Natural rubber latex allergy and poinsettia plants

Answered by: Kevin J. Kelly, MD Updated - November 2013

Updated - November 2013

Latex Allergy and Poinsettia Plants

At this time of year we receive many phone calls regarding the potential for patients who have natural rubber latex allergy to develop allergic reactions to poinsettia plants. Fortunately, I do not recall seeing or hearing of any severe allergic reactions to poinsettia contact in our patients who have latex allergy. There are a small number of individuals who experience primary allergy to poinsettia but this commentary is not for those unique individuals.

There are multiple lactifer or latex secreting plants in the world. Poinsettia is one of the most common flowering tropical plants. It comes from the family Euphorbiaceae of which Hevea brasiliensis (the rubber tree) is a member. A small table is included at the end of the text of some plants related to the Hevea brasiliensis. Little is published on this cross reactivity of latex in this family in the medical literature. However, early in the 1990’s our research group spent some time and effort on characterizing some cross reactivity between the latex derived from poinsettia and from Hevea brasiliensis. There appears to be cross reactivity in the laboratory setting of the latex proteins from these plants. Most important though, it appears that an individual would have to have significant direct contact with the poinsettia plant’s latex directly to have an allergic reaction. Otherwise, a high number of reactions would be reported in the population of patients who have latex allergy.

The latex is found in a circulation system within the plant and is not secreted until the system is accessed by breaking a leaf or injuring the plant in some manner. Even in this case, only a small drop of latex that can be immediately wiped off of the skin is unlikely to cause a systemic allergic reaction.

Despite this minimal risk, we are discouraging direct contact with poinsettia latex by latex allergic patients because of the remote possibility of an allergic reaction. It would be prudent not to overreact to the mere presence of poinsettia in the environment, as this is likely to be safe. For those who wish to avoid all forms of latex as recommended by their doctors, their personal contact with poinsettias should be limited -

Genus/Species Common Name
Hevea brasiliensis Rubber Tree
Euphorbia pulcherrima Poinsettia
Euphorbia splendens Crown of Thorns
Manikot esculenta Tapioca
Acalypha wilkesiana Jacobs Coat
Ricinus communis Castor Bean
Acalypha hispida Chenile plant

Answered by: Kevin J. Kelly, M.D.
                      Professor and Vice Chair - Clinical Operations
                      Department of Pediatrics
                      Pediatrician in Chief
                      North Carolina Children's Hospital
                      University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill

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