Tell me about latex allergies

[Kendodd]

How widely used is latex? Is it just the gloves you have to avoid? Do normal washing up gloves have latex in?

Yes, marigold type gloves, balloons, bicycle and car tyres, some underwear has it hidden (eg. 100% cotton excludes trimmings... what's in the trimmings?!) occasionally shoe soles (keep mine in a cupboard and seem to be ok), um there are cross reactions with some substances too. Can't think of anything else. It's worth having the immunological testing because if you need to avoid it can be a bit of a pain if it's not necessary.

Thanks

Do products have any sort of warning on them, the 'may contain nuts' type? Do they list it if they have latex in somewhere? Also do you know how widespread or serious latex allergy is?

Aren't condoms made of latex? Heard of a friend at school who had trouble with that one!

Yes, condoms - the latex free ones have come down in price and become much more widely available. (It's been a while is how I missed that one off!) These people helped me when I was first diagnosed - the markings are not great with clothes etc but certain manufacturers (it was only M+S when I was diagnosed but probably more now) have a little publicised commitment to produce entirely latex free underwear. They probably would tell you how widespread it is - I've had a few A+E trips and it's almost always been balloons with me. (Soft play etc - nightmare).