Latex-Fruit Syndrome: Why Your Rubber Glove Allergy Affects Your Diet

Published: 28 February 2026 · Medically reviewed content · Written for UK patients

If you have ever experienced itching, redness, or hives after wearing rubber gloves — or noticed that your lips tingle after eating a banana or avocado — there may be a connection you have not considered. Latex allergy symptoms do not always stop at the skin. For a significant number of people with natural rubber latex sensitisation, the immune system also reacts to certain fruits, vegetables, and nuts — a pattern known as latex-fruit syndrome.

This cross-reactivity occurs because the proteins in natural rubber latex (from the Hevea brasiliensis tree) share structural similarities with proteins found in foods such as banana, avocado, kiwi, and chestnut. Your immune system, primed to recognise latex as a threat, may also mount an IgE-mediated response when it encounters these structurally similar food proteins (Allergy UK, 2025).

This article explains how latex allergy and food cross-reactivity are connected, which foods are most commonly involved, how IgE blood testing can help clarify the picture, and what practical steps you can take to stay safe — whether in the kitchen, the workplace, or the hospital.

Seek urgent medical help if you experience:

Difficulty breathing, wheezing, or a feeling of throat tightness — especially after contact with latex or after eating a suspected cross-reactive food
Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
Feeling faint, dizzy, or losing consciousness
A rapid, widespread rash (hives) appearing across the body, particularly alongside any of the above symptoms

If you suspect anaphylaxis (breathing difficulty + swelling + feeling faint), call 999. If an adrenaline auto-injector has been prescribed, use it immediately and still call 999 (Anaphylaxis UK, 2025).

Latex Allergy Basics: Why Some Foods Cross-React

What Is Natural Rubber Latex?

Natural rubber latex is a milky fluid harvested from the rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis. It is used to manufacture a wide range of everyday products including medical and household gloves, balloons, rubber bands, some clothing elastics, baby bottle teats, and condoms. It is distinct from synthetic latex (found in latex paint, for example), which does not contain the same allergenic proteins and is not associated with latex allergy (NHS, 2025).

How the Immune System Becomes Sensitised

In people who develop a type I (IgE-mediated) latex allergy, the immune system produces IgE antibodies against specific proteins in natural rubber latex — most notably a group of proteins known as hevein and hevein-like domains (Hev b proteins). On subsequent exposure, these IgE antibodies trigger mast cell activation and histamine release, producing symptoms that can range from localised itching and hives to, in severe cases, anaphylaxis (BSACI, 2024).

The Cross-Reactivity Mechanism

The link between latex and certain foods lies in shared protein structures. Several plant foods contain class I chitinases — enzymes involved in plant defence — that include a hevein-like domain structurally similar to Hev b 6.02 (the major latex allergen). When a latex-sensitised person eats a food containing these cross-reactive proteins, their existing latex-specific IgE antibodies can recognise and bind to the food proteins, triggering an allergic response. This is the basis of latex-fruit syndrome (Allergy UK, 2025).

Not everyone with latex allergy develops food cross-reactivity. Estimates vary, but published literature suggests that roughly 30–50% of people with IgE-mediated latex allergy may react to one or more associated foods (BSACI, 2024). Conversely, some people discover their food allergy first and are only later found to have latex sensitisation.

Common Linked Foods: The Latex-Fruit List

The foods most commonly associated with latex cross-reactivity are grouped below by the strength of the reported association in published literature. Individual variation is significant — having a latex allergy does not mean you will react to all, or even any, of these foods.

Association Strength	Foods	Notes
High	Banana, avocado, kiwi, chestnut	Most frequently reported cross-reactive foods. Strongest evidence for shared hevein-like proteins.
Moderate	Papaya, fig, mango, passion fruit, pineapple	Reported in clinical case series. Variable rates of clinical reactivity.
Lower / variable	Potato, tomato, celery, bell pepper, turnip	Isolated reports. Cross-reactivity may occur but clinical reactions are less consistently documented.

Banana Allergy and Latex

Banana allergy is the single most commonly reported food cross-reactivity in latex-sensitised individuals. Banana contains a class I chitinase with a hevein-like domain that is highly homologous to Hev b 6.02. Reactions can range from mild oral symptoms (itching or tingling of the lips and mouth) to more significant responses including abdominal pain, vomiting, or generalised hives. In rare cases, anaphylaxis has been reported (NHS, 2025).

Avocado Allergy and Latex

Avocado allergy is another strongly associated cross-reactivity. Like banana, avocado contains chitinases with hevein-like domains. Avocado allergy can occur independently of latex, but when the two co-exist, latex-fruit syndrome is a likely explanation. Symptoms may include oral itching, nausea, abdominal discomfort, or urticaria (Allergy UK, 2025).

Kiwi Allergy and Latex

Kiwi allergy in the context of latex-fruit syndrome is driven by actinidin (Act d 1) and hevein-like proteins in kiwifruit that cross-react with latex IgE. Kiwi is also associated with pollen food syndrome (via a different pathway involving PR-10 proteins). If you react to both kiwi and latex products, the latex-fruit connection is worth investigating. For a more detailed discussion of kiwi-specific reactions and component testing, see our guide on kiwi allergy and the latex-fruit connection.

Chestnut Allergy and Latex

Chestnut (specifically sweet chestnut, Castanea sativa) is the fourth member of the "big four" latex-associated foods. Chestnut also contains class I chitinases, and cross-reactivity with latex is well documented. In the UK, sweet chestnuts are most commonly encountered during autumn and winter (roasted chestnuts, chestnut stuffing, marrons glacés) and in continental pastry and confectionery.

It is important to note that not everyone with a latex allergy will react to these foods, and not everyone with a banana or avocado allergy has a latex problem. The relationship is bidirectional but not automatic — clinical history and, where appropriate, targeted testing are essential for accurate assessment.

Latex Allergy Symptoms: Contact Reactions vs Systemic Responses

Latex allergy symptoms can present in several ways, depending on the type of immune response involved and the route of exposure. Understanding these distinctions is important, because not every reaction to a latex product is an IgE-mediated allergy.

Type I (IgE-Mediated) Latex Allergy — Immediate Reactions

This is the clinically significant form of latex allergy associated with latex-fruit syndrome. Symptoms typically appear within minutes of contact with latex-containing products and may include:

Contact urticaria — itching, redness, and hives at the site of skin contact (e.g., hands after wearing latex gloves)
Facial or lip swelling — particularly after dental procedures involving latex gloves, or after blowing up latex balloons
Rhinitis and conjunctivitis — runny nose, sneezing, and itchy/watery eyes, especially in environments with airborne latex particles (e.g., healthcare settings where powdered latex gloves were historically used)
Wheeze or chest tightness — asthma-like symptoms triggered by inhalation of latex proteins
Anaphylaxis — a severe, potentially life-threatening systemic reaction involving multiple organ systems. This is uncommon but documented, particularly during surgical procedures involving mucosal contact with latex (NICE, 2024)

Type IV (Delayed) Contact Dermatitis

This is a separate condition driven by a T-cell-mediated (type IV) immune response to chemical additives used in the manufacturing of latex products — such as thiurams, carbamates, and mercaptobenzothiazole — rather than to the latex protein itself. Symptoms appear 24–72 hours after exposure and include a dry, itchy, cracked rash resembling eczema, typically on the hands and wrists.

Type IV reactions are not associated with latex-fruit syndrome and are not detected by IgE blood testing. Patch testing (performed by a dermatologist) is the investigation of choice for suspected allergic contact dermatitis.

Irritant Contact Dermatitis (Not Allergic)

The most common skin reaction to rubber gloves is irritant contact dermatitis — caused by friction, sweating, or exposure to powder and chemicals in the glove material. This is not an allergic response and does not involve the immune system. However, the damaged skin barrier from irritant dermatitis can increase the risk of developing true latex sensitisation over time, which is one reason why occupational skin care and glove selection matter (BSACI, 2024).

Occupational Context

Latex allergy has historically been most common among healthcare workers, dental professionals, laboratory staff, and others with frequent occupational exposure to latex gloves. The widespread adoption of non-latex (nitrile) gloves across UK hospitals and dental surgeries has significantly reduced new cases, but latex allergy remains a relevant consideration for those still exposed — and for people who developed sensitisation before the transition (NHS, 2025).

Testing Options: What an IgE Blood Test Can (and Cannot) Show

If your clinical history suggests latex allergy — with or without food cross-reactivity — specific IgE blood testing can provide useful diagnostic information. Here is what the testing options look like and what the results actually mean.

Latex Specific IgE

A specific IgE blood test for natural rubber latex (Hev b) measures the level of IgE antibodies in your blood directed against latex proteins. A positive result indicates sensitisation — your immune system has produced IgE antibodies against latex. This does not automatically confirm a clinical allergy. Some people have detectable IgE to latex but have never experienced symptoms on exposure.

Cross-Reactive Food IgE Testing

Where latex-fruit syndrome is suspected, your clinician may also consider testing specific IgE for the most commonly cross-reactive foods — banana, avocado, kiwi, and chestnut — to build a clearer picture of your sensitisation profile. Component-resolved diagnostics (CRD) can add further detail: for example, testing for Hev b 6.02 (the major latex allergen most closely linked to food cross-reactivity) versus Hev b 5 or Hev b 1 (proteins more associated with occupational sensitisation) can help refine the clinical assessment.

Understanding Your Results

Results from IgE blood tests are typically reported in kU/L (kilo units per litre). For a plain-language guide to what these numbers mean, including IgE class bands and interpretation principles, see our article on how to read your allergy lab report.

What Testing Can and Cannot Tell You

A positive IgE result = sensitisation. It confirms that your immune system has produced IgE antibodies against the tested allergen. It does not automatically confirm that the allergen causes clinical symptoms.
IgE levels do not predict severity. A higher kU/L value does not necessarily mean a more severe reaction will occur. Reaction severity depends on many factors including dose, co-factors, and individual variation.
Negative results are informative. A negative specific IgE for latex makes IgE-mediated latex allergy much less likely, which can provide reassurance — particularly before medical or dental procedures.
Results require clinical interpretation. Your IgE results should always be reviewed alongside your symptom history and exposure patterns by a qualified clinician — such as a GP, dermatologist, or allergy specialist.

What Testing Is Available at the Clinic

Allergy Clinic offers nurse-led venepuncture (blood draw) and sends your sample to an accredited laboratory for specific IgE analysis. This is a diagnostic blood sampling service — it does not include a doctor consultation, medical diagnosis, or treatment planning. Once you receive your laboratory report, you can take it to your GP or specialist for interpretation and clinical guidance. Browse our private allergy testing options to see what panels are available.

Safety in Healthcare, Dentistry, and Daily Life

If you have confirmed or suspected latex allergy, taking practical precautions can significantly reduce the risk of accidental exposure. Here is a checklist for the most common scenarios.

Before Medical or Dental Procedures (Surgery Prep)

Inform your provider in advance. Tell your GP, dentist, surgeon, anaesthetist, and any other healthcare professional about your latex allergy before any procedure — ideally when booking the appointment.
Request a latex-free environment. UK hospitals and dental surgeries can provide non-latex gloves (nitrile or vinyl) and ensure latex-free equipment is used. NHS guidance recommends scheduling latex-allergic patients first on the operating list where possible, to minimise airborne latex residue (NHS, 2025).
Carry identification. Consider wearing a medical alert bracelet or carrying an allergy card that clearly states your latex allergy. Anaphylaxis UK provides printable alert cards specifically for this purpose.
Review your adrenaline auto-injector. If you have been prescribed an adrenaline auto-injector for severe allergy, ensure it is in date and that you — and any accompanying person — know how to use it. Take it with you to all medical appointments.

In the Workplace

Speak to your employer or occupational health team about latex-free alternatives for gloves and other equipment
If you work in healthcare, catering, cleaning, or laboratory settings, you may be entitled to a workplace risk assessment under UK health and safety regulations
Nitrile gloves are now the standard in many NHS trusts and are widely available as a latex-free alternative

At Home and While Travelling

Gloves: Use nitrile or vinyl gloves for household cleaning and food preparation
Condoms and contraceptives: Non-latex condoms (polyisoprene or polyurethane) are widely available in the UK from pharmacies and supermarkets
Balloons: Latex balloons can trigger symptoms in sensitised individuals, particularly when inflated by mouth. Foil (Mylar) balloons are a latex-free alternative
Travelling abroad: Carry a translated allergy card in the relevant language(s). Be aware that latex-free options may be less readily available in some countries — packing your own non-latex gloves and condoms can be practical
First-aid kits: Some adhesive plasters and elastic bandages contain latex. Check labels or carry latex-free alternatives

Food and Dining

If you have confirmed food cross-reactivities (e.g., banana, avocado, kiwi), be aware that UK food allergen labelling regulations (overseen by the Food Standards Agency) require pre-packed foods to list the 14 major allergens — but latex-linked fruits are not among the "Big 14". This means you cannot rely on standard allergen labelling alone. When eating out, inform staff about your specific food triggers and ask about ingredients directly (Food Standards Agency, 2025).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is latex-fruit syndrome?

Latex-fruit syndrome is a pattern of cross-reactivity in which people sensitised to natural rubber latex (from the Hevea brasiliensis tree) also develop IgE-mediated reactions to certain fruits, vegetables, and nuts. The most commonly associated foods are banana, avocado, kiwi, and chestnut, though other foods — including papaya, mango, potato, and tomato — have also been reported. The cross-reactivity occurs because some plant food proteins share structural similarities with latex proteins, particularly a group of enzymes called class I chitinases containing hevein-like domains (BSACI, 2024).

Can you be allergic to latex gloves but not to all cross-reactive foods?

Yes. Having a latex allergy does not automatically mean you will react to every food on the latex-fruit list. Cross-reactivity is variable and depends on the specific proteins involved and your individual immune response. Many people with latex allergy tolerate some or even most of the associated foods without difficulty. This is why clinical assessment and, where appropriate, targeted IgE testing are valuable — they can help identify which specific foods, if any, are relevant to you.

What are the most common latex allergy symptoms?

Latex allergy symptoms vary depending on the type of reaction. Contact urticaria (type I, IgE-mediated) typically causes itching, redness, and hives at the site of latex contact — most commonly the hands after wearing rubber gloves. In more significant reactions, symptoms may spread beyond the contact area and can include facial or lip swelling, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, wheeze or chest tightness, and — in rare cases — anaphylaxis. A separate condition, allergic contact dermatitis (type IV), causes a delayed eczema-like rash driven by chemical additives rather than the latex protein itself (NHS, 2025).

Should I tell my dentist or surgeon about my latex allergy?

Yes, always. Inform any healthcare provider before any procedure — including dental appointments, surgery, and investigations such as endoscopy. UK hospitals and dental surgeries can arrange for latex-free gloves and equipment, but they need advance notice. NHS guidance recommends that patients with latex allergy are identified before any clinical contact so that appropriate precautions can be taken (NHS, 2025).

Is banana allergy the same as latex allergy?

Not exactly, but the two can be connected. Banana allergy can occur independently, but in people who are latex-sensitised, banana proteins (particularly chitinases with hevein-like domains) can trigger cross-reactive IgE responses. If you react to banana and also have a history of reactions to rubber gloves or latex products, latex-fruit syndrome may be the underlying mechanism. Targeted IgE testing for both latex and banana can help clarify this.

Can you develop a latex allergy later in life?

Yes. Latex allergy can develop at any age, though it is more commonly seen in people with repeated or prolonged exposure — such as healthcare workers, dental professionals, and people who have undergone multiple surgical procedures. Atopic individuals (those with eczema, asthma, or hay fever) may also be at higher risk (BSACI, 2024).

What does a latex IgE blood test show?

A specific IgE blood test for latex measures the level of IgE antibodies directed against natural rubber latex proteins in your blood. A positive result indicates sensitisation — meaning your immune system has produced IgE antibodies against latex. However, sensitisation does not automatically confirm a clinical allergy. Results should always be interpreted alongside your symptom history by a qualified clinician.

Is avocado allergy linked to latex?

It can be. Avocado allergy is one of the foods most strongly associated with latex-fruit syndrome, alongside banana, kiwi, and chestnut. The cross-reactivity is driven by shared hevein-like proteins. However, avocado allergy can also occur independently of latex sensitisation (Allergy UK, 2025).

Can I use condoms if I have a latex allergy?

Standard condoms are typically made from natural rubber latex and may trigger symptoms in people with IgE-mediated latex allergy. Non-latex alternatives — made from polyisoprene or polyurethane — are widely available in the UK from pharmacies and supermarkets. If you have experienced genital itching, swelling, or hives after using standard condoms, a latex allergy may be worth considering as part of a clinical assessment.

Who is most at risk of developing latex allergy in the UK?

The groups most commonly at higher risk include healthcare workers (particularly those who wore latex gloves frequently), dental professionals, laboratory staff, people who have undergone multiple operations, and individuals with existing atopic conditions such as eczema, asthma, or hay fever. The move towards non-latex gloves across UK hospitals has reduced new cases, but the risk remains for those already sensitised (NHS, 2025).

Questions to Ask After You Receive Your Test Report

If your IgE blood test results show sensitisation to latex and/or any associated foods, the following questions may help guide your discussion with your GP or allergy specialist:

Does this result confirm a clinical allergy, or does it indicate sensitisation only?
Should I avoid all latex-associated foods, or only those I have reacted to?
Is component-level testing (e.g., Hev b 6.02 vs Hev b 5) appropriate in my case?
Do I need an adrenaline auto-injector prescription?
Should I inform my workplace, dentist, or GP surgery about this result?
Are any of the positive food results likely to reflect cross-reactivity rather than a standalone food allergy?
Should I be referred to an NHS allergy clinic for further assessment?

Quick Glossary

IgE (Immunoglobulin E) — a type of antibody produced by the immune system involved in allergic responses. Elevated specific IgE to a substance indicates sensitisation.
kU/L — kilo units per litre, the standard unit for reporting specific IgE levels in allergy blood test results.
Sensitisation — the presence of specific IgE antibodies, showing the immune system has encountered and responded to a substance. Not the same as confirmed clinical allergy.
Cross-reactivity — when IgE antibodies raised against one protein also recognise structurally similar proteins from a different source (e.g., latex and banana).
Component-resolved diagnostics (CRD) — a form of IgE testing that measures antibodies to individual protein fractions within an allergen source, helping to distinguish primary sensitisation from cross-reactive patterns.
Hevein — a protein found in natural rubber latex (Hevea brasiliensis) that is a major allergen in type I latex allergy.
Chitinase — a plant defence enzyme found in many fruits and vegetables. Class I chitinases contain hevein-like domains that can cross-react with latex IgE.
Anaphylaxis — a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction involving multiple organ systems. Requires immediate treatment with adrenaline (epinephrine) and emergency medical care.

Thinking About Getting Tested?

Allergy Clinic offers nurse-led blood draws for specific IgE analysis, including latex and food allergen panels. Your sample is sent to an accredited laboratory and your report is returned to you directly. You can then take your results to your GP or specialist for clinical interpretation and next steps.

View Available Allergy Tests

Sources

NHS — Latex allergy, Anaphylaxis, Food allergy (2025)
Allergy UK — Latex allergy factsheet, Food allergy resources (2025)
Anaphylaxis UK — Anaphylaxis action plans, Medical alert identification (2025)
BSACI — Guidelines on latex allergy and cross-reactive food allergies (2024)
NICE — Anaphylaxis: assessment and referral guidance (CG134, updated 2024)
Food Standards Agency — UK allergen labelling, Natasha's Law / PPDS guidance (2025)

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The content is based on publicly available UK health guidance and published literature at the time of writing. Allergy Clinic provides nurse-led venepuncture and laboratory-processed specific IgE blood testing. It does not provide doctor consultations, clinical diagnosis, or prescribing. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for interpretation of test results and personalised medical guidance.