Nursing with a Latex Allergy

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Specializes in long term care, sub-acute/rehab.

Hi,

Recently I have become very allergic to latex (most recently my throat started swelling up at work) and unfortunately I work in a facility where nearly everyone uses latex gloves. The facility supplies me with nitrile gloves however. The facility is very thrifty (read: cheap) and latex gloves, being the cheapest, are what they use.

My question is, does my employer have the ability to terminate me if I cannot work in the building because of the latex? Should they be forced to switch to non-latex exam gloves and is it possible to do this?

Each time I go in there I have a reaction and it's been getting worse but I don't want to change employers because I've been there for four years. Any insight is greatly appreciated!

~Kelly

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Specializes in Gastroenterology.

I don't know what the legalities of this issue are, although I am sure there must be employment and health regulations about it, but I do know that one of the catherization labs at my hospital went entirely latex free due to one of their staff members developing a severe latex allergy. I'm sure it wasn't easy for them because the entire hospital had to switch to using non-latex gloves when transporting patients to and from the cath lab. But one year on they seem to have done it. So it is possible, at least in certain units. Have you spoken to your manager or occupational health about it yet?

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Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

I believe there are federal OSHA regulations that an employer MUST provide latex free gloves for you. I don't think they can terminate you if you can't tolerate latex either, but it might not be possible for you to survive if you're extremely sensitive to it there. Are you saying it's so bad that you react to latex other than gloves, without even touching it?

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That stinks that you're so allergic to the latex. My facility is almost completely latex free - there are just a few supplies that still have it. Even our BP cuffs and band-aids are latex free. I, however, have a reaction to the nitrile gloves, so my employer buys me vinyl ones. Yay me! I never had a problem with latex. I can tell you this, I was ready to quit over the rashes I would get from the nitrile gloves, so I can't imagine how you are dealing with the latex issue. Is it really worth putting your health in jeopardy just because you've been there for 4 years? I think I would be looking for another facility that is latex free, and I would state my reason for leaving as a latex allergy - I don't think anyone would hold that against you. But that's just my opinion. If you really want to stay, do you have an employee health program that could help you figure out how to avoid supplies that contain latex? Good luck!

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Specializes in Case Management.

They can't fire you. But you do have to protect yourself. No one will do it for you. I developed my latex allergy in the late '80's and I met a lot of resistance just getting non latex gloves on the floor for me to use. I ended up leaving bedside nursing and that was one of the many reasons I did so. I still have an allergy but in the environment I work now, there is no problem because I work from home. If you want to stick it out, be prepared to fight for your rights and be your own advocate.

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Specializes in long term care, sub-acute/rehab.

Hi everyone,

Thank you for your replies. My facility does supply me with Nitrile gloves. They ordered them immediately when I told them that I cannot wear the latex. I've even ordered a case for myself, and intend to keep a box in my truck, just in case they run out and do not reorder them in time. I cannot wear vinyl either because the accelerators used to make them give me itchy blisters on my hands.

My problem is that there are boxes upon boxes of latex gloves (not the low protein variety) everywhere on the floors and everyone else wears them, touching everything and then I touch the desk, doorknobs, wheelchairs, etc and I get itchy rashes and wheezing. I am not sure what happened the other day with the swelling of the throat, but I am just a bit nervous to go back to work tomorrow and have it happen again.

I don't want to look for another job because 1) not many places around here are hiring anymore and 2) most of the other facilities use latex gloves anyway. I am pretty well attached to my residents also and really do not want to start over at the bottom of the ladder, so to speak.

There have been a few firings of nurses/CNAs in the past month or two, and I am concerned that this problem makes me an easy target to be next out the door. I saw an allergist today who is not convinced that my breathing episode was caused entirely by the latex, but agrees that I am allergic to it. The only other thing I thought it could be is possibly mold in the facility, but I had the skin test done for 13 molds and negative for every one.

I suppose I will just have to see what happens tomorrow when I go in. I pray it won't happen again. I also plan to talk to the employee health nurse about the possibility of the facility changing over to nitrile or vinyl. I'll keep my fingers crossed! Thank you all for your comments. I appreciate them!

~Kelly

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Specializes in PICU.

As severe as your reaction seem to be, I don't think I'd take the chance with continuing exposure. Are the latex gloves powder free? Why did the allergist think that wasn't the source of your wheezing?

Our pediatric facility is almost completely latex-free, has been for years and I'm so glad. My oldest has a latex allergy that could have been avoided if her neurosurgeon hadn't been so stubborn. I feel for you. :>(

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