Are there any other VBers who have an allergy to latex? Are you also allergic to any foods?

As long as I can remember, I've occasionally had a reaction when eating bananas (especially green ones). My mouth/lips itch and get kinda dry. I think my mom thought I was crazy when I was little. Occasionally, the same thing happened with watermelon, but I'm not a melon fan, so I associated the feeling with bananas.

Fast forward 30 years, I start working in a toddler room of a childcare center and discover an allergy to latex gloves. One of the other teachers is also allergic and explains to me, the connection with bananas/melons (also common are reactions to avocados, chestnuts and kiwi).

I stop using latex products, but keep eating bananas. The reaction is not particularly common, maybe 1 in 10 consumptions. I went through a phase in the past two months where I was/am eating bananas almost daily (good potassium, low cal, yada yada). Now, I've put them on hold because the reactions are every time.

I did some Googling to see if maybe I overdid it, or if it was certain kinds of bananas, if I could reverse the symptoms, etc. I didn't find much helpful other than suggestions of avoidance (but I LIKE bananas!). Several allergy sites did mention that folks with ragweed sensitivities, which I had to a horrible degree as a child, are more likely to be allergic to melons and bananas (but not the kiwi/avocado/chestnut).

So, does anyone have banana/melon/latex trouble? I can live a life without bananas, but I'd rather not. :)

this is odd.:think: I am allergic to band-aids, or the adhesive rather. and i couldn't use those scar therapy patches either- it's the natural rubber latex in them-

and i don't eat bananas for that same reason.- I always thought is was the texture or something.I never knew. huh.

I grew allergic to milk/cheese... My mouth/throat itches like crazy when I eat/drink it.
I also have to be careful about grains. I can have a little of a few grains, but I can have too much - that leads to migranes. I can easily overdo on wheat and corn. I have to be very careful to mix my grains up. I eat oatmeal or brown rice cereals. My breads I eat Food for Life breads that is sprouted grains (Multi). I just have to be careful.
I am also allergic to evergreens. The live ones specifically. I break out in a rash that becomes hives if I ignore it.
It makes life so fun... Allergies are just one of those things.

I'm allergic to latex, but I don't have any problems with bananas.

yes to latex, and strawberries, and eggs.

I've never noticed a reaction to latex. Mangos make my lips tingle, but since I don't care for them this isn't much of a problem.

I'll contribute to your cause and swap my dislike of bananas for your enjoyment of them. Must be my taste buds that are allergic. ;)

there's a thread re: avocado allergies, which i guess people with latex allergies also have. they also may be allergic to mangos. i don't have any trouble with latex or mangos but i do have it with avocados (and it's a reeeeaaal bummer!). what does this have to do with bananas? well, in my search for info on avocado allergies i did see sites about banana allergies, so they do exist.

I can live without bananas, and they make Latex free band-aids ( though they are usually the kid's kind)

but no way can I live without avacados and mangos.:lick:

Libellula....allergic to strawberries...no no no. Seriously, I've had days where I've eaten maybe 2 or 3 quarts of strawberries.

My hope is that I can just lay of the bananas for awhile, but actual latex (it's just the protein in fruit I guess) products cause a cumulative effect..the more you're exposed, the worse the reaction gets. I think most allergies are that way.

<<grumbles under breath.

I have a mango for dessert later... i am going to see if I get a reaction or not.

It may be cheaper than buying lip plumper! :idea:

I have a mango for dessert later... i am going to see if I get a reaction or not.

It may be cheaper than buying lip plumper! :idea:

my "allergy" just causes massive nausea.

I just ate a mango. a bit of lip tingling, but thats it. I can deal.

Ah..that may be something different then...an intolerance. :)

Ah..that may be something different then...an intolerance. :)

well, If I use regular band-aids the reaction is really strong- i get a perfect band-aid shaped bright red mark.

I like my latex free power-puff girl bandages better anyway. :lol:

no, I meant Bethany's stomach upset.

whoops.

Ah..that may be something different then...an intolerance. :)

how does one actually know the difference between the two? i have no other (known) allergies......

I am allergic to latex as well. My school had to order special gloves for me to wear because the latex ones bring me out in hives. When the stock of latex ones wear out they are going to restock with safe ones for everyone.

A few years back I ate avocado for the first time (this lady at work made some 7 layer mexican thing....she was so upset that I wouldn't try some because she'd made it specially veg for me leaving out the meat layer....she'd be hurt if i didn't try some...yadda yadda yadda) and within 5 minutes I had red raised hives all over my face and neck and arms. I had to go to the ER and have a shot. She felt awful--she kept saying "I've killed Heather" but I knew it had to be to the avocado because that was the only thing in it that i had never eaten before. So I learned to avoid it.

Last year someone remarked to me about the connection between latex allergies andcertain foods and there was avocado on the list.

Kiwis also make my lips itch but no hives. And I can't wear plasters either---I get a big band-aid shaped weeping hive underneath. Or blow up balloons. They give me hives in my mouth. Blech.