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Patients & Consumers Online Tools Find an Allergist / Immunologist Pollen Counts Diseases 101 Drug Guide Featured Resources » AAAAI Tips Brochures Topic of the Month Information Request Form Donate Now Constituencies » Patients & Consumers Contact Search by Condition (A-Z) Request a Speaker Smoke Free Homes Referral Guidelines Breakthroughs in Bioscience Other Resources En Español Just for Kids Seniors		Allergic Conditions: Latex Allergy Latex allergy occurs when the body’s immune system reacts to proteins found in natural rubber latex. Natural rubber latex is a processed plant product derived almost exclusively from the sap of the tree hevea braziliensis found in Africa and Southeast Asia. Natural rubber latex should not be confused with butyl- or petroleum-based synthetic rubbers. Synthetic products, including latex house paints, have not been shown to pose any hazard to latex-sensitive individuals. It is estimated that 1% to 6% of the general population has been sensitized to latex compared to 5% to 10% of healthcare workers. Resources about latex allergy: Latex Allergy Tip Brochure  American Latex Allergy Association (A.L.E.R.T.)  Please visit an allergist for more information on allergic disease and your individual medical condition. If you need to locate an allergist in your area, visit the Academy’s online Physician Referral Directory. <back>
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