Latex Allergies

It has been a well recognized fact for years that many patients with a sensitivity to latex will experience allergic symptoms (hives, itching of the mouth & throat, swelling of the lips) following the ingestion of foods that share allergenic properties with latex. The most common foods on the list include: banana, chestnut, avocado, and mango. Passion fruit has now been added to the foods to be avoided list. A recent article in the allergy literature reported on a latex allergic woman who developed oral allergy symptoms after ingesting a soft drink containing passion fruit extract.

Take home message: Patients with latex allergy should avoid ingestion of passion fruit until testing is done.