Does all latex protein cook out?

[Wimple]

I’m currently travelling in the USA and have a severe latex allergy. After noticing kitchen staff in a restaurant wearing latex gloves I have become hyper vigilant and now call ahead. I know that the protein that causes latex fruit allergy can be destroyed by cooking but I don’t know whether food prepared using latex gloves is safe to eat once cooked- as long as it’s not served using latex gloves. Unfortunately many kitchen staff don’t seem to know the difference between latex, vinyl and nitrile, so it’s making it hard to find anywhere to eat out!

[utkmybrthawy]

Very fortuituous! This morning I got an asthma attack after eating an avocado. Seems like it happened Sunday, too..... I looked up "avocado allergy" on Google. It said that avocados are full of histamines, which cause allergic reactions, and contain a protein very similar to latex. It was the first I knew of FOODS containing histamines! I thought it was something uniquely produced in our bodies to fight pathogens. More research revealed a whole list of foods that are high in HISTAMINES, foods to avoid. THEN I looked up what enzymes are needed to break down histamines, and came up with DIAMINE OXIDASE. I think that's how it's spelled. The research goes on for miles, and I encourage you to dive down that rabbit hole. (I ordered a supplement of DOA, as it's called). I'll try it! One of the factoids I came across is that VITAMIN C is a super histamine-buster. THAT I had on hand, so I took massive amounts. I'm breathing just fine now... coincidence? All of it is interesting. I figure we have to do our own research and experiment with our own bodies, because apparently we can put a man on the moon but can't figure out asthma and allergies. OX, D. (Palm Springs, CA. )

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to utkmybrthawy]

I would suggest that doing much research and experimentation on your own body with untested substances is likely to be dangerous. Understanding what triggers you, what triggers might be linked (eg other foods high in histamine if you think that's a trigger for you) and learning to avoid it makes sense. But not taking things you find online to counteract it just in case they help. And yes, it may well be coincidence that your breathing is better now - I've not seen any good evidence that vitamin C helps asthma and allergies, though I'm happy to be corrected if anyone can find me some *good quality* research on that. I hope you've treated the asthma in the standard way with approved treatments which are shown to work.

Our bodies are complex, and don't always work how you'd expect - plus something that acts on one target can also block or throw another essential function off balance, or interact with medication you already take. Trying random stuff on yourself is not at all how scientific research is done, for many reasons.

I get the frustration as research often seems to move slowly - I have a severe and atypical type of asthma, it's not well understood. But I stand by the above - it won't help me to just randomly take stuff, and it could be harmful.

As an FYI to you and anyone else reading, large doses of Vitamin C will probably just go straight out of you, as your body can only absorb so much. More than 2000mg at once isn't recommended, and most people need way less, about 90mg a day, and generally it's enough from food. Very large amounts can give you a stomach upset and possibly kidney stones, and it might interfere with any medication you take for high cholesterol.

PS Sorry Wimple, I realise that doesn't answer your question! I don't really have any helpful suggestions, sorry - I wonder if the Allergy UK website might do? I would say to call them but may be hard when you're travelling.

[BlueSkies11]

Hi Wimple,Suggest looking at the anaphylaxis uk site that inc latex info. Have fun in the usa

[peege]

Are you sure the gloves worn are latex? Lots of organisations (ie care) don't use them due to to many workers & patients being allergic to latex. During pandemic I use non latex gloves only, they're easily available for everyone

[Wimple in reply to peege]

Yes absolutely positive and tbh I was shocked because latex gloves are now very rare in the UK and I never have to check, However fewer than 10 states in the USA have banned their use for food prep.

[peege in reply to Wimple]

What an utter pain!

[runcyclexcski]

I am allergic to a particular berry, and I do not eat at restaurants at all for that reason, especially when traveling. Can't control what people do or do not do (e.g. if they know the difference between nitrile and latex, or black currants and blueberries). Supermarket food is not exciting, but at least it's safe and reproducible.