Any Nurses/Nursing Students With Latex Allergy?

EmilyCCRN · Oct 9, 2004

I have a latex allergy, but my school is very supportive. They provide non-latex gloves and other items in the lab, and all the facilities we go to for clinicals have non-latex items, as well. I can't imagine a facility that wouldn't have latex alternatives since patients can be allergic, too! Could you talk to a student who is already in the program to get the "real deal" regarding the use of latex?

Littman stethoscopes are latex-free. :) Since it'll be touching your neck, you'll probably want to get a non-latex steth.

Good luck to you!

Kaelie · Oct 10, 2004

I wear nitrile gloves all the time. No problems at all in nursing school & thereafter. :)

RDH2RN · Oct 10, 2004

I have a latex allergy, but my school is very supportive. They provide non-latex gloves and other items in the lab, and all the facilities we go to for clinicals have non-latex items, as well. I can't imagine a facility that wouldn't have latex alternatives since patients can be allergic, too! Could you talk to a student who is already in the program to get the "real deal" regarding the use of latex?
Littman stethoscopes are latex-free. :) Since it'll be touching your neck, you'll probably want to get a non-latex steth.
Good luck to you!

Thanks for the heads up on the Littman! :) I didn't think about that.

Angel

NeuroICURN · Oct 10, 2004

I understand completely! I actually found out I was allergic to latex while in nursing school. It had always bothered me (condoms made me itch and burn, balloons and gloves made me feel like my lips were "thicker than usual"), but it wasn't until nursing school that I had an anaphylactic reaction.

Now, in school I was just careful. Also, at the hospitals, I used non-latex gloves and if I had to touch something with latex (a foley, etc.), then I put on gloves first. Also, according to OSHA (if I'm not mistaken), they have to provide you with non-latex gloves.

It's not easy, but it can definately be done!

RedSox33RN · Oct 10, 2004

What a strange thing to put in their catalog! Do hospital's tell pt's that it might be difficult to be a pt if they have a latex allergy??? No way!

We were told in our school that if we had a latex allergy to carry around some extra latex-free gloves since not every client room has them (and make sure to get a good stock for your floor from central supply), have a latex-free stethoscope, and glove-up/gown for any procedure where we would come in contact with latex (the powder from latex gloves should not come in contact with your scrubs or you could have a reaction later from touching it). Also, (very important) they want any employee/student with a latex allergy to be sure and wear a MedicAlert bracelet/necklace stating so, at least while at clinicals.

If I'm not mistaken, I think our clinical instructor said that some hospitals have set aside some latex-free rooms for clients now. I've also heard that more and more healthcare personnel are developing severe latex allergies. :stone I wonder what the future will hold in terms of continuing to develop these allergies and healthcare.

RDH2RN · Oct 10, 2004

What a strange thing to put in their catalog! Do hospital's tell pt's that it might be difficult to be a pt if they have a latex allergy??? No way!

LMBO!! :rotfl: Good point!

Angel

RDH2RN · Oct 10, 2004

I understand completely! I actually found out I was allergic to latex while in nursing school. It had always bothered me (condoms made me itch and burn, balloons and gloves made me feel like my lips were "thicker than usual"), but it wasn't until nursing school that I had an anaphylactic reaction.
Now, in school I was just careful. Also, at the hospitals, I used non-latex gloves and if I had to touch something with latex (a foley, etc.), then I put on gloves first. Also, according to OSHA (if I'm not mistaken), they have to provide you with non-latex gloves.
It's not easy, but it can definately be done!

I can tell you that I DEFINITELY know it's an OSHA requirement for the employer to supply non-latex gloves (at least in dentistry, it is....so, I assume it's the same in the medical field). So, you'd think the college would be required to supply the same. I'm going to an info. session for pre-nursing students in a couple of weeks, so I'll find this out for sure.

Besides gloves, steth's and catheters, what other latex products are used in hospitals? (Just so I can be forewarned.)

Angel

NeuroICURN · Oct 10, 2004

Actually, you'd be suprised of how many products DO NOT contain latex anymore because of people's allergies. There's very few.

The ones that I can think of right off hand are foleys, tourniquettes, some of the collection containers used to get a sputum sample (the ones for a sterile collection)....and they've started to phase those ones out. Also, some products that contain latex that you wouldn't think about....balloons, paint, rubber bands.

I'll look around at work tomorrow to try to think of some other stuff.

RDH2RN · Oct 10, 2004

Actually, you'd be suprised of how many products DO NOT contain latex anymore because of people's allergies. There's very few.
The ones that I can think of right off hand are foleys, tourniquettes, some of the collection containers used to get a sputum sample (the ones for a sterile collection)....and they've started to phase those ones out. Also, some products that contain latex that you wouldn't think about....balloons, paint, rubber bands.
I'll look around at work tomorrow to try to think of some other stuff.

Thank you very much! I'd appreciate that!! :)

Angel

mrdoc2005 · Oct 10, 2004

I'm getting ready to go back to school next semester to become an RN. (I've been a dental hygienist for the past 10 yrs.) I was looking through the CC's course catalog and read the following:
"Because of the widespread use of latex products, individuals who have an allergy to latex may find it difficult to successfully complete a Health Occupations program."
Now, I completely understand where they're coming from and understand the reasoning behind it. However, I do remember seeing some of you post that many hospitals now have non-latex (nitrile) glove alternatives. I'm just curious how many of you have latex allergy? In my work as a hygienist, I am using nitrile gloves. I am completely willing to bring my own gloves to school clinicals, if I absolutely have to...I'm definitely not going to let that stop me from pursuing my dreams! Any other latex products being used don't bother me (only the gloves, because they're touching my hands).
Thanks, in advance, for any reassurance!!
.
Angel

I do not have any problems with the latex but I do have a problem to the powder that some gloves have in them. It does not bother me until my hands sweat and the pores open. SInce you say that you do not have any problems with latex anywhere else then it makes me wonder if it is the latex or the powder.

Trauma Columnist · Oct 10, 2004

Anyone who has a latex allergy or THINKS they have a latex allergy deserve a RAST test - blood test for latex allergy. This is especially important to know so that more severe anaphylactic reactions can be avoided.