Hi idlewild,
I can imagine that it must have been scary.
While there are numerous possibilities that could be responsible for her symptoms … on the chance that there is a type I latex allergy involved it may worthwhile getting tested to rule out the possibility because latex is so common in our society that it would be a very good idea to know because with any systemic allergy that involves breathing the symptoms can become progressively worse after repeated exposure (like someone that has a mild reaction to a bee sting but then the symptoms become worse after a while and in some cases may require that they carry an epipen).
There is more about latex allergies in post #2 here including links to some good sources for some of the symptoms that can be involved but with any significant allergy that involves breathing or a systemic reaction it isn’t something I would take lightly.
Phoenix
PS: Hopefully buttercupbetty will see your post and update us but she was tested and confirmed that it wasn’t a latex allergy (see here) but I don’t think she ever did find out what it was.