[rjflyn]

Slowly more and more hospitals are going latex free. I work ER and our Emergency Nurses Assocition has the position that all ER's should be latex free.

As an example- we had a patient come to one ER I was working with an allergic reaction. Anyway this person's conditon kept getting worse and worse despite aggressive treatment. It wasn't until one of the doctors surmised that maybe the patient was allergic to latex and we stopped using latex items on said patient did their status improve.

Also now alot of hospitals are asking about latex allergy when they hire staff and provide alternate items ie the nurse her own box of gloves if they dont use non-latex exclusively already.

rj

[grantja]

I also have a serious latex allergy, developed numerous food allergies after
2nd anaphylatic reaction, have had 4 analyphatic reactions to latex products...I can write a book on latex and cross over food allergies..
Had Rast testing which was positive, and testing for food allergies which were positive for banana's,bell pepper,red pepper,shellfish,kiwi fruit,papaya,strawberries...developed allergies to penicillin,mycin drugs,sulfa,
motrin,aspirin....also while in ER being treated for anaphylasis, I was given Benadyrl IV and my BP shot up to 210/110....doctor's reccommend no more
Benadyrl..........My reactions to latex began as contact dermatitis....then one
day while working BOOM! I had a anaphylatic reaction.....that was in 1990,
so I got educated on Latex...Did you know there is latex in gum? I guess my point is if you are having any kind of reaction to latex products please get
educated on Latex Allergies, see an Allergist, get a epi pen(I carry 3...and have used them on many occasions)..........this can really change your life..

PS...If you have a respiratory allergy you can react if latex gloves are removed by staff members.....so hospitals can supply you with non-latex gloves, but if you are super sensitive you can still have a reaction.

Unfortunately, I am not allergic to cake, ice cream, chocolate. donuts........

[Dixielee]

Originally Posted by grantja

.My reactions to latex began as contact dermatitis....then one
day while working BOOM! I had a anaphylatic reaction.............

That is so often the way it goes. I noticed dermititis during the early 90's when I was using powdered, latex gloves. It never occured to me it was an allergy, I just assumed it was dry hands from washing so frequently. Then our hospital switched to powder free gloves, and my dermititis resolved.

Then several years ago, I started with the redness and itching again with latex, powder free gloves. Hummm....I started using non latex gloves, symptoms dissapeared.

As a travel nurse I have noticed most hospitals now have latex free IV start kits, BP cuffs and other commonly used articles. We do have a latex free cart for patients with latex allergies, although the only thing I can think of we commonly use are latex catheters, but we can easily substitute silicone catheters.

While I don't avoid all latex, I have noticed new bras, underware, socks, anything with elastic tend to break me out until they are washed many times.

The funny thing about hospitals balking at providing latex free products is that working with the latex over the years IN the hospital is what caused our allergy in the first place!

[AuntieRN]

I too have a latex allergy that is or should I say has been luckily only contact dermatitis...nothing resp....thank goodness....I too have a hard time with anything like my socks etc breaking out the skin on my feet and what not...

grantja....I am in SC too and I love Charleston

[Hoozdo]

[quote=rjflyn;1580375
Also now alot of hospitals are asking about latex allergy when they hire staff and provide alternate items ie the nurse her own box of gloves if they dont use non-latex exclusively already.

rj[/quote]

I THINK I am developing a latex allergy. My hands itch and knuckles turn red after wearing them. My old hospital had latex and vinyl and I always tried to wear vinyl.

I just accepted a new postion and occupational health asked me if I had latex allergies - I said "I think so". They said they would provide me with a box of gloves. I didn't say anthing, but I thought....pffft one box of gloves! I go through one box of gloves in an 12 hour shift I start tomorrow night so we shall see.

Good info about the RAST test. I will have to check into that!

[LZRN]

It's confirmed!, my skin patch test came back positive for rubber, latex, "black dye's", and a few others! WELCOME TO NURSING, PLEASE DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING!

Help! I think I have developed a latex allergy! It started the time I started nursing school but, only in my fingers. I went to the doctor on several occasions and was told it was eczema caused by stress over and over again! Well, I started workin in the ER about 8 mo ago and it has became progressivlly worse ,covering my hands, arms, ears, legs, back and is now creeping to my face!!! The bad part is I think it has gone beyond just gloves etc, because I've not been at work for over a month and it's still kill'n me. I have recenlty noticed that the rash in my elbows matched the places where I rest my elbows in my truck! I was told almost anything with rubber can cause a reactions, has anyone had experience with items such as eyeglass ear peices, computer key pads, cell phones etc.. causing a break out?

[jnelson34]

Hi all, I was just looking at this thread to see if I could find some more info for an Evidenced Based Practice paper that I am doing for one of my classes. Last year of nursing school! From what I have seen so far in my research... the most common cause of latex allergic reactions is due to the powder in the gloves. There are over 200 latex proteins that exist on the inside/outside of the gloves. These proteins tend to bind to the powder and when the gloves are put on, or taken off, the powder is airborne then inhaled. Hence the reaction. If anyone would like to read the full article:
http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index...clientId=36019