People can use condoms to protect against sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy. To use a male condom, the man puts the condom on his erect penis, with the tip of the condom collecting the semen. The Center for Young Women's Health explains that latex condoms, the most effective type of condom, prevent pregnancy in 97 percent of cases and effectively protect against HIV, gonorrhea, hepatitis and chlamydia. Some people, however, have allergies to latex condoms.
Production
Natural rubber latex, which companies use to make condoms, comes from rubber trees called Hevea brasiliensis. The liquid latex is found in the bark of the Hevae brasiliensis. Caroline E. Gilmore, author of "How a Latex Condom Is Made," points out that manufacturers add other chemicals to the natural latex to form the condom. After extraction, manufacturers adds a small amount of ammonia, which acts against waste products from bacteria. Other chemicals added to the latex to make the condom include an antioxidant, vulcanizing accelerator and a sulfur-based vulcanizing agent. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology notes that an allergy to latex condoms does not result from the natural rubber latex, but from additives to the latex.
Risk Factors
Certain people have a higher risk of developing an allergy to latex condoms. Sumana Reddy, MD, author of the article “Latex Allergy,” points out that people with food allergies, such as those to avocado, tomato, banana, celery, melon, chestnut, kiwi or passion fruit, can have an allergy to latex condoms. People with spina bifida or urogenital abnormalities can have a latex allergy. Other people who have a higher risk of a latex condom allergy include health care workers, rubber industry workers and people who have had surgeries with prolonged latex exposure.
Allergic Reactions
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology explains that if a person with a latex allergy uses a latex condom, the reactions can be severe. For example, people can develop hives and a runny nose. People can become dizzy or lightheaded. Shortness of breath, chest tightness and wheezing can occur. Other signs of an allergic reaction to a latex condom include nausea, coughing and swelling.
Treatment
If a person has an allergy to latex condoms, he should avoid using them during intercourse. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology points out that a doctor may give a patient an antihistamine for a mild latex allergy. If the allergic reaction is severe, patients may need to take epinephrine. To prevent a future allergic reaction, patients should avoid other latex products.
Alternatives
People with latex allergies have alternative condom choices. For example, people can use synthetic condoms made of polyurethane. Polyurethane condoms are available as male condoms and female condoms, which women insert into their vaginas before intercourse. Natural condoms such as lambskin condoms exist as well. The Center for Young Women's Health warns that lambskin condoms do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases, however.
