Latex Allergies

[Fran_Nurse]

Latex Allergies

Hi Everyone, I am a Nurse Practitioner working in a GP (Doctor) surgery and have a latex allergy. Recently I applied for a job at my local hospital to work in A&E (ER) and was told by Occupational Health that it would be to expensive to employ me. Because A&E would need to buy all new equipment that, was Latex free including trolleys and uniforms

I have previous experience working in A&E for 5 years before moving to Primary care, and the only thing they supplied was latex free gloves which all the other staff kept using because they said was better.

I am in the process of looking at moving to the states in the near future, my questions is in the states do you have similar problems with latex allergies, and do employers discriminate for having latex allergy????????

Fran (from England)

[Dixielee, BSN, RN]

.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, ADN]

[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

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 :trout: 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! :lol2: :lol2: :trout:

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?

[1wyorn]

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=2&did=425973451&SrchMode=1&sid=2&Fmt=4&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1188357489&clientId=36019