Latex allergy--balloons?

I am getting married next summer and plan to use latex balloons as part of the reception decorations. A balloon archway to walk through, balloons in the dance floor area, pretty much all around.

I just found out my friend's boyfriend is allergic to latex. Will he be affected by the balloons? Would he only have a reaction if he touched the balloons? I didn't know if seating him in a "non-balloon" area would help.

Thanks for any help you can provide!

I am allergic to latex, but I have never had a problem with a balloon before. It is more about prolonged skin contact. Latex gloves and condoms for example are bad. Balloons? I can't blow them up, but I have never had a reaction to touching one for a second or sitting near them. I wouldn't worry about it. It is not your responsibility to worry about his allergy. There are going to be people allergic to all sorts of things at your wedding. It is their responsibility to make their own arrangements. Like people who are allergic to nuts and stuff. They know how to avoid having a problem.

Don't stress.

Frankly, most latex allergies are bogus. Latex is EVERYWHERE. I would not change my wedding decor because of him. Let your friend know there will be balloons as decorations, and let him choose. My guess is he doesn't want to wear condoms, so he told your friend he is allergic.

usually a latex allergy is if touching, like wearing latex gloves, latex condoms, or blowing up a balloon. just ask him or his mother what his reaction is to them. goodluck.

He should be fine as long as he doesn't touch the balloon. I have a latex allergy as well, but as long as I don't physically touch anything with latex I'm fine, I can be in the room with latex balloons and everything without having a reaction. Don't change your wedding decorations because of it, he should be fine.

To the first answerer:

Latex allergies are NOT bogus! I myself have one... found out in a bio lab when I had latex gloves on and had my hands swell up, turn red, and itch non-stop. They happen, and they suck! And by the way, they make NON-LATEX CONDOMS, so even if that were his reasonsing, it wouldn't work.

I think most allergic people know how to deal with their own allergies so you should not worry about that.

I think you are smart to find out about the latex allergy. It does exist and can be life threatening. Thank you for being an activist.

Individuals who have latex protein allergy can react to latex balloons without touching them. Merely seating him in a "non-balloon area" doesn't sound like a wise idea to me. I would decorate with either latex-free balloons (more expensive, but you could use less) or something entirely different, so your friend's boyfriend can safely attend your reception.

Please visit http://latexallergylinks.org/ball.html for more information about the risk latex balloons present to latex allergic individuals.

PS My son was diagnosed with latex allergy 14 years ago and I've been networking about it ever since. Sometimes people confuse other, less serious, conditions with latex allergy. Feel free to e-mail me...my address is at the bottom of the web page I mentioned above.