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Latex Allergy: 'A Balloon Could Kill Me'
Liz Knight can no longer read a newspaper or touch the buttons on her remote controls, because they both contain latex
Balloons are a common sight at children's birthdays, weddings, restaurants and shops. But Liz Knight has spent most of her life avoiding them because coming into contact with one could kill her.
As a child, Liz was allergic to dust, animal hair and feathers. By the age of 12, doctors found she was also allergic to human hair. Her long blonde ponytail was duly cut off into a short, cropped style that wouldn't cause any irritation.
It didn't stop there - the extent of her allergies only grew and some of her earliest memories involve being isolated because of them.
"We went to visit a relative when I was four; I think it was an aunt or a great-aunt of mine. She had a budgie - everyone seemed to have them in the 60s and 70s - and I was really bad with any type of feathers.
"I can remember we parked up in the drive, my parents went in with my two sisters, and I couldn't go in. The budgie meant I had to stay in the car on my own. It made me feel very left out - I couldn't do what normal people do."
Liz had to have her long blonde hair chopped off
Liz, from Paignton in Devon, has suffered with irritated skin her whole life. In her 20s, her eczema got infected and led to septicaemia, which left her hospitalised for weeks. But it wasn't until the 1990s, when she was at a fair with her family, that she suspected a latex allergy.
"One of my daughters handed me a handful of these great, big, thick helium balloons and asked me if I could hold them while she ran off to do something. I must have touched my face after holding them because that's when this dramatic swelling started."
Liz, now 56, believes she developed the allergy by repeated exposure to latex from going to the doctors so much, which exposed her already fragile skin to the material.
Her everyday life has been impacted in a multitude of ways. She can no longer read a newspaper, because the ink contains latex. It is the same with the buttons on remote controls, the handle of her carving knife, her blender, mixer and hairdryer, all of which are covered with cling film so she can still use them.
Whenever there are road-works nearby, Liz has to keep her doors and windows closed because the road surface also contains latex. She says she often feels like a prisoner in her own home.
"I often feel trapped. Sometimes I stay at home for up to a week, just because it's safe."
She has to cover her remote controls with cling film because the buttons contain latex
Then four years ago, Liz got confirmation of what she was dreading: her latex allergy had gone airborne. She had walked into a shop with her husband during the winter and her lips instantly swelled and she broke out in hives.
"I went straight back outside and said, 'I don't know what's in there, but something's making me feel really bad'."
They looked back and saw six balloons tied around a stand at the back of the shop. In that case, the latex proteins had been circulating through the heating system. But Liz's allergy is so severe that even if a room has had a balloon in it in the past 48 hours - especially if it has popped - she might have a severe reaction because the latex proteins could still be in the air.
Most reactions cause her to start sweating, her lips swell and she has a feeling of "impending doom". She can normally handle the symptoms by leaving the area, going outside and letting herself recover - although it can take hours to get back to normal.
What is a latex allergy?
Source: NHS, British Association of Dermatologists, Globalaai
One recent reaction at her home, however, was more extreme, and left her in serious trouble.
"A few months ago I made a sweet and sour dish using a sachet that had 2% pineapple juice. Within about 15 minutes of eating it I could feel my tongue swelling, and then my throat started going a bit funny. My tongue was getting worse and worse."
Tropical fruits have proteins that are almost identical to the latex protein, and often produce a very similar reaction. She used her Epipen, a self-administered injection of adrenaline which slows the effects of allergic reactions.
Liz was monitored in hospital for several hours to make sure she didn't have a biphasic reaction - a delayed reaction comparable to the aftershocks following an earthquake - and ultimately the symptoms died down.
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Liz's allergies have had an effect on many aspects of her mental health. Her social circle has "drastically shrunk" and she had to quit an exercise group she attended for years because of the latex in mats, trainers and aerosol sprays.
She has also had to give up her work at a pharmacy due to repeated reactions which were endangering her health, and now feels guilty that she can't contribute financially at home.
Despite all of this, Liz says she's determined not to let her latex allergy completely take over her life. "I can walk, I can do and see things, and I've got to be grateful for the things I do have."
Liz regularly breaks out in hives when she has a reaction
Globalaai was formed in 2016 after its founder, Dr Pooja Newman, had an anaphylactic shock at a concert in Melbourne. A surprise balloon drop left her in intensive care for nearly a week and inspired her to raise awareness of latex allergies around the world.
While recovering, she made a Facebook page to tell her story and the non-profit organisation was founded.
"Part of the reason for this charity is to recognise the trauma people suffer as a result of an anaphylactic event and the issues around feeling discriminated or not included in everyday life," said Dr Newman.
The organisation has developed Epipen stations in public places and has supported the ban of latex gloves in food preparation in several US states, as well as a proposed restriction of balloons in public spaces in Australia.
Liz's work with the group has seen progress in Paignton, with many shops changing their practices on her advice. While recognising the many ways in which her allergies limit her life, Liz's outlook remains positive.
"When it feels really unfair I get a bit depressed about it I suppose, but there's always that feeling that it could be worse. I try to talk to as many people as possible about latex allergies. The more people that know about it, the more things can change.
"I'm determined not to let allergies take away everything in my life, and I'll work to improve things, not just for me, but for other people as well."
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Severe Allergic Reaction (anaphylaxis): Learn First Aid
Adult first aid for someone suffering a severe allergic reaction, including signs and symptoms and what to do in an emergency.
What is anaphylaxis?Anaphylaxis (also called anaphylactic shock) is a severe allergic reaction that makes it difficult for a person to breathe.
Anaphylactic shock develops within seconds or minutes of contact with a "trigger" and is an emergency. Common causes of allergic reactions are pollen, stings and bites, latex and some food items, such as nuts, shellfish, eggs or dairy products.
If a doctor identifies someone as being at risk of anaphylactic shock, they may give them an auto-injector. An auto-injector contains medication that helps to ease the symptoms in an emergency.
Signs and symptoms of anaphylactic shockMild allergies typically cause itchy skin and eyes, while severe allergies can also result in symptoms like swelling of the tongue or neck and difficulty breathing.
The person will have had contact with something they are severely allergic to, though it may not be clear what this was. They may have difficulty breathing, flushed or paler skin and a visibly swollen tongue or throat. They might be confused or feel very scared.
First aid steps for someone with a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) Step 2. If they have medication, help them to use it.
Follow the instructions on the packaging. If you are trained how to use an autoinjector you can give it to them yourself.
Step 3. If they have a known allergy, use their auto-injector.If someone has a known allergy, they may have been prescribed an auto-injector. Follow the guidance on the packaging.
Watch Amy's video to learn first aid for severe allergic reactionsMeet Amy, someone who has a severe nut allergy and has experienced anaphylactic shock. Learn how Amy applied basic first aid during an anaphylaxis emergency. Skip to 0:55 seconds for the key first aid steps.
Frequently asked questions about severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis)Should I use their auto-injector for them?If the person has an auto-injector, you can help them use it or do it yourself, following the guidance on the injector.
How do I use an auto-injector?The auto-injector will have instructions on the side of its packaging which you should follow. Give the auto-injector you used to the ambulance crew when they arrive.
Can I use an auto-injector on a child with a known allergy if they have a severe allergic reaction?
Yes. If the child has an auto-injector, you can give them an auto-injection following the guidance on the packaging.
What should I do if the person becomes unresponsive and stops breathing?Find out:
How can I get an insect sting out of someone's skin?If the sting is still in the skin, brush or scrape it off sideways with your fingernail or a credit card. After the sting has been removed, apply something cold to the area (such as an ice pack) to minimise the pain and swelling. Be aware that this may not reduce the risk of an allergic reaction for someone with a severe allergy.
Where can I find more information about allergic reaction first aid?
If you have any other questions about first aid for someone who is having a severe allergic reaction, visit the NHS website. During life-threatening emergencies, call 999, or for non-emergency medical help, call 111.
To test your knowledge about first aid for anaphylactic shock, try our First aid app quiz.
Do you have a question about this page or want to give us feedback? Visit our Contact us page.
What It's Like To Live With A Dangerous Allergy
I don't want to just be seen as the person that has food allergies. I want to be seen as me, and that I have other things to offer.I am allergic to milk, eggs, shellfish, and tree nuts. So the milk, eggs, and shellfish I found out when I was three. So I had a lot of problems when I was younger. I found out that I was allergic to tree nuts, like pecans and almonds and walnuts, when I was 18.
The most challenging part of handling my allergies is planning. You have to plan ahead of time. You can't just show up at a party or show up at a restaurant and just expect to eat. You have to plan. And you have to ask ahead of time.
One of the things I think that's gotten easier for me is the internet, because I'm able to research a lot before I go to places, especially if it's a new restaurant.
How I avoid things that I'm allergic to is reading ingredients, asking questions. I think just being aware of what you're putting in your body.
When I was 18, I had a really severe reaction that I didn't even know that I had ingested something that I had eaten. And it was at a graduation party. My eyes started really itching and swelling. And so my dad took me to the hospital immediately. They took me right back, because my oxygen level was really low. And obviously, I was in pretty bad shape. The doctors came in. They were just like, you better start praying, because we can't give-- we've done everything we can at this point.
I went through a really difficult time, especially after my anaphylaxis episode. That was just a big turning point for me in my life. And I really did some serious soul-searching to figure out who I am and what I'm about. And it really was several years later that I realized, man, this is part of my life. But I have so many other things to offer.
I would just encourage people to remember that allergies are not the end-all, be-all for everything. And yes, it's part of your life. And yes, you do have to plan. But you are bigger than them. And there's so much out there in life for you to experience. And don't let that hold you back. ","publisher":"WebMD Video"} ]]>
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AIMEE HUGHES
I don't want to just be seen as the person that has food allergies. I want to be seen as me, and that I have other things to offer.I am allergic to milk, eggs, shellfish, and tree nuts. So the milk, eggs, and shellfish I found out when I was three. So I had a lot of problems when I was younger. I found out that I was allergic to tree nuts, like pecans and almonds and walnuts, when I was 18.
The most challenging part of handling my allergies is planning. You have to plan ahead of time. You can't just show up at a party or show up at a restaurant and just expect to eat. You have to plan. And you have to ask ahead of time.
One of the things I think that's gotten easier for me is the internet, because I'm able to research a lot before I go to places, especially if it's a new restaurant.
How I avoid things that I'm allergic to is reading ingredients, asking questions. I think just being aware of what you're putting in your body.
When I was 18, I had a really severe reaction that I didn't even know that I had ingested something that I had eaten. And it was at a graduation party. My eyes started really itching and swelling. And so my dad took me to the hospital immediately. They took me right back, because my oxygen level was really low. And obviously, I was in pretty bad shape. The doctors came in. They were just like, you better start praying, because we can't give-- we've done everything we can at this point.
I went through a really difficult time, especially after my anaphylaxis episode. That was just a big turning point for me in my life. And I really did some serious soul-searching to figure out who I am and what I'm about. And it really was several years later that I realized, man, this is part of my life. But I have so many other things to offer.
I would just encourage people to remember that allergies are not the end-all, be-all for everything. And yes, it's part of your life. And yes, you do have to plan. But you are bigger than them. And there's so much out there in life for you to experience. And don't let that hold you back.
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