Charisse

Let's first remember that the original poster, to date, "only" has eczema--not Type IV, or Type I latex allergy, yet. She may never develop either, although the eczema makes it more of a possibility in the future (which she already knows). Many are posting here as if she already has Type IV latex allergy. It probably would be better (note: better) for her to use low-protein, no-powder latex gloves than the powdered ones, if that is the ONLY choice for her. It would be best if she would avoid that altogether and, from the get-go, use nitrile, vinyl or some other non-latex glove while working and in school--just because she would be more prone to acquire the allergy due to the broken skin integrity. If she gets to clinical or work and non-latex gloves are not available to her, she needs to ask firmly for them on day one. Now, if she already had a bona fide Type IV/Type I latex allergy, then working around latex gloves and equipment would not be in her best interest. Her allergy, as those of us already know, probably would gradually worsen over time and possibly cost her her job. The promising thing is that more and more healthcare workplaces are becoming latex-safe, albeit slowly. Personally, as for me, I tell all nursing school grads, students, and people thinking of going to nursing school (as well as established nurses) to look for work in a latex-safe setting. Having to live with this allergy is the pits. It changes all aspects of your life. To tell you the truth, I would never have gone into nursing if I had known this was going to happen to me.

I am a retired (d/t latex allergy) Labor and Delivery RN. I would suggest that you ask for (and get) non-latex gloves. Nitrile tends to be stronger than the vinyl ones I have worn. First of all, I agree with the poster who said that finding veins is relies more on experience than type of glove worn. Latex gloves fit more tightly, in most cases, and may be thinner than other gloves, but experience will make those differences moot. Find the vein without gloves on and put the gloves on when you are ready to start the IV or take blood. There should be sterile and non-sterile non-latex gloves available for anyone in the OR, whether she is circulating or scrubbing. If not, and you choose OR nursing, ask for them and use them. Using low-protein, no-powder latex gloves just delays the inevitable. If you do develop an allergy to latex, eventually you won't be able to use even those. Take it from someone who knows...

Angel, What I have read is that the powder acts like a transport medium to make the latex, especially if it has contact with open areas, more readily accessible to the body. Unfortunately, I would have to say I do react to the elastic in the underwear, but all these years I used to think that it was from the pressure of the elastic against my skin. My skin is so sensitive that anything putting pressure on my skin leaves a red mark in that shape which then becomes a welt. However, putting 2 and 2 together.....I used to burn like fire for a few hours after my ex used to use rubbers when we made love.....and then there is the tingling of my lips from blowing up balloons, which I thought was the result of pursed lips for a long time (which I have been told no one else feels). So, in addition to the story I placed here about one of the very last births I did, I am now facing this reality: that I have been and am allergic to latex. Wearing the old powdered high protein latex gloves in the 80's, my hands would burn like FIRE, turn red for hours and my skin would split wide open along the creases in my palm. The unit changed to low protein, no powder gloves and I was spared any more grief until 2 years ago. One day I noticed, after a C/S, that I was constantly rubbing my hands together, scratching them. I looked down and my hands were beet red again. So the next couple of days, I tested my hands with the gloves....and the same thing repeated. I was starting to get heartbroken because I knew this recurrence was going to spell the end of my career. So...I asked for a substitute and got Nitrile gloves which were good, but I still had to put sterile latex gloves over the nitrile ones when we ran out of the sterile non-latex ones. Plus all the other latex around me....sigh. I didn't know how sick I was getting until this incident mentioned elsewhere happened and I was away from the work environment for a long time. Long enough to clear up my breathing. I have asthma but it was getting worse....slowly...over a long period of time. There were days that I couldn't hardly do deliveries because I was trying so hard to breathe. Like I said, I never put 2 and 2 together here. I have been home for over a year now and I RARELY have to take my asthma medication...maybe 3 times since last Jan. Before that, I couldn't even get it really totally under control (I never got to the respiratory distress stage, thank God, where I needed to go to the ER..it was always a more quiet, chronic kind of asthma). I so desperately want to get back to the profession I love so much, but, as you can see, I now have a double whammy to deal with. I want to do the easy thing. I want to deny that I have this problem. My expressing it here is making it more real for me. I want to do the thing we nurses are so good at....I want to go into denial and one day, when I am ready, go back to work. In reality, I know that will never happen...and it hurts even more. You guys are great. For over a year now I have looked for a forum to express myself without repercussions or qualms--and I finally found it. Thanks for listening to me. I do appreciate it so much. Before I go, if you knew of anyone with this problem, what aspects of nursing did they turn to? or what kind of profession did they change to? Char......

Have any of you become latex sensitive or allergic over the years? What were your symptoms? How did you handle it? Char...