Do I have a latex allergy or not?

[sunnymom2]

I recently underwent the bloodtest for latex allergy. It came back negative but doc said I was positive (level I ) for bananas and kiwi. I saw the allergist b/c for the last several years I believe I had a latex problem. It began w/ noticing problems w/ condoms. I suffered what I thought were countless urinary tract infections, but when I would get tested,bacteria would never come up in the urine, but still docs would put me on an antibiotic.Finally I thought there may be a connection to the condoms,switched to non latex and have been fine. Then when I had kids I reacted to the tape they put on me after c-section, got red and horrible itching from the tape and had marks left on me for 6 mo from where it was. I also noticed I could not wear rubber gloves, w/i 24 hrs would have red bumps up and down my arms, and recently got itching from handling latex bottle nipples and was itchy touching one of my sons toys (I later found out some toys have latex??). I also noticed for last year I was getting some shortness of breath and tingling in throat, I noticed I was worse during my period. So then I started thinking maybe I was having hormone or lung problems, had chest ct,etc all normal and then read that latex can be in tampons and pads. I switched to cotton ones and stopped getting that during periods. In any case I feel like I have so many syptoms but a negative test so doc says I must be allergic to apoxys or something in latex and not latex itself, does that sound right? I was also trying to trace whether I had eaten bananas during any times I feel short of breath, but cant recall. So dont know if it may be more food driven or from touching latex, or if I am not allergic at all. Any advice.thanks.

[safrit]

I had a neg. test to latex but a pos. contact skin test for Carba Mix which is used in rubber products

[Dr Santos]

How are you? if the allergy test for latex was negative, it might be the chemicals or proteins used in producing the latex products that is responsible for your reactions.
Certain fruits such as bananas, chestnuts, kiwi fruit, avocado and tomato show cross-reactivity, perhaps because of resemblance to a latex protein component. These foods have been responsible for anaphylactic reactions in latex-sensitive persons. Persons with a history of reactions to these foods are at increased risk of developing latex allergy, and those who are sensitive to latex should avoid foods to which they have had previous reactions. You can read more about this through this link: http://www.aafp.org/afp/980101ap/reddy.html

I hope this helps. Take care and keep us posted.