Avocado mattresses use our GOLS-certified organic latex we tap from trees in our sustainably-managed forest. Although skin-to-latex contact does not occur during everyday use, if you're concerned about an allergy, you should consult your allergist before purchase.
Overview: Latex Allergies
Allergic reactions to organic latex are uncommon, affecting less than 1 percent of the general population in the U.S., according to the American Latex Allergy Association. The Mayo Clinic says, "If you're allergic to latex, you're likely to react after being in contact with the latex in rubber gloves or by inhaling airborne latex particles released when someone removes latex gloves. Latex allergy symptoms range from mild to severe, depending on your sensitivity and the degree of latex allergen exposure.
Causes
The Mayo Clinic notes: "In a latex allergy, your immune system identifies latex as a harmful substance and triggers certain antibodies to fight the allergen. The next time you're exposed to latex, the antibodies signal your immune system to release histamine and other chemicals into your bloodstream, producing a range of signs and symptoms. The more exposure you have to latex, the more powerfully your immune system will respond (sensitization).
Symptoms from a latex allergy can occur in these ways:
Direct contact. The most common cause of latex allergy symptoms involves touching latex-containing products, including latex gloves, condoms, and balloons.
Inhalation. Latex products, especially gloves, shed latex particles, which you can breathe in when they become airborne. The amount of airborne latex from gloves differs greatly depending on the brand of glove used.
It's possible to have other reactions to latex that aren't allergies to the latex itself. They include:
Allergic contact dermatitis. This reaction to the chemical additives used during manufacturing produces signs and symptoms — usually a skin rash similar to poison ivy, including blisters — 24 to 48 hours after contact.
Irritant contact dermatitis. Not an allergy, this form of dermatitis most likely is an irritation caused by wearing rubber gloves or exposure to the powder inside them. Signs and symptoms include dry, itchy, irritated areas, usually on the hands.
Not all latex products are made from natural sources. Products containing man-made (synthetic) latex, such as latex paint, are unlikely to cause a reaction."
