The mother of Gian, a preschooler with spina bifida tells the nurse that her daughter sneezes and gets a rash when playing with brightly colored balloons, and that she recently had an allergic reaction after eating kiwifruit and bananas. The nurse would suspect that the child may have an allergy to:
A. Bananas
B. Color dyes
C. Kiwifruit
D. Latex
Correct Answer: D. Latex
Although the exact cause of latex allergy in people with spina bifida is unknown, it is said that continuous exposure to products containing rubber from diagnostic exams, multiple surgeries and bladder and bowl programs may contribute to it. Until better scientific explanations are available to specifically drive prevention and intervention, people with Spina Bifida should continue to avoid skin contact with latex protein in the environment including foods with similar proteins, and avoid inhalation of powder that contains latex.
Option A: Children, Families, and adults should be aware that caution should be taken regarding what has come to be labeled “latex fruit syndrome.” The protein allergen (example, Hev b 6 hevein) in some latex products makes up a considerable amount of the total protein. This has been shown to have significant cross-reactivity to certain proteins (chitinases) in bananas, avocados, and chestnuts, for example.
Option B: Some children are allergic to dyes in foods and other products but dyes aren’t a factor in a latex allergy. Hair coloring products contain many ingredients that can irritate the skin and cause allergic reactions. Most cases of allergic contact dermatitis stemming from exposure to hair dye are caused by an ingredient called paraphenylenediamine (PPD).
Option C: If a child is sensitive to bananas, kiwifruit, and chestnuts, then she’s likely to be allergic to latex because these food items can trigger an allergic reaction. There are at least 25 other fruits that may have some level of cross-reactivity with latex. For example, potatoes, eggplant, and kiwi have been described as potential concerns.