Allergies and Latex
By CatsandDogs
@CatsandDogs (13963)
United States
July 18, 2010 12:17am CST
What is it that makes some of us allergic to latex? What's the ingredient? What does it do to the person? I've always wondered about this because there's so many doctors offices, dentists and hospitals that have latex gloves and non latex gloves as well for those who are allergic to latex. To me, it's just another form of plastic and I get to thinking, how can one be allergic to plastic? Plastic is all around us and are they allergic to that too? No pun intended but I am very curious as to why or how that happens.
Another thing, to those who know about my situation, I've decided not to post anymore about it because I'm getting this feeling that a few, a lot - what ever the number, is getting tired of hearing about it so I think it's best to just keep it to myself from now on. However, if you want to know, then give me your email address and I'll keep you updated. Till then, I think I'll lie low for a while and just 'deal with it' myself. Again, no pun intended. I will however, continue to start discussions on other issues and/or respond to some of yours.
So tell me, what is it that makes some of us allergic to latex?
4 people like this
9 responses
@Hatley (163772)
• Garden Grove, California
18 Jul 10
hi catsanddogs I am not sure what it is in latex that some are allergic
to but know that I am really allergic to the sticky tape that most bandaids use and some tape that doctors use too. I break out and the
break out is worse than the cut I was covering. I think the sticky
substance in it is what I am allergic to. I enjoy your discussions
and just wish at times I could be of some help. hugs from hatley.
2 people like this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
18 Jul 10
They say it's the rubber tree that they're allergic to. Funny that that is because I've never heard of the rubber tree! I just found out about the chocolate tree and now a rubber tree? Gee, where have I been hiding?
You are one of the few who wants to know what's going on in my life. I used to have a handful of you but I've gotten too boring. I guess I'm suppose to tell some funny jokes and lies to make everybody think my life is so fun and easy. Well, to me, that's being a fake and I'm not a fake. I am what or who I am and what I tell is the truth. Not the pretty truth but the hard and mean truth. BELIEVE ME, if I could change it, I would in a HEARTBEAT! But I can't so I just deal with it and sometimes I don't and instead I go off by screaming and yelling and then I cry. It's not a great life but it's MY life. To hell with it all. I'm close to payout so I'm thinking of leaving here once I make it. I don't need this added crap.
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163772)
• Garden Grove, California
19 Jul 10
hi cats thats so sad because when one is in pain physic that is you need people and mylotters used to be so good at this. I am sorry some have turned their backs on you, thats just unkind to me, and smacks of a dog eat dog world and I did not thing us mylotters were like that. I always
loved your discussions because you were honest and unpretentious. thats a quality thats hard to find at times.It is your life and its not all that bad you are just a sensitive person and we often take everything a bit harder but on the other hand we are the ones who take care of others when they ask for help. Please do not leave because of a few false friends as there are good mylotters here who love to help.
1 person likes this
@quita88 (3715)
• United States
18 Jul 10
Latex is a form of plastic. Simple. No other explanation needed.
I myself am a nurse and it's not the latex that I'm bothered with. It's the powder in the rubber gloves.
I've seen some bad reactions to latex in my years and believe me it's not funny.
As to your ails, well, not many of us want to hear it on an ongoing discussion.
Just how much can we say to help you each day? We are all sorry for you and wish you the best.
We all have ails, sickness,etc. but to harp on it gets old.
That does not mean we don't care....it just means there is just so much we can say to comfort you.
I too have my physical troubles and have learned to keep my mouth and typing the words to myself.
I have learned to try and come up with discussions about my dogs, cats, relationships, and the weather,etc.
Do not think you are being shut out or shut down. Just consider we love you and want to know good things too.
God bless,
quita
2 people like this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
18 Jul 10
quita, I've been asked and asked time and time again for an update so that is why I post it on here.... for THOSE who ARE interested and WANT to know. Not to be bashed or knocked down. Besides, it's a way to release some of my frustration AND it's a way to make something in the way of money, not much of course but something. Another discussion to answer, if one wishes and if not then they can go on to the next. I'm sorry if I pissed on someone's parade. My life has NEVER been easy however, I had a few years of happy times but those are rare and few in between. Again, sorry. It is what it is. I'm not a fake and don't intend to be one for anyone. Another thing, I wasn't on here much for about two months and then I come on here and this is what I get? To hell with it! Once I make payout, which is soon, I just might call it quits. Why should I stay on here if I've become so damned boring?
@quita88 (3715)
• United States
19 Jul 10
No one said you were boring. All I said was how do we comfort you on an ongoing basis when it's the same ails?
Girl, I do care about you and want to know what is going on medically and otherwise.
You yourself said there hasn't been much come back to your discussions.
We know you are not fake and we all hope you don't quit mylot.
You are a valued member and we all love you.
Why not take some time and think about something to talk about other than illness. Dogs, cats, food, love and just anything..........
We do love you here.
God bless,
quita
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
18 Jul 10
To be honest, 
I didn't know there was such a thing! A rubber tree? Gee, I must've had MY head in the sand for a LONG time! lol Just a few months ago I found out that chocolate comes from trees as well.
I really have led a sheltered life, haven't I?
I didn't know there was such a thing! A rubber tree? Gee, I must've had MY head in the sand for a LONG time! lol Just a few months ago I found out that chocolate comes from trees as well. I really have led a sheltered life, haven't I? 
@ElicBxn (64169)
• United States
18 Jul 10
I'm not allergic to latex - yet. But I'm allergic to a lot of common things, including glues like in bandages and tapes used by doctors. And foods, lets not start on the foods!
in fact, things people are allergic to are often stuff they run into a lot
but most latex has actually some plant products in them and can cause allergic reactions to that
http://www.answers.com/topic/latex
1 person likes this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
19 Jul 10
I wish I was joking Elic. I did not know about chocolate coming from a deg gone tree and now I'm finding out that rubber does too? Yeah, I'm embarrassed but I'm not joking at all. I didn't know these things. I only saw one road runner in my entire life and wouldn't believe that they were real until I saw one. How I knew what it was is beyond me but I knew and hubby stopped the car to watch it run. Now here's the kicker, it came out of some brush and crossed in front of us (I swear I'm NOT lying!) onto Roadrunner Rd (look it up, Killeen, Texas!) It was so unreal and surreal. Hubby and I lived on Hollow Rd in Killen and is how we came upon it.
Now I know there isn't a unicorn or mermaids.... at least nobody has told me any different! lol
2 people like this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
18 Jul 10
I find that really sad to be allergic to different foods especially ones that one may like such as peanuts. I've heard of that a lot and do wonder why or what the particular ingredient is that causes the reaction.
About the latex gloves, I didn't know about there being a rubber tree! I just found out about the chocolate tree being in existence and now a rubber tree? I have led a sheltered life! A few years ago I thought the road runner was a cartoon and now I know it's real and actually saw one in Texas and liked to have jumped out of my seat screaming "that's a road runner! that's a road runner!" Now I'm starting to wonder, are there unicorns and mermaids too? lol
1 person likes this
@jillhill (37353)
• United States
19 Jul 10
I am thinking it's a reaction to to their chemistry...like gloves...they make the hands sweat and that mixes with the latex or the ingredience and it causes a reaction....funny though with allergies...my son is allergic to fresh tomatoes....however he can eat cooked ones like in ketchup etc.
1 person likes this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
31 Jul 10
Hi jillhill, come to find out latex is made from the rubber tree milk and is the allergy causing ingredient. Funny though because I didn't know this just as I didn't know that chocolate comes from the chocolate tree. I get to wondering now, where have I been hiding?! lol
@cursoralbert99 (412)
• Malaysia
19 Jul 10
Latex actually a natural product from rubber tree milk.
There are also latex in fruits (latex-fruit). Eg: bananas, pineapples, avocados, chestnuts, kiwi fruits, mango fruits, passionfruit, strawberries and soy (and some seeds too).
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
31 Jul 10
I'm just learning about the rubber tree milk. I had no idea! The funny things we learn while everybody else already knows! YIKES! LOL
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
22 Jul 10
Hi Cats...not sure where you got the idea that latex was plastic. It's actually a white liquid from certain trees and it is used to make rubber. I'm obviously having a bad day today as I couldn't figure out where your puns were. How sad I am.
Never mind, I have a few worries hanging over my head and I'm waiting on an important phone call so I'm a bit anxious and not focusing well.
Never mind, I have a few worries hanging over my head and I'm waiting on an important phone call so I'm a bit anxious and not focusing well.@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
23 Jul 10
I guess I missed the class given on the makings of gloves. I had no idea about the Rubber tree milk produces them and in learning that (at all), I found it interesting. I've lived a very sheltered life Ms Tickle. I've had less than half the normal hearing and it has progressed as I grew up. I'm to be deaf one day. So I guess I missed that class somewhere along the way.
Hope your worries have faded into thin air!
1 person likes this
@leenie50 (3992)
• United States
18 Jul 10
Hey MB,
An allergy of latex is a reaction to a protein in the rubber tree which is where latex comes from. That was a good question. I've never really thoght about it. I had no idea that latex was made from a rubber tree. Are you allergic to Latex?
Leenie xoxoxo
1 person likes this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
18 Jul 10
Hey Leenie, I didn't know about there being a rubber tree! I just found out about the chocolate tree being in existence and now a rubber tree? I have led a sheltered life! A few years ago I thought the road runner was a cartoon and now I know it's real and actually saw one in Texas and liked to have jumped out of my seat screaming "that's a road runner! that's a road runner!" Now I'm starting to wonder, are there unicorns and mermaids? lol
No I'm not allergic to latex but was curious about why one would be.
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
19 Jul 10
I don’t have an answer in regards to latex allergy and what ingredient actually causes it. My mother is allergic to latex and she has very bad reactions on her skin when exposed to it. My mother was told it is made from sap from the rubber tree but I don’t know if that is in fact correct or why she is allergic to it.
I have enjoyed your discussions Cats and I wish I could be of more help to you. I don’t have a problem with hearing your concerns, after all that’s what friends are for. If you ever need to chat, rave or rant feel free to PM me and we’ll swap email addresses.
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
31 Jul 10
((((((((((HUGS PAULA!!)))))))) You are so kind!! Thank you SO much!! I really do appreciate that!!
You are right, it is from the milk of the rubber tree.... something that I had no idea existed.
