Latex allergy

PJMommy · Aug 21, 2003

Great ideas on the latex-free hospitals/carts, etc. I'm also a nursing student and have a latex "sensitivity" according to the doc. I get the rash, etc. if I have prolonged contact with latex (i.e. tape, band-aids). I'm supposed to avoid it completely since it can become systemic and/or anaphylatic at any time.

Nana - do you have disability insurance you can tap while you work out details?

nekhismom · Aug 22, 2003

originally posted by lpn2be2004
we have the "anti-latex cart" for nurses that are highly allergic. it contains everything a nurse might need to wear or that might touch the skin, but it is 100% latex-free. that all got started when 1 nurse had a severe reaction, and petitioned for an alternative.

all they have to do is call central supply for the "100% nurses cart". it might be an idea to start something like this.

that would be a great idea! i know that it is a huge deal at my local hospital to be allergic to latex. i had to have an emergency appendectomy and of course it had to be 100% latex free. the nurses there were like "are you really allergic or just get a rash?" and "how do you know you are allergic?" stuff like that. they complained forever about how they didn't have any latex-free tourniquets or other equipment. luckily, i had an excellent physician (whose mother was a nurse and taught him how to truly care for pts.). he demanded that the nurses not even come near me with anything latex. he demanded that a latex free cart be created for me and he demanded that the or be completely cleared of latex products. he was the greatest dr. i have ever known, and very young. too bad the nurses didn't play the role of pt. advocate in my case.

flowerchild · Aug 22, 2003

I hope you carry an Epi-Pen and a cell phone. And, don't chew gum.

I get localized reactions on my hands, rash that lasts for days.

I always had to get a order from my Dr to get latex free gloves in the past.

Now that I order the gloves, the vinyl and the latex cost the same, I no longer order latex gloves. I also have latex free bandaids and other items for my patients, who many are on latex precautions.

There are anti allergy injections available that decreases the risk of anaphylaxis. They are given weekly. But I'm not sure they would work for latex. See an allergist. There is some current developement in a drug that will treat people with severe allergies.

I agree that there is reason to persue workmans comp, but you may be better off using your own insurance since you can better choose your doctors.

I can see why the docs would be reluctant to clear you to go back to a job in OR. To much latex around.

One more good thing about being a nurse ia there are so many options for practice. Perhaps you could explore your opportunities.

Good Luck, keep us posted.

Dragonnurse1, ASN, RN · Sep 5, 2007

Nana, your first post was neither vague or confusing. Latex allergy is still one of the most misunderstood problems we can have. Even other nurses are not aware of the problems latex can cause. If your hospital has been using powdered latex gloves there is no where to work within that setting as the powder moves thru the air ducts. Latex is in over 40,000 items in the US alone. Being allergic ain't fun. I started with an anaphylaxis reaction and now can not even go shopping without wearing a respirator. Send me email and I will give you location of lots of good stuff on latex and the chemical allergies that will follow. In the meantime stay away from tomatos and cantelope unless you want to live on benadryl makes you ITCH. I know I have the problem and now am on Social Security Disability. Please text me just put latex allergy in about line so I will remember you, :banghead:

EmmaG, RN · Sep 5, 2007

My allergist told me that even if I use non-latex supplies, or even if the hospital is "latex-free", I am still getting latex exposure. To put it simply, it's in the air.

Dragonnurse1, ASN, RN · Sep 5, 2007

He Is right as far as he stated. Truthfully latex is everywhere. In your insulation, 162 pounds in your car, the back of your carpets, the cushions of chairs, carbonless paper, adhesives, some forms of wood (composite) in drywall, plywood I think you get the idea.

Once you have had the BIG reaction when you cross the line from sensitive to allergic you will start have cross reactions with foods. I have been trying to teach people in my town about latex allergies but it is like :banghead: !

EmmaG, RN · Sep 5, 2007

He Is right as far as he stated. Truthfully latex is everywhere. In your insulation, 162 pounds in your car, the back of your carpets, the cushions of chairs, carbonless paper, adhesives, some forms of wood (composite) in drywall, plywood I think you get the idea.
Once you have had the BIG reaction when you cross the line from sensitive to allergic you will start have cross reactions with foods. I have been trying to teach people in my town about latex allergies but it is like !

Yeah... he said there is no getting away from it in a hospital, no matter how careful you are; he has me take antihistamines before I go in to work. What gets me are the heavy sighs and eye-rolling I get when I inform my co-workers I'm allergic. I ask them repeatedly to please not use latex gloves while I'm working (per my doc's instructions), but they ignore me. He offered to write it as an order, to give to my manager. I will probably have to take him up on that, as I am getting little if any cooperation on my own.

My reaction consists of runny/stuffy nose, sneezing, coughing; I start to wheeze if scheduled more than a couple of days straight... and the itching! My eyes water and get all poufy and itch so bad I can hardly stand it. On the plus side, my lips are nice and full now LOL.

:stone

It has gotten worse over the last few years. I often wonder how long I will be able to work.

Dragonnurse1, ASN, RN · Sep 6, 2007

How long have you been working on antihistamines? How long have you been at the point you are now? Every day you work you are risking the Big One, the reaction that if you are lucky will respond to epi, steroids and resp treatments. If you don'tyou will end up on a vent. It is up to you to protect yourself. I developed laryngospasms prior to Mar 12, 2003 and never made the connection between the coughing and latex. How much longer you work is determined by how long you are willing to risk death due to the latex. By the way where in the world are you? I thought nurses and doctors in Alabama were dumb but I think yours have mine beat.:doh:

EmmaG, RN · Sep 6, 2007

At this point, I don't have much of a choice. My doc and I have worked it out so that I'm safe... if his suggestions are carried through. He doesn't think I'm in danger, although I'm sure the 'tickle' and cough is due to this.

For now, it's tolerable and not too bad if I don't work more than 2 days in a row. Now getting the managers to accommodate me is another matter altogether :stone

sharona97, BSN, RN · Sep 6, 2007

All I can share is the time I was training in a new nurse at a facility and she was asked if she was allergic to Latex. She was. Management promised her that they would remove latex gloves from the dr's rooms in the clinic. She walked into a room that apparently had latex gloves and all she did was open the cupboard door. She very quickly went from wheezing to respiratory distress. The MD treated her with steroids, albuteral and constant monitoring. Thank God it did not become a fatality. I've heard this allergy is very fast acting. I wrote up an incident report and that poor nurse was so mad at management she walked. End of that story. Don't know any follow-up.

MsPiggy · Sep 6, 2007

I've developed severe food and latex allergies a little over a yr ago, at first it was a big PIA getting management to make accomadations for me but now they make sure I get my non latex/non powdered gloves when I order them.

I had a anaphylaxis reaction 1 yr ago to shellfish and then the latex allergies started I was also warned to stay away from melon and bananas they are cross reactive, all fruit/veggies to be peeled. I started allergie injections for my other allergies they don't give injections for food allergies but because some pollens are cross reactive my allergist said it may help lessen the severity of reactions to some foods and latex.

This whole thing has been a big learning experience for me.

I also had to have a emergency appy a few months ago but told everyone I came in contact with I had allergy to latex,iodine & shellfish had no problems at all. I had another surgery 3 weeks after that and forgot to tell them about the latex and they had to go and prep another operating room (thank God I remembered in time!) but gotta say they were very understanding about it.

The second hospital said they were in the process of switching to a latex free environment, lots of health professionals are developing this type of allergy. Scary stuff.

Ms.P

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Sep 6, 2007

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