latex allergy info question & question on shellfish allergy

[nursebetti2001]

Hi Everyone,

I am just wondering if you have any good web sites with current literature on latex allergy?

Also, do you have any research articles concerning allergy to shellfish and the cross sensitivity to iodine (Betadine products)? Recently I was told by a surgeon, that the shellfish-cross sensitivity to iodine products is a myth; that actually the shellfish allergy is based on a protein allergy. Any help with either question would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[BeeSunnyRN]

Dear Dragon,

It is a most inconvenient allergy isn't it? I used to be part of a web site but kind of dropped off. I'll check out the one you reccomend. I don't know if you are anywhere near Fort Worth TX but I could tell you the name of a hospital that is semi-latex safe. There is at least a level of awareness. I was on the committee to make it safe a few years ago when first diagnosed. The hospital determined that with a number of latex allergic employees it was just about as cheap to go 'latex safe' as to pay all the workman's comp claims.

It is impossible to be latex free but awareness is everything. However the last time I was there the awareness is slipping a little. Stairwells (with rubber treads) and elevators with rubber floor mats, not to mention the hand rail thingy on escalators are particularly hateful as once you are there, you are kind of stuck!

What a horrible thing to experience during your grief at your mom's funeral!

I am now a school nurse & can for the most part control my environment - I love it even though pedi was never my goal. It's like my own little ER as you never know what's going to walk through the door.

take care & keep breathing!

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

add me to the list. with me it was just blisters on my right ring finger after wearing gloves. that progressed until i thought i must have "kaposi's" or something with the huge blood filled yukky spots on both hands and arms. fortunately i had a great dermatologist who met me in his office and told me immediately that it was latex allergy.

i can eat and love bananas shrimp, lobster, tomatoes, kiwi, etc but the first time i had avocado i had a bad respiratory/oral reaction. i live an hour from any hospital. my daughter happened to have an epi-pen from her allergy shot days. now i carry one. however, i have never had a doctor doubt me when i list betadine, latex and avocado. wonder why some docs are so disbelieving?

[nellie_nurse812]

Betti, I want to say that I agree with the surgeon. If a patient states shellfish allergy, we ask about iodine preps. If the havent had it before, we do a test site. I have never seen a reaction to both. Even better yet, now we have Chloroprep........

[eunurse]

as we all know a true latex allergy is not taken lightly. we ask patients if they buy their cloths "off the rack" or do they look at lables. also if they eat avcado's, banana's or kiwi's without problems. they only thing we have left with latex are the gloves and esmark bandages. as for the shellfish, the easiest thing to do is do a patch test on the inside of the arm while doig an interview. the patient usually gets distracted and by the time you check it prior to heading into the o.r. you can see if there is a reaction and/or ask if there is any itching.

just some thoughts

[tryingtohaveitall]

as we all know a true latex allergy is not taken lightly. we ask patients if they buy their cloths "off the rack" or do they look at lables. also if they eat avcado's, banana's or kiwi's without problems. they only thing we have left with latex are the gloves and esmark bandages. as for the shellfish, the easiest thing to do is do a patch test on the inside of the arm while doig an interview. the patient usually gets distracted and by the time you check it prior to heading into the o.r. you can see if there is a reaction and/or ask if there is any itching.

just some thoughts

My concern with this would be that even if they don't have a severe response at that time, if they truly are allergic by exposing them again, you could be contributing to worsening the allergy.

My oldest was born with hydrocephalus, had several neurosurgeries early in life which sets you up for a latex allergy. That's why the kids with myelomeningocele used to all be latex allergic. She developed a rash years ago while wearing a leotard for several hours on a warm day. We had a blood test done that confirmed the latex allergy. With vigilance, we have kept her away from latex and she doesn't have an anaphylactic response to it (we know this because unfortunately we've had dental hygienists not read the chart before sticking their latex gloved hands in her mouth ) The issue is that if she is exposed over and over, it is very likely to develop into an anaphylactic reaction. I have to be honest and say I would be livid if someone deliberately tested her to see if they wanted to believe in her allergy.