latex allergies

I am very disappointed to find not one post regarding latex and latex reactions. Am I the only nurse out here withan allergy? I had my first severe reaction on March 12 and have not worked since. I have filed suit against my former employer.

Anyone else with latex problems? Anyone else unable to work due to latex?

[Brownms46]

Are you not able to use latex-free ?

[jemb]

So far, I've had only contact problems, including my fingers splitting and bleeding after wearing latex gloves. A prior co-worker, however, began developing respiratory problems from being around latex products, and had to take a new position in telephone triage to avoid exposure.

There are so many items with latex content that we use and we don't even think about it until the allergy hits us. Tourniquets, elastic waistbands, bra straps, and just about anything that stretches might have latex content that can cause respiratory problems to the ultra-sensitive. It's not that easy to avoid contact if you are out in public, so you definitely have my sympathy for your situation.

How severe are your symptoms? Are you able to do phone work or some other sort of non-hands-on nursing?

[CRHSrn]

my latex sensitivity developed after i had been a nurse for 1 yr, which is strange since i worked as a telemetry technician/nurse tech for 5 yrs prior to my becoming a nurse. my hands break out w/ lesions that ooze and bleed when i use latex gloves. it hit me hardest when i did a travel assignment in baltimore, md. it got so bad that i was breaking out around my neck and up my arms. my eyes would break out as well and i would look like a raccoon. now, i can just be touched w/ a latex glove and my skin forms a whelp. this puts me in a very precarious situation, beings that i plan on attending CRNA school next year ??? i don't know what to do. anyway, that's my story.

[KathleenC]

I developed a latex allergy way back in 1988. I had a few years of exposure on an IV team. The concept of universal precautions was just beginning. Then I had an exploratory laparotomy. The first time I put on gloves after that (it happened to be at home--cleaning the oven), I developed severe conjunctivitis, sneezing and facial itching. It took me a little while to realize it was latex. I had never had a problem before. Other than slight itching, nothing happens to my hands. I work in a pre and post op ambulatory surgery unit and with care I have been able to keep working. At the hospital's request, I did undergo allergy testing "just to be sure" and did test postive for latex allergy. I tell people never to develop an allergy that inconveniences operating rooms. My biggest problem at work was nagging co-workers, especially doctors, to take off the gloves while using the phone and things like that. The usual response was "These gloves are clean" Funny, I'm allergic to clean latex, too!

Also, everyone loved to blow up gloves to make balloons and bat them around. My unit, but not the OR, is now latex free.

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

I have the allergy with just itching. This created a problem when turning pts. over because those **** vinyl ones do not allow you to get a good grip on pt. I put on a pair of vinyl ones, then the latex ones.

Highly allergic to powder in either, so thank goodness we don't have those.

[acuteobrn]

Mine seems to be more with the powder in the latex bedside gloves and white sterile gloves. I was tested, and was told that my numbers are low, showing no true allergy to them but to just becareful as the more exposure increases the chances of developing full blown allergy. So I play it safe, double glove or use protegrety sterile gloves.

I used to work w/ several that had severe latex allergies, and the institution provided hypoallergenic and non latex gloves, as they had a documented allergy. Infact a increadably good nurse had to leave her position d/t a severe latex allergy, to make matters worse, her sister had the same allergy and passed away from a severe anaphylactic reaction when her house was painted, accidently w/ latex paint...she walked in several hourse later and had a huge reaction. So be careful out there, because latex is everywhere. I personally think we should be provided powderfree and latex free gloves, even if mildly sensitive.

[flowerchild]

I have developed a allergy to latex. I get the welts and oozing sores on my hands if I wear them. I don't know what the big deal is in making people prove thier allergy in order for the employer to provide latex free gloves. I now order the gloves for the clinic and the cost is the same either way. I now only order latex free gloves.

BTW, I understand that the powder in gloves acts like a catalist in that the latex is able to get into your skin easier with the powder. Many people with mild reactions can use the powder free and not have a problem but if they use the powdered latex gloves they have a reaction. A Doc told me this.

Does anyone else have the same problem as I do? I can no longer chew gum. The latex in the gum makes my mouth break out in sores.

I have a patient that can not even tolerate any rubber products. The latex in our BP Cuffs, etc will throw her into anaphylaxis. This and many other children with chronic problems have the allergy to latex at varying degrees.

It seems it is an acquired allergy. I'd love to know the complete etiology of how this happens in our bodies.

[SmilingBluEyes]

i don't know why every facility is NOT latex free.

it's a pain in the butt trying to find the latex-free carts and then learn they have NOT been stocked, after all. what a pain to chase the stuff down, especially after-hours and on weekends, when central supply is closed.

and nurses should not have to be exposed to latex day in and out, either. anyone could develop an allergy to latex. it's a growing problem.

[TeenyBabyRN]

Originally posted by CRHSrn

my latex sensitivity developed after i had been a nurse for 1 yr, which is strange since i worked as a telemetry technician/nurse tech for 5 yrs prior to my becoming a nurse. my hands break out w/ lesions that ooze and bleed when i use latex gloves. it hit me hardest when i did a travel assignment in baltimore, md. it got so bad that i was breaking out around my neck and up my arms. my eyes would break out as well and i would look like a raccoon. now, i can just be touched w/ a latex glove and my skin forms a whelp. this puts me in a very precarious situation, beings that i plan on attending CRNA school next year ??? i don't know what to do. anyway, that's my story.

Latex sensitivity should not keep you from CRNA school. The OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens standard requires employers to provide alternative gloves for those that are sensitive or allergic to latex. My facility uses the Nitrile gloves, which latex-free and powder free. They break rather easily when pulling them out of the box, but they seem sturdier when they are worn. I really cannot see why all facilities do not just get rid of the latex and change over to these. They are more expensive, but no where near the cost of dealing with latex reactions.

[CRHSrn]

i'm not concerned about it keeping me out of school, i'm concerned about me choosing CRNA as a profession. it's gotten so bad that 1) i had a friend of mine inadvertently touch my neck a couple of years ago and my neck immediately broke out with a whelp. 2) my first day on my new job here in texas i mistakenly grabbed latex gloves to help a co-worker pull a patient up in bed (they were on less than 3 mins) and by the time i got them off my hands were itching and a few hours later i had the lesions that were oozing and bleeding, that was 5 weeks ago and i still have them by the way. so i'm a concerned about the OR.

[TeenyBabyRN]

I understood what you meant, but I didn't come across clearly. I meant it shouldn't stop you from going ahead with a CRNA career. I too have a latex sensitivity - mine developed a few months after starting in the OR. We used the powdered, sterile latex gloves for preps and latex nonsterile gloves for everything else. After a while, my hands would crack and bleed if I put these gloves on, even for a minute. Upon my becoming sensitive, the hospital provided me with non-latex sterile gloves (Neoprene, I think) for preps and gave me a choice of cotton glove liners if I chose to wear latex gloves or nitrile gloves if I chose to avoid the latex, which was the option I chose. Several of the CRNAs I worked with wore the cotton liners and others wore the nitrile gloves, so latex sensitivity/allergy is not uncommon in OR. I would only worry if it gives you a respiratory reaction. Then, just being in the room with it would cause a reaction.