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).
I am shocked that a school's course catalogue would state something like that. And I would think twice about attending a school that would state something like that. This subject was never brought up in any literature from my school or verbally from any of its representatives until our first orientation day with our clinical instructor (who also taught the labs). It was asked if anyone had a latex allergy. One student did. 99% of the supplies in our hospital (where we did ALL of our clinicals and now she and I are both employed) are latex free. The hospital has a very strict policy about latex products - anything that has a latex free alternative, is what we use. The hospital also has a very strict policy to prevent patients and visitors from bringing in products that contain latex such as a zero tolerance policy for balloons. Because the stores cannot guarantee that the foil balloons have not come in contact with the latex balloons, we do not allow them in the building. Also, if they are helium filled, they have come in contact with the latex balloons through use of the same tank and nub. Even the toys in the peds area are latex free.
I can't believe the course catalogue would state something like that. Do you know how many people in health care have a latex allergy? Lots! Why? Because of the constant exposure! At least if a person has a latex allergy BEFORE nursing school, they know how to deal with it all along rather than having to learn when something happens.
I wouldn't assume that your reaction is related to powder in the gloves. Often latex allergies begin as a contact reaction rather than an anaphylactic one. Perhaps you should be tested so that you know for sure. I do have a sensitivity to the powdered gloves, hands will break out in eczema from them. My hospital also supplies powder-free gloves - examination gloves and sterile gloves as well. I just have to call stores and they will bring up as many boxes as I want and put them where I want (you kind of have to hide them because people will grab whatever is handy not realizing that you NEED that kind whereas they can wear whatever).
No - a latex allergy is not a barrier to successful graduation from nursing school. My class had over 40 students all-together... 11 graduated. 29 students WITHOUT latex allergies did not graduate. The one student WITH a latex allergy did graduate.
I wouldn't assume that your reaction is related to powder in the gloves. Often latex allergies begin as a contact reaction rather than an anaphylactic one. Perhaps you should be tested so that you know for sure. I do have a sensitivity to the powdered gloves, hands will break out in eczema from them. My hospital also supplies powder-free gloves - examination gloves and sterile gloves as well. I just have to call stores and they will bring up as many boxes as I want and put them where I want (you kind of have to hide them because people will grab whatever is handy not realizing that you NEED that kind whereas they can wear whatever).
No - a latex allergy is not a barrier to successful graduation from nursing school. My class had over 40 students all-together... 11 graduated. 29 students WITHOUT latex allergies did not graduate. The one student WITH a latex allergy did graduate.
edited once for typo
I definitely have a latex allergy. I was tested for it and have seen my dermatologist several times. I'm allergic to BOTH the powdered ones AND the powderless ones. I've tried both. The powder isn't usually the ingredient that causes a skin reaction. The powder becomes airborne and can cause sneezing/coughing. It's the latex protein in the gloves that causes a skin reaction, which in me is pretty severe. In the many years since I discovered my allergy, I've never had an anaphylactic one though (Thank God!).
Speaking of sterile gloves, do they even make non-latex sterile ones??
BUT...here's the kicker...I am also allergic to antibacterial hand soaps. They screw up my hands too. So, I'll have to figure out how to get around that in hospitals. Guess I'll have to carry around my own pocket-size hand soap??
All I know is: I am definitely not going to let these two allergies stop me from becoming an RN! I've made it through 10 yrs. of dental hygiene with this, and I'll make it in the nursing field too. :)
Speaking of sterile gloves, do they even make non-latex sterile ones??/QUOTE]
Yes, they do. None of the examination (non-sterile) gloves in our hospital contain latex. But, we also carry sterile gloves that are latex-free. One of our surgeons refuses to wear gloves with any latex in them (though he doesn't have a latex allergy).
Speaking of sterile gloves, do they even make non-latex sterile ones??/QUOTE]
Yes, they do. None of the examination (non-sterile) gloves in our hospital contain latex. But, we also carry sterile gloves that are latex-free. One of our surgeons refuses to wear gloves with any latex in them (though he doesn't have a latex allergy).
Speaking of sterile gloves, do they even make non-latex sterile ones??/QUOTE]
Yes, they do. None of the examination (non-sterile) gloves in our hospital contain latex. But, we also carry sterile gloves that are latex-free. One of our surgeons refuses to wear gloves with any latex in them (though he doesn't have a latex allergy).
Speaking of sterile gloves, do they even make non-latex sterile ones??/QUOTE]
Yes, they do. None of the examination (non-sterile) gloves in our hospital contain latex. But, we also carry sterile gloves that are latex-free. One of our surgeons refuses to wear gloves with any latex in them (though he doesn't have a latex allergy).
some multidose vials have latex in the stopper as well as syringes. just an fyi. hospitals were warned about this in 2002. however, i would bet there are a few out there that either do not know or haven't had enough reason to pull the brands they currently use.
you are protected under the ada act. you should be fine! good luck in school!
some multidose vials have latex in the stopper as well as syringes. just an fyi. hospitals were warned about this in 2002. however, i would bet there are a few out there that either do not know or haven't had enough reason to pull the brands they currently use.
you are protected under the ada act. you should be fine! good luck in school!
When I was in first semester in nursing school, they told us while we were learning to sterile glove that if our hands were red after using the gloves, then we were "allergic" to the latex. I found out that I am not allergic to latex but I am allergic to the powder in the sterile gloves. It doesn't bother me, I just use powder free gloves. I do remember that they told me that if you don't wash your hands almost immediately after taking your gloves off, you r body has a tendecy to start getting allergic to latex and pretty soon if you weren't allergic you will be. I have always remebered that from school. Now if some of the other stuff would come back as fast as that did! :)
When I was in first semester in nursing school, they told us while we were learning to sterile glove that if our hands were red after using the gloves, then we were "allergic" to the latex. I found out that I am not allergic to latex but I am allergic to the powder in the sterile gloves. It doesn't bother me, I just use powder free gloves. I do remember that they told me that if you don't wash your hands almost immediately after taking your gloves off, you r body has a tendecy to start getting allergic to latex and pretty soon if you weren't allergic you will be. I have always remebered that from school. Now if some of the other stuff would come back as fast as that did! :)
some multidose vials have latex in the stopper as well as syringes. just an fyi. hospitals were warned about this in 2002. however, i would bet there are a few out there that either do not know or haven't had enough reason to pull the brands they currently use.
you are protected under the ada act. you should be fine! good luck in school!
trish
Thanks, Trish! :) What's the "ada act"?
As for other things with latex, I'm fine. Just as long as it doesn't directly touch my skin. As a hygienist, I've used polishing cups with latex in them, and they don't harm me. So, I'm sure I'll be fine with med. supplies. But, thanks to you all, I now know to get a non-latex steth!
Thanks so much for all the info. and encouragement, you guys! I'm soooo grateful!! :balloons:
some multidose vials have latex in the stopper as well as syringes. just an fyi. hospitals were warned about this in 2002. however, i would bet there are a few out there that either do not know or haven't had enough reason to pull the brands they currently use.
you are protected under the ada act. you should be fine! good luck in school!
trish
Thanks, Trish! :) What's the "ada act"?
As for other things with latex, I'm fine. Just as long as it doesn't directly touch my skin. As a hygienist, I've used polishing cups with latex in them, and they don't harm me. So, I'm sure I'll be fine with med. supplies. But, thanks to you all, I now know to get a non-latex steth!
Thanks so much for all the info. and encouragement, you guys! I'm soooo grateful!! :balloons:
Any other latex products being used don't bother me (only the gloves, because they're touching my hands).
LydiaGreen
358 Posts
I am shocked that a school's course catalogue would state something like that. And I would think twice about attending a school that would state something like that. This subject was never brought up in any literature from my school or verbally from any of its representatives until our first orientation day with our clinical instructor (who also taught the labs). It was asked if anyone had a latex allergy. One student did. 99% of the supplies in our hospital (where we did ALL of our clinicals and now she and I are both employed) are latex free. The hospital has a very strict policy about latex products - anything that has a latex free alternative, is what we use. The hospital also has a very strict policy to prevent patients and visitors from bringing in products that contain latex such as a zero tolerance policy for balloons. Because the stores cannot guarantee that the foil balloons have not come in contact with the latex balloons, we do not allow them in the building. Also, if they are helium filled, they have come in contact with the latex balloons through use of the same tank and nub. Even the toys in the peds area are latex free.
I can't believe the course catalogue would state something like that. Do you know how many people in health care have a latex allergy? Lots! Why? Because of the constant exposure! At least if a person has a latex allergy BEFORE nursing school, they know how to deal with it all along rather than having to learn when something happens.
I wouldn't assume that your reaction is related to powder in the gloves. Often latex allergies begin as a contact reaction rather than an anaphylactic one. Perhaps you should be tested so that you know for sure. I do have a sensitivity to the powdered gloves, hands will break out in eczema from them. My hospital also supplies powder-free gloves - examination gloves and sterile gloves as well. I just have to call stores and they will bring up as many boxes as I want and put them where I want (you kind of have to hide them because people will grab whatever is handy not realizing that you NEED that kind whereas they can wear whatever).
No - a latex allergy is not a barrier to successful graduation from nursing school. My class had over 40 students all-together... 11 graduated. 29 students WITHOUT latex allergies did not graduate. The one student WITH a latex allergy did graduate.
edited once for typo