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Compilation article from the old email list archives about latex issues. The first of many.

Message 1077

Hi folks,
It's me Sue :o) This was an issue for my daughter that I have always
been cautious with but not too worried about. I kept her away from the
biggies (balloons, koosh balls, gum and latex gloves and catheters). I
always prayed that I wouldn't have to deal with it. I know how serious it is
cause of knowing people who have it.
Anyway ... in Vikki's IEP it states Latex Prone. So I explained what to
keep her away from. Last week the school nurse calls me at work and asks me
"How allergic is Vikki to latex?" Well, I then say that she has never had a
reaction but I don't let her around the obvious items that have it. She then
goes on to tell me that her clasroom teacher borrowed some gloves for the
class to dig up worms. You guessed it! They were latex. Vikki must have
worn them a total of 1/2 hr. by the time she got home after school, her arms
were fire engine red and burning from her elbows to the tips of her fingers.
I didn't know what it was and just assumed that it was her sensitive skin
reacting to the weather. (even though it was GORGEOUS last week) What did I
know. Could this have been an allergic reation? She stayed red for about 3
days. It was real painful for her and now will make sure that people and
herself ONLY use see through gloves around her. I felt so bad for her :o(
Let me know what you all think?
Suzy - Special Educ.Teacher & Mommy to Vikki 6 yrs. Old w/ SB (L2-S1) &
Michael 10 yrs. Old w/ ADHD & Club Leg. Thank You Jesus for my children! :o)

Sue,

Sounds like a latex reaction to me. Most reactions begin as topical
skin symptoms with each episode progressing further. Zac has
anaphylactic reactions which require epinephrine, Benedryl and Pediapred.
Following the initial attack, we keep him on Benedryl and Pediapred ( a
cortisone) round the clock for 48 hours.

The reason we are told to take precautions from birth is because you
never know when our kids will become symptomatic. Once they do, strict
avoidance is the only cure. I'd have her IEP changed to read latex
allergic and make sure the staff understands the importance of no
exposure. Don't forget to inform her physicians and add it to her
medical history. Consider a medical alert bracelet. Read all you can
about latex so that you are informed about products and alternatives.
SBAA website has a good list that you can print to have on hand. You can
subscribe to a latex allergy e-mail update at Latex Allergy Links
Mailing List - http://www.netcom.com/~nam1/latex_allergy.html
The following are some latex info links:

www.latexfree.com
www.execpc.com/~alert
www.netcom.com/~nam1/latex-allergy.html
www.opuscomm.com/other/tips1998/033098.html
www.latexallergyhelp.com/tablehom.htm
www.cdc.gov/niosh/latexalt.html
http://pw2.netcom.com/~nam1/latex-allergy/sb.html

Re: latex allergy test

Absolutely this sounds like a latex reaction.... I would certainly talk to
her teacher and the nurse... It is hard to keep all latex away from our
kids... but goodness.. latex gloves is a given no no!

I hope she is doing better... and I would ask the teacher what is wrong
with kids digging up worms with their bare hands? That is certainly the way
it was done in the 'good ole days' LOL

Casey Morehouse

Also, don't forget to include your child in latex awareness -- Anna has known
for years now that some gloves should not come near her. When she sees a
food service worker using gloves, she asks me "are those latex?" -- she spots
them before I do now! She doesn't enjoy keeping herself away from balloons,
but I think she does. Since gloves aren't fun, she is very assertive as far
as they go. She also knows to be cautious of band-aids and only puts
stickers on her clothing now. (She has never had a reaction so is only on
precautions). She is 7 1/2.

And they now make some non-latex gloves that are not see-through -- they are
that familiar latex yellowish. We discovered these at the oral surgeon's two
weeks ago. Just another thing to make the job harder -- got to have visual
confirmation from the box the gloves came out of now...

Leslie G.

Connie,

My Zac is anaphylactic now. Airborne & contact. But before he progressed
to this point, I told them we took latex precautions. We avoided the
"biggies." But if we weren't sure and it was going to inconvenience a
health care worker, I'd let it slide. NOW I COULD KICK MYSELF!

In hindsight, I would suggest that anyone with a child with SB,
especially a shunt, should enforce latex precautions from day one. Just
tell them your child is allergic to latex period. It is scientifically
proven that children with SB have a 80% chance of becoming
symptomatically allergic to latex in their lifetime. Exposure increases
sensitivity! Avoidance is the key! The longer you can prevent it, the
better it is for them and you. Hopefully we will reach the point that
this will become standard operation procedure with SB newborns. Then
life will continue to be utopic and people won't ask stupid questions
like, "how allergic is allergic." In my opinion, being a little bit
allergic to latex (or anything else for that matter) is like being a
little bit pregnant.

Serman's over! I guess you could say I'm latex sensitive! :-)


Julie Johnston
New Orleans, La