What condoms can I use with a latex allergy?
Choose a latex-free condom: polyisoprene, polyurethane or nitrile. They help protect against pregnancy and STIs; CDC rates polyurethane as comparable to latex and the other synthetics are less studied. Lambskin does not reliably protect against STIs. If you notice itching, hives or swelling after latex contact, see a doctor or allergist, and get urgent help for any trouble breathing.
Latex allergy is a reaction to proteins in natural rubber latex. It can show up as itching, redness, hives or swelling where latex touched the skin, and sometimes as sneezing, a runny nose, wheezing or chest tightness. A combination of symptoms, or any trouble breathing, needs immediate medical attention (American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology). Cleveland Clinic's allergist notes that the lining of the vagina lets latex proteins in more easily, so a reaction during sex can include vaginal itching and swelling, and that latex sensitivity has become less common, with true allergy rarer still (Cleveland Clinic, 2020). It can affect either partner.
The alternatives are easy to find. Polyisoprene is a synthetic rubber without the natural latex proteins behind the allergy, and it is stretchy. Polyurethane is a thin plastic, and nitrile is another synthetic. All three help protect against both pregnancy and STIs (Planned Parenthood; Cleveland Clinic, 2020), and the allergy academy calls synthetic rubber condoms the best choice when either partner is allergic. CDC rates polyurethane as comparable to latex and says the other synthetics have not been extensively studied for STI prevention, so fit and correct use matter as much as ever (CDC, reviewed 2024). Polyurethane does not fit as tightly as latex and can slip more easily (Cleveland Clinic, 2020).
Lambskin condoms are latex-free too, but they are made from animal membrane with pores that can let viruses through. They do not reliably protect against STIs, especially viral ones, and are not recommended for STI prevention (CDC, reviewed 2024; Marfatia and colleagues, 2015). Treat them as a pregnancy option only.
Latex turns up in other safer-sex supplies as well. Dental dams come in latex or polyurethane (CDC, 2024). Match your lube to the new material: polyisoprene cannot take oil-based lube, while polyurethane can (Cleveland Clinic, 2025). If you react to a latex-free condom, something else in it may be the cause. Nonoxynol-9, a spermicide, can cause irritation (CDC, 2024), and a non-lubricated condom is an option if you are sensitive to lubricants (Cleveland Clinic, 2025).
If you think you have a latex allergy, see a doctor or allergist. They can confirm it with a skin or blood test (Cleveland Clinic, 2020) and help you plan for a severe reaction if you need to (American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology). Until then, use latex-free condoms. Telling a new partner is simple: 'I'm allergic to latex, so I bring my own' is all anyone needs to hear. The JoinTheSwing guides to non-latex condoms and to condom types go further. This answer is general information, not medical advice.
How this answer was checked.
Written by JoinTheSwing editorial and not reviewed by a clinician; general information, not medical advice. Symptoms and alternatives are quoted from the allergy, clinical and public-health sources below, opened on the review date. Diagnosis belongs with a doctor or allergist.
- American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
Latex Allergy (opens in a new tab)
Symptoms range from a skin rash to hives, swelling, wheeze and shortness of breath; a combination of symptoms or trouble breathing needs immediate medical attention; if either partner has a latex allergy, synthetic rubber condoms are the best choice; natural skin condoms are not recommended for STI or HIV protection; an allergist can diagnose it.
- Cleveland Clinic, October 15, 2020
Have a Latex Allergy? Here Are 4 Safe Non-Latex Condom Options (opens in a new tab)
Allergist interview: latex allergy can cause itching, hives and swelling and, rarely, anaphylaxis; polyurethane and polyisoprene condoms give similar pregnancy and STI protection (polyurethane fits less tightly and can slip more); lambskin does not stop many STI viruses; see a doctor for a skin or blood test.
- Planned Parenthood
Condoms (opens in a new tab)
Latex, plastic (polyurethane, nitrile, polyisoprene) and lambskin condoms; oil damages latex, and oil-based lube works with plastic condoms except polyisoprene; lambskin only helps prevent pregnancy; condoms work very well against fluid-borne STIs and somewhat less well against skin-to-skin STIs; avoid flavoured products for vaginal or anal sex; a condom cut open makes a dam.
- CDC, last reviewed June 3, 2024
Primary Prevention Methods (STI Treatment Guidelines, 2021) (opens in a new tab)
Consistent condom use cut HIV infection in mixed-status heterosexual couples by 71% to 80% and reduces chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis B and trichomoniasis; latex condoms reduce HPV, herpes and syphilis risk when the infected area is covered; about 2 condoms per 100 break; most failures come from inconsistent or incorrect use; no latex condom past its expiry or more than 5 years after manufacture; polyurethane protects comparably to latex; the effectiveness of other synthetic condoms has not been extensively studied and FDA labelling limits their recommended use to people sensitive or allergic to latex; natural membrane condoms have pores up to 1,500 nm and are not recommended for STI or HIV prevention; nonoxynol-9 is not recommended; oil-based lubricants weaken latex.
- Marfatia, Pandya & Mehta, Indian Journal of Sexually Transmitted Diseases and AIDS, 2015
Condoms: Past, present, and future (opens in a new tab)
Review: natural (animal-membrane) condoms block sperm but do not protect against viral organisms such as HIV, which are smaller than bacteria; latex is less porous and a more effective barrier; latex allergy symptoms range from hives and itching to wheezing and low blood pressure.
- CDC, April 3, 2024
How to Use a Dental Dam (opens in a new tab)
Latex or polyurethane sheets for oral sex on the vagina or anus: a new dam every time, check the date and for tears, on before oral sex starts and kept on until the end, water- or silicone-based lube, no stretching, no nonoxynol-9, no oil-based products, no reusing; how to cut a latex or polyurethane condom into a dam.
- Cleveland Clinic, updated November 18, 2025
Condoms (opens in a new tab)
Latex, plastic (polyurethane, polyisoprene, nitrile) and natural-skin materials; oil-based lube breaks latex and polyisoprene; natural-skin condoms prevent pregnancy but are not recommended for STI prevention; most failures are human error, including one condom used with more than one partner during group sex; condoms generally last one to five years; store cool and dry, not in a wallet; spermicide-lubricated condoms can cause UTIs.
- CDC, April 3, 2024
How to Use a Condom (opens in a new tab)
Step-by-step use of an external condom, and the don'ts: no storing in a wallet (heat and friction), no nonoxynol-9 (irritation), no oil-based products such as baby oil, lotion or petroleum jelly, no more than one condom at a time, no reusing.