Reactivity With Latex

It is important to note that items to which one cross reacts will depend on which type of latex the individual is allergic.  In the production of latex products the manufacturer usually implements multiple types of latex.  Each latex product has good and bad properties- so a variety of types is desired.   Therefore, if only one type of latex shows up as allergenic, total avoidance is still recommended.  And, there is no legislation that requires companies to disclose the type of latex they use or to label products as such.

High Incidence of Cross Reactivity     

Avocado

Banana

Arrowroot

Plantain

Kiwi

Bay Leaf

Cinnamon

Birch (If allergic to Kiwi, I was told there is a 100% incidence of cross

reactivity to Birch)

Chesnut

Tomato

Pepper

Eggplant

Pimento

Celery

Carrot

Parsley

Melon Family(Canteloupe, Watermelon, Squash, Pumpkin, Honeydew, etc...)

Moderate Incidence of Cross Reactivity

Mango

Cucumber

Peach

Almond

Plum

Nectarine

Plum

Spinach

Beet

Chard

Pistachio

Moderate to Low Incidence of Cross Reactivity

Peanut

Corn

Pecan

Buckwheat

Grape

Apple

Milk