My parents discovered my latex allergy at a young age. I must have been about 3 years old. I was playing with a latex glove and my parents that saw I had broken out in hives and that my tongue was swelling. My airway was tight and the hives were spreading. They took me to the local hospital and the doctors confirmed my reaction as Type 1 Hypersensitivity.
I am now 17 years old and as I've gotten older, my latex allergy has gotten to a point where I cannot eat bananas, papaya, pineapple, and kiwis. I can't use anything that contains latex.
In science classes, they still use latex balloons and rubber bands. It doesn't bother me when I have to tell the teachers about my allergy, but I am bothered by the fact that other students make fun of me for something I cannot control. They often joke about how I cannot use latex condoms. I simply smile and say "well, I don't plan on getting pregnant for a long time. Also, why are you making fun of me for something I cannot control? I don't make fun of you for your weight, acne, crooked teeth, etc."
Renatta
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