latex allergies

nowplayingEDRN · Oct 5, 2003

Our facility has pretty much gone latex free, except for a few things because of the high incidence of latex allergies both with health care workers and patients. All we use are nitrile gloves , with me as the exception.........Why do you ask am I the exception??? because I am allergic to the nitrile!! My hands turn red, itch, get all funk and crack. There is 1 brand of latex free that does not seem to bother me but they do not want to get them for me because they are so expensive, so for now I use latex, which does not seem to bother me in the least. I know, I know....I am ever the odd ball.......:rotfl:

debo_lpnER · Dec 4, 2003

CRHSrn I would very careful concerning your latex allergy. If you have such quick response and it takes weeks for the lesions to heal - take heed.

I started noticing swelling and redness back in dec 2002. By may my ER removed all latex gloves to try to protect me. I was then only exposed to the gloves worn by EMS. Within 2 months I had bronchitis that lasted 12 weeks until they removed me from the ER and placed me on steroids. I don't even have to see latex to start reacting. I can feel EMS before I even see them in the ER.

I touched a rubberband 2 days ago and am still red faced and my bottom lips is almost to sensitive to touch. Latex kills. I wish that the hospitals would think of our health instead of the bottom line cost of changing gloves and trying to make it safe for nurses, MDs and pts.

I am now home after only 3 yrs as a nurse. I spent the last 2 yrs in the ER. Now I' m scared to death if I get knocked out in a MVC that EMS will kill me with the latex before they take time to look at my medic alert braclet. Worse yet they will see it and pull the gloves off and handle without washing the latex off their hands and I really will react.

The powdered gloves are the worst because they can keep latex airborne for 4-6 hours after taking them off.

Deb

bgibsonlpn · Jul 8, 2004

My partner has a reaction to latex and the hospital we work has put her on suspension. Is it legal for them to fire her over this.If you have any advice please respond

mandykal, ADN, RN · Jul 9, 2004

Excuse me if I haven't read all the post, sometimes when I see too many posts I usually just read the original poster and than just reply.....

I notice at my work....many people are allergic to "powdered gloves." Even some staff when they first have a reaction they automatically "assume" he/she is allergic.... One time I really looked at an individual person who just informed me that she is having reactions (rashes).....I looked closely only to find that her skin was itching like crazy not because of reaction she first had, but rather because she kept constantly "washing" her hands that were cracked. She went home and did a few treatments of lotioning ....Which in turned help....She wasn't allergic to the powdered gloves after all..... :uhoh21:

suzanne4, RN · Jul 9, 2004

I have actually worked with surgeons who have latex allergies and we have never had any problems in the rooms, so it is possible to continue working in the OR.

There are also many people that say that they have latex allergies, especially patients coming for surgery, but with questioning you find that they are allergic to the powder in gloves, and not the actual latex. A good question to always ask is if they have any problems with condoms.................

"My partner has a reaction to latex and the hospital we work has put her on suspension. Is it legal for them to fire her over this. She loves what she does and says she would rather die doing what she loves to do that change careers. If you have any advice please respond."

By law the hospital cannot fire some one who is allergic to latex, they are responsible for paying for latex free gloves for that person.

longtermcarern · Jul 9, 2004

Be sure to read the fine print on packages. We are a latex free facility but every now and then it sneaks in disguised as something so different you would never think it contained latex. our latest was versalon nonadhesive telfa pads, in the fine print: contains latex.

bgibsonlpn · Jul 14, 2004

Be sure to read the fine print on packages. We are a latex free facility but every now and then it sneaks in disguised as something so different you would never think it contained latex. our latest was versalon nonadhesive telfa pads, in the fine print: contains latex.

Cobain wrap also contains latex. Its everywhere you would be suprised what does have it in there.

CHATSDALE · Jul 14, 2004

I was having a reaction at one facility and I tried the powdered and the non powdered, and the latex free which were better but i kept having cracked area between fingers and rash on back of hands...started to clear up on days off but returned quickly when i went back to work....changed jobs (unrelated to reactions) and lo and behold i never had any further reaction...i don't know if it was related to the differeant manufacturer or if i was having a reaction to the soap used in first facility or if it was something entirely differant all i know is the reaction (mild and confined to hands) is gone

jmorrisrn · Jul 14, 2004

I have a latex allergy that has developed into anaphylaxix over the past 3 years. I am currently on suspension from my job--with pay--until my allergist says I am officially allergic to latex. If it is positive, I may not be able to go back to work, because some of the DOCTORS don't want to go to totally latex free gloves!!! So, no, you are not alone. tell me how you found a good lawyer????

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?

latex allergies

Have you developed a latex reaction?