(Continued from Part 1)

What’s the alternative?
Many products have been manufactured to avoid the use of latex. Lists are useful (see ‘latex list’ at The Latex Allergy Support Group) but may quickly become outdated as manufacturing processes change all the time. The best way to ascertain whether or not any item (medical or consumer) contains latex is to contact the manufacturer directly. It’s important to ask whether the item contains natural rubber latex, as synthetic rubbers (nitrile and neoprene - with physical properties closely resembling those of natural rubber) don’t contain the proteins that cause latex allergy and so are safe for those people who have latex allergy.

Contraceptives
When it comes to contraceptives, latex allergy can be just another obstacle to safe sex. Latex-free condoms are available from Durex.

There are also female condoms, such as these by Pasante.

(Also see our article, Safe Sex for Allergic People - Ed.)

Feminine sanitary pads and tampons
Some may contain up to 15% latex. Latex-free alternatives include Always products, many Boots feminine hygiene products and all Kotex feminine care products.

Footwear
Shoe soles, rubber trims and adhesives often contain latex. Alternatives include artificial soles such as polyvinylchloride soles (PVC), polyurethane (PU), thermoplastic rubber (TR), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) soles. Clarks now produce an allergy list detailing safe styles.

Note that even footwear with synthetic soles (Clarks Walking Sandals, some Clarks children's shoes & Clarks Springer sandals) may use latex adhesive to glue in the sock or insole.

Scholl ‘Adele’ and ‘Rhodes’ designs are entirely latex-free. Most Nike trainers, but not walking shoes, are latex-free – but check before you buy. Nike Total 90 III football boots for Astroturf are latex-free.

Underwear
Elastic in underwear may contain latex and can cause problems. Lycra®, Spandex and Elastane are synthetic polymers and do not themselves contain latex. However, beware that latex is sometimes added to the finished product and composition labels in garments may exclude elastics and trimmings. ‘Stitch and Sew’ NRL-free polyester elastic (with a yellow lycra label: code 0122101) is made by Thomas Cork Ltd (0115 948 4271) and is stocked by Tesco, Sainsbury, Saver Centre and Somerfield. It’s recommended to cover all other ordinary latex elastic with cotton cloth or tape.

Sports equipment
Any amount of sports equipment contains latex. PVC, butyl rubber, EVA foam, polyethylene, silicone, vinyl, neoprene or plastic are popular alternatives to polyurethane grips. Very lightweight foam/ sponge products such as swim buoyancy aids are synthetic (usually polyethylene).
Gymnastic matting usually has a synthetic PU or polyethylene based chip foam interior, with PVC or vinyl covers, but beware of a latex base (try Continental Sports). Speedo makes a silicone swim cap and some of their goggles are latex free. Football goalie gloves often contain latex, but Sondico’s International style (boys and youth sizes only) could be latex free.

Everyday items that may contain rubber latex

Many everyday items contain rubber latex. Likely categories include household goods, personal items, sports equipment, clothing, and medical or dental devices. The severity of symptoms will differ widely from person to person according to the degree of sensitivity and the responsible allergen. Patients need to be aware of the wide range of potential culprits, although the vast majority of sufferers, will not need (neither will most be able) to avoid all of them.

Adhesive
Airbeds
Appliqué work
Art supplies
Asphalt
Audio equipment

Bach remedies
Balloons
Ballpoint pens
Balls
Bath mats
Bath plugs
Bicycle handles
Binoculars
Books
Boots
Bungee cord
Bungs

Cameras
Car components
Car mats
Carpet underlay
Catheters
Champagne corks
Chewing gum
Clothing
Condoms
Contraceptives
Conveyor belts
Cosmetics

Decorating items
Diaphragms
Disposable nappies
DIY products
Doorstops
Dummies

Elastics
Elastic band
Electrical flex
Envelopes
Erasers
Escalator handrail

Floor coverings
Foam rubber
Food storage bags
Footwear

Garden hoses
Gaskets
Gloves
Golf clubs

Handles
Hot water bottles

Insulation materials

Kitchen appliances

Lacquers
Latex gloves

Make-up
Milking machines
Modelling materials
Mouse-pads
Mud-flaps

Packaging
Plaster moulds
Plasters
Postage stamps

Raincoats
Racquet handles

Rubber bands
Rubber gloves
Rubber moulds
Rubber plants

Sanitary towels
School equipment
Scratch-cards
Self-adhesives
Shoes
Silk flowers
Socks
Spatulas
Sponges
Sports
equipment
Sticking plasters
Stretch fabrics
Sweet wrappers
Swimsuits

Tampons
Teats
Tools
Toothbrushes
Toys
TV equipment
Tyres

Underwear
Upholstery

Video equipment
Washers
Wedges
Wellington boots
Wheels

Further information
UK Latex Allergy Support Group A voluntary charity which works with different organisations to promote safe use of latex, and assist individuals who have become latex allergic. Tel: 07734 176426

British Association of Dermatologists

Action Against Allergy

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