Reply #52: Latex is an acquired allergy -- most people aren't born with it

[eyesroll]

They develop the allergy as they become more and more exposed to it. Medical, janitorial and food-service workers are disproportionately allergic to latex, because they deal more with it -- especially the powdery gloves.

Vinyl gloves are better in most cases, anyway -- even if the wearer personally isn't allergic to latex, many people are. A very small number of people are allergic to the mere presence of latex -- and if you used your latex gloves to prepare their sandwich or clean their telephone, they could end up with a severe reaction.

Well -- at least you didn't discover your allergy via condoms. That would have been a whole lot worse.

BTW: The female condom is made from polyurethane, but they're expensive, uncomfortable and squeaky. There may be some polyurethane male condoms available; perhaps Planned Parenthood would be a good resource?