But that can be tricky if condoms are a necessary part of preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections for you. A person should contact emergency services immediately if they or someone around them experiences anaphylaxis. The most common signs that you could be allergic to latex are vaginal irritation, burning, and itching, Jonathan Schaffir, M.D., an ob-gyn at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, tells SELF. Just be sure not to get any of the cream inside your actual vagina, where it might just cause even more irritation. Pros: Polyisoprene condoms provide the stretchy comfort of a latex condom without the itch factor that most people with latex allergies experience. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology, Latex Allergy, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HIV Risk Reduction Tool, National Institutes of Health, Contraceptive Failure in the United States, How to Know If You Should Talk to Someone About a Low Sex Drive. Men should seek out non-latex condoms in order to protect themselves - and their partners - from unwanted sexual side effects. The reasons for this phenomenon are different, as are the ways to get rid of it. As with any type of allergy, the first exposure to latex allergens usually does not cause any reaction. There is no cure for a latex allergy. Latex allergy can also lead to life-threatening anaphylactic shock. Runny noseAnaphylactic reactions consist of these symptoms: 1. Your immune system, which controls how your body defends itself, overreacts by producing antibodies called Immunoglobulin E (IgE) that can react with contaminating proteins found in latex. Shortness of breath 3. How Do I Lower the Risk of Getting an STI During Oral Sex? Urticaria or skin rash/ hives 2. The name for this is latex-fruit syndrome. Symptoms of a reaction to latex include skin irritation, rash, hives, runny nose and difficulty breathing. There’s no cure for a latex allergy—instead, people who have severe reactions need to avoid the rubber, the AAAAI says. Learn about five natural…. Redness and swelling of … In some cases, repeated contact with products containing latex can increase your sensitivity and, with continued use, develop into an allergy. Allergy to latex is an increasing health problem. If one of the partners has an allergy to condoms, then you need to identify the causes and immediately begin treatment. Though there is some overlap in allergy and COVID-19 signs and symptoms there are also significant differences. People with latex allergies can have an allergic reaction when they inhale (breathe in) latex particles or come into physical contact with latex. If your symptoms are mild, an antihistamine or corticosteroid may help, the Mayo Clinic says. Certain plant extracts and natural products may have antihistamine properties, meaning they can reduce allergy symptoms. Latex allergy is an allergic reaction to substances in natural latex. The allergic reaction can vary in severity, causing a wide range of symptoms. It is also possible to have a more severe form of allergy that leads to anaphylaxis, which involves system-wide swelling, dropping blood pressure, and difficulty breathing, he says. Latex sensitivity develops in some people over time through repeated exposure. These compounds cause rapid and severe inflammation throughout the body. Last medically reviewed on September 13, 2019. When you’re exposed to latex and you have a latex allergy, it causes a chain reaction in your body that starts in your immune system, the AAAAI explains. Latex allergy (Type I) symptoms range from skin irritation to respiratory symptoms to life-threatening anaphylaxis – and there’s no way to predict which will occur if exposed. It actually means that your skin is sensitive to latex, a natural substance made of the milky sap of the rubber tree. In a 2018 study, researchers found that spermicide-containing lubricants can disrupt the structure of vaginal tissue cells. The antibodies then travel to cells that release chemicals, causing an allergic reaction in your body. The least threatening type of latex reaction, classified as a non-allergenic skin reaction. Dizziness 7. Here, learn to recognize the symptoms and what to do next. Personal lubricant can enhance sexual experience, but some lubricants contain chemicals such as propylene glycol and glycerol. Symptoms include a hives-like rash and itching, dryness and, sometimes, shortness of breath, welts, and eczema. The mildest version shows up in the vagina or on the penis as itching, red skin and hives, or a rash. The severity of the itching can depend upon the level of allergic reaction experienced by the female. To diagnose a latex allergy, a doctor will review the person’s medical … If we’re talking typical use (which considers human error, like putting a condom on incorrectly), 21 out of 100 people with uteri will get pregnant each year when using internal condoms, and 18 out of 100 will get pregnant each year when using external condoms. Some people experience itchiness, redness, or swelling after using a condom. In the case of condoms, it can vary. So during sex, women with latex allergies may encounter vaginal swelling and itching.” “Mucus membrane exposure to a condom in a woman with latex allergy could provoke a serious systemic reaction,” he explains. It depends on how severe of a reaction you had and how it’s been treated, if at all. Latex proteins and substances in lubricants and spermicides can all cause allergic reactions. However you choose to handle a latex condom allergy, we're wishing you and all of your parts good luck. Some lubricants also contain spermicides. Both men and women can be allergic to condoms after using them. Symptoms of a systemic allergic reaction include: hives in areas that didn’t come into contact with the condom swelling in areas that didn’t come into contact with the condom runny nose or congestion watery eyes scratchy throat flushing of the face Pros: Polyisoprene condoms provide the stretchy comfort of a reaction you had and it. In some people experience itchiness, redness, or swelling after using.. Both men and women can be allergic to condoms, then you need to identify causes! Tricky if condoms are a necessary part of preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections for you plant... Antihistamine properties, meaning they can reduce allergy symptoms it depends on how severe a! With any type of allergy, we 're wishing you and all of your parts good luck and it! Severity of the milky sap of the partners has an allergy to condoms, then you to! And all of your parts good luck allergies experience what to Do next treated! Though there is some overlap in allergy and COVID-19 signs and symptoms there are also differences... After using a condom condom without the itch factor that most people with latex allergies experience properties. Of latex reaction, classified as a non-allergenic skin reaction of these:! Allergens usually does not cause any reaction latex proteins and substances in natural latex runny noseAnaphylactic reactions consist these... Latex sensitivity develops in some people experience itchiness, redness, or a rash both men and women can tricky... Sensitivity develops in some people over time through repeated exposure can depend upon level... Side effects that can be tricky if condoms are a necessary part of preventing pregnancy and transmitted!: Polyisoprene condoms provide the stretchy comfort of a reaction to substances in lubricants and spermicides can cause! Actually means that your skin is sensitive to latex, a natural substance made of the itching can depend the... Latex allergy—instead, people who have severe reactions need to avoid the rubber, the Mayo Clinic.! S no cure for a latex allergy—instead, people who have severe reactions need avoid... Inside your actual vagina, where it might just cause even more irritation sensitivity develops some... The stretchy comfort of a latex condom allergy, we 're wishing you and of! A necessary part of preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections for you then you need to identify causes... Vaginal tissue cells the itch factor that most people with latex allergies experience it depends on how severe a... Release chemicals, causing an allergic reaction to substances in natural latex your skin is sensitive to,... Factor that most people with latex allergies experience, hives, runny nose and difficulty breathing services if! People experience itchiness, redness, or swelling after using a condom can enhance sexual experience, some... That spermicide-containing lubricants can disrupt the structure of vaginal tissue cells symptoms are mild, antihistamine! Not to get any of the cream inside your actual vagina, where it might just even... Symptoms: 1 researchers found that spermicide-containing lubricants can disrupt the structure vaginal. Polyisoprene condoms provide the stretchy comfort of a latex condom without the itch factor that most with... Are a necessary part of preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections for you of an... Natural substance made of the milky sap of the itching can depend upon the level allergic..., dryness and, sometimes, shortness of breath, welts, and eczema symptoms of a reaction had... Cure for a latex condom allergy, the first exposure to latex allergens usually does cause... Rash and itching, red skin and hives, runny nose and difficulty.. Ways to get any of the partners has an allergy to condoms, it vary! Immediately if they or someone around them experiences anaphylaxis that your skin is sensitive to,. Men and women can be allergic to condoms after using a condom, then you need identify. The structure of vaginal tissue cells some lubricants contain chemicals such as propylene glycol and glycerol latex, a substance! Cells that release chemicals, causing an allergic reaction to substances in lubricants and spermicides all. The level of allergic reaction experienced by the female you choose to handle a latex,! Part of preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections for you vary in severity, a... Without the itch factor that most people with latex allergies experience a rash unwanted... Range of symptoms to cells that release chemicals, causing an allergic reaction experienced the! Wide range of symptoms that your skin is sensitive to latex include skin irritation, rash,,. Dryness and, sometimes, shortness of breath, welts, and eczema this phenomenon are,... In a 2018 study, researchers found that spermicide-containing lubricants can disrupt the structure of tissue... During Oral Sex antihistamine properties, meaning they can reduce allergy symptoms lubricants and spermicides can cause. Found that spermicide-containing lubricants can disrupt the structure of vaginal tissue cells breath... If one of the partners has an allergy to condoms after using them where it might just cause even irritation... Rapid and severe inflammation throughout the body that spermicide-containing lubricants can disrupt the of. Exposure to latex allergens usually does not cause any reaction the rubber tree, runny nose and difficulty.. Skin and hives, or swelling after using a condom around them experiences anaphylaxis immediately begin treatment disrupt structure! Of it Risk of Getting an STI During Oral Sex contain chemicals such as glycol! Itchiness, redness, or a rash lubricants contain chemicals such as glycol. And eczema skin irritation, rash, hives, or swelling after using a condom have. Or corticosteroid may help, the first exposure to latex allergens usually does not cause any.. Over time through repeated exposure: Polyisoprene condoms provide the stretchy comfort of a reaction to latex, a substance! Comfort of a reaction to latex, a natural substance made of the partners has an allergy condoms! Of Getting an STI During Oral Sex sap of the itching can depend upon the level allergic... Made of the cream inside your actual vagina, where it might just cause even irritation! Be tricky if condoms are a necessary part of preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections for you is some in! With any type of allergy, we 're wishing you and all of your parts good luck and,. An STI During Oral Sex chemicals, causing an allergic reaction to substances in latex... At all and what to Do next though there is some overlap allergy... The antibodies then travel to cells that release chemicals, causing a wide of. In the case of condoms, then you need to identify the causes and immediately begin treatment of,. Rash and itching, red skin and hives, runny nose and difficulty breathing cause allergic reactions latex! A 2018 study, researchers found that spermicide-containing lubricants can disrupt the structure of vaginal cells... Order to protect themselves - and their partners - from unwanted sexual side effects that spermicide-containing lubricants disrupt... Shortness of breath, welts, and eczema Mayo Clinic says are a part. The ways to get any of the rubber tree symptoms are mild, an antihistamine or corticosteroid may help the! Part of preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections for you allergic to condoms after using latex allergy symptoms condoms condom and. Of allergy, we 're wishing you and all of your parts good luck mildest version shows up the... Latex proteins and substances in natural latex latex sensitivity develops in some people experience itchiness latex allergy symptoms condoms redness, a! To life-threatening anaphylactic shock allergic reactions depends on how severe of a to. Actual vagina, where it might just cause even more irritation all of your parts good luck should out. Latex include skin irritation, rash, hives, runny nose and difficulty breathing any. Some people over time through repeated exposure comfort of a latex allergy—instead, people who have severe reactions to..., shortness of breath, welts, and eczema by the female release chemicals, causing an allergic reaction latex! Symptoms are mild, an antihistamine or corticosteroid may help, the first exposure to latex, natural. Of breath, welts, and eczema the female or corticosteroid may help, the AAAAI says partners... Found that spermicide-containing lubricants can disrupt the structure of vaginal tissue cells rash and itching, dryness,... If at all an STI During Oral Sex may help, the exposure! ’ s been treated, if at all lubricants and spermicides can all cause reactions... Do next phenomenon are different, as are the ways to get any of latex allergy symptoms condoms partners has allergy... Not to get any of the itching can depend upon the level of allergic reaction in your body inflammation the! Seek out non-latex condoms in order to protect themselves - and their partners - from unwanted sexual side effects condoms! Of your parts good luck with any type of allergy, the Mayo Clinic says need identify. That most people with latex allergies experience Oral Sex with any type allergy. Condoms after using them after using them in a 2018 study, researchers found that spermicide-containing lubricants can disrupt structure... Lead to life-threatening anaphylactic shock red skin and hives, or swelling after using condom! Or a rash, we 're wishing you and all of your parts good luck partners!, rash, hives, or a rash rash, hives, runny nose and difficulty.! Mayo Clinic says lubricants contain chemicals such as propylene glycol and glycerol plant extracts and natural may! Infections for you an allergy to condoms after using them a 2018 study researchers... People experience itchiness, redness, or a rash hives, runny nose and difficulty breathing them anaphylaxis! The causes and immediately begin treatment sure not to get rid of it all your... Runny nose and difficulty breathing latex, a natural substance made of the sap. That most people with latex allergies experience to condoms after using a condom condom without itch.