Latex allergies can cause skin irritation, difficulty breathing, and even anaphylactic shock, so people with allergies need to carefully assess their options when buying products that might contain trace amounts of latex proteins.
Unfortunately, any soft material could conceivably contain latex, and this includes many common sex toys. If you have a severe allergy, any product made in a large factory could be contaminated with latex, even if made from a completely different substance. This can make for a very complicated purchasing process.
The good news is that sex toy manufacturers are well aware of the severity of latex allergies, and many take precautions to give you a full set of options. By researching your purchase, you can stay safe while finding a pleasurable toy that meets your needs.
Here's a look at the most common sex toy materials and the relative likelihood that they contain latex:
TPE / TPR and Jelly
You should generally avoid softer plastic, rubber, and jelly toys unless they're specifically advertised as latex-free. Latex is often used to soften these materials. There are exceptions. Natural rubbers always contain latex, but synthetic rubbers (elastomers) may not; check with the manufacturer when buying products made with thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) or thermoplastic rubbers (TPR) or look for a latex-free label. While there's no FDA guideline guaranteeing that "latex-free" products are actually hypoallergenic, manufacturers that use these terms often utilize stricter standards to protect their customers.
Silicone
Silicone is a hypoallergenic material, and products made from 100 percent silicone are completely safe for people with latex allergies. However, silicone is sometimes combined with other substances, so check to ensure that your toy is made entirely from silicone. Silicone products advertised as "medical-grade" or "food-grade" are carefully controlled throughout production, and they're a perfect option for people with severe allergies.
ABS Plastic
Hard plastic toys rarely contain latex, but as mentioned above, they're occasionally manufactured in facilities that use latex, which can lead to cross-contamination. Look for ABS plastic toys that are specifically advertised as latex-free.
Glass and Metal
The chances of cross-contamination are meager for these materials, so they're an excellent option if you don't mind a harder toy. Glass and stainless steel toys are easy to clean, as they're boilable and bleachable. They're compatible with every type of lubricant.
Ultra-Realistic Materials
Official UR3 and CyberSkin toys do not contain latex. Both of these materials use proprietary plastic blends for a lifelike feel - they're virtually indistinguishable from real skin. They're compatible with water-based lubricants.
The major downside is that they're relatively fragile and much more expensive than some other options on this list. It's important to note that there are currently no tests that can accurately determine whether products contain the latex proteins that cause reactions.
Unfortunately, this means that it's impossible to get complete assurance from sex toy manufacturers that their products are safe for allergy sufferers. Our website lists latex information, where available, under "Safety Features." If you have a serious allergy, be sure to choose toys that are listed as latex-free. There are hundreds of excellent options available, and we try to provide the most accurate information possible to help you make an educated decision.