Allergy Information
Important information about latex allergies
All of our garments are made from natural rubber latex (NRL). Natural rubber latex is a flexible material obtained from the rubber tree and is widely used in products such as gloves, balloons, elastic, condoms and many other everyday items.
Although natural latex is suitable for most people, some people are allergic or sensitive to natural rubber latex. For this reason, it is important that you read the information below before purchasing or wearing any of our latex garments.
If you already know that you have a latex allergy, or you have previously experienced a reaction to latex or rubber products, you should not purchase or wear our latex garments without first discussing this with your doctor or an appropriate allergy specialist.
What causes a latex allergy?
A true latex allergy is generally caused by proteins that naturally occur in natural rubber latex. The immune system of someone who is allergic to latex recognises these proteins as a threat and can produce an allergic reaction.
Latex also contains various substances used during the manufacturing and curing process. These can occasionally cause skin irritation or a form of contact dermatitis. This is different from a true latex allergy, although the symptoms can sometimes appear similar.
It is therefore possible for someone to experience irritation when wearing a latex garment without necessarily having a true allergy to latex itself.
What symptoms can occur?
Reactions to latex can vary considerably from person to person.
A mild reaction may include:
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Itching or tingling
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Redness of the skin
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A rash
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Localised irritation
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Hives or raised areas of skin
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Dryness or inflammation
Some allergic reactions can also cause:
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Sneezing
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A runny or blocked nose
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Itchy, watery or irritated eyes
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Swelling, particularly around the area that has been in contact with latex
More serious allergic reactions can cause:
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Swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue or throat
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Wheezing or coughing
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Difficulty breathing
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Tightness in the chest or throat
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Dizziness or feeling faint
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A rapid drop in blood pressure
In rare cases, a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis can occur. Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency and can develop very quickly.
A reaction is not always an allergy
Not every skin reaction caused by a latex garment means that you have a latex allergy.
Some people can develop irritation from prolonged contact with rubber, from chemicals used during rubber manufacture, from perspiration and heat, or from products used with the garment.
For example, dressing aids, lubricants, polishes, detergents, fragrances or other products used on the skin or latex may cause irritation in some individuals.
A delayed skin reaction can sometimes appear several hours after contact and may become more noticeable over the following day or two. This type of reaction can be associated with contact dermatitis rather than an immediate latex allergy.
If you experience repeated irritation or are unsure what has caused a reaction, stop wearing the garment and seek medical advice.
Can latex garments cause an allergic reaction?
Yes. Because our garments are made from natural rubber latex, an allergic reaction is possible in a person who is sensitive to natural latex.
The latex used to manufacture garments undergoes processing designed to reduce unwanted residual substances, including latex proteins. However, processing does not mean that all allergenic proteins are completely removed.
For this reason, we cannot guarantee that our garments are suitable for someone with a known latex allergy.
If you have a diagnosed latex allergy, we strongly recommend that you avoid wearing natural latex clothing and speak to your doctor or allergy specialist about suitable alternatives.
Who may be more at risk?
Anyone can potentially develop a latex allergy, but latex sensitivity is more commonly associated with people who have had repeated or significant exposure to natural rubber latex.
This can include people who have regularly worked with latex products, particularly in healthcare or rubber-related occupations, as well as some people who have undergone repeated medical procedures involving latex products.
If you fall into a higher-risk group, or have previously reacted to latex, we recommend obtaining medical advice before purchasing or wearing latex clothing.
Latex and other allergies
Some people with a latex allergy can also experience reactions to certain foods because some of the proteins found in these foods are similar to proteins found in natural rubber latex.
This is sometimes referred to as latex-fruit syndrome.
Foods that have been associated with latex cross-reactivity include:
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Banana
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Avocado
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Kiwi fruit
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Chestnut
There are other foods that may also be involved.
Having an allergy to one of these foods does not automatically mean that you are allergic to latex, and you should not avoid foods simply because you have heard they may be associated with latex allergy. If you have concerns about possible cross-reactions, speak to your doctor or allergy specialist.
Before wearing your new latex garment
If you have no known latex allergy but have never worn latex clothing before, it is sensible to be aware of how your skin reacts.
When first wearing a new garment:
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Make sure the garment has been properly cleaned according to our latex care instructions.
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Avoid using unfamiliar creams, lubricants, polishes or other products on the garment or your skin at the same time.
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Wear the garment for a limited period initially rather than for many hours.
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Pay attention to any unusual itching, redness, swelling or other symptoms.
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If you experience a reaction, remove the garment and wash the affected area with clean water.
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Do not continue wearing the garment if you experience a reaction until you have established what caused it.
Do not deliberately expose yourself to latex if you already know that you are allergic to it.
If symptoms persist or you are concerned about a reaction, seek medical advice.
What should I do if I think I am having an allergic reaction?
If you develop itching, redness or a mild localised reaction, remove the garment and avoid further exposure until you have established the cause.
If you develop more serious symptoms such as difficulty breathing, swelling of the mouth or throat, wheezing, severe dizziness or collapse, this may indicate a serious allergic reaction.
Call 999 immediately if you believe you are experiencing anaphylaxis.
If you have previously been prescribed an adrenaline auto-injector for an allergy, use it according to your prescribed emergency plan and seek emergency medical assistance.
Latex clothing and skin contact
Latex garments are designed to be worn directly against the skin, which means that there can be prolonged contact between the material and your body.
Heat, perspiration and friction can sometimes increase skin irritation, particularly during extended wear. This does not necessarily mean that you have a latex allergy.
Keeping your garment clean and using only suitable latex-care products can help reduce unnecessary irritation.
We recommend following our How to Take Care of Your Latex Garments guide for information about cleaning, dressing, polishing and storing your latex clothing.
Important information about latex care products
Please remember that a reaction may not always be caused by the latex itself.
Products used with latex clothing can contain ingredients that may irritate sensitive skin. These can include certain lubricants, dressing aids, polishes, cleaners, fragrances and other chemicals.
If you have sensitive skin, introduce new products carefully and discontinue their use if irritation occurs.
Never use household cleaning products, oils, solvents or other unsuitable substances on your latex garments unless they are specifically recommended for use with latex.
Our responsibility to you
At Affordable Latex, we take the safety and quality of our garments seriously.
Our garments are handmade from natural rubber latex sheeting intended for latex clothing. The material is processed during manufacture to reduce residual substances, but natural rubber latex remains a latex product and cannot be considered completely free from allergens.
Because individual sensitivities vary, we cannot guarantee that a person will not experience an allergic or skin reaction when wearing a latex garment.
For this reason, it is the customer's responsibility to make us aware of any known allergy or relevant sensitivity before purchasing, and to seek appropriate medical advice where necessary.
If you are unsure whether natural latex is suitable for you, please consult your doctor or an allergy specialist before purchasing or wearing a latex garment.
Please remember
Natural latex is not suitable for everyone.
If you have a known latex allergy, previous unexplained reactions to rubber products, or concerns about latex sensitivity, please seek professional medical advice before purchasing or wearing our products.
The information on this page is provided for general information only and is not medical advice, a diagnosis or a substitute for advice from a qualified healthcare professional.