For as long as I can remember we have always used latex gloves on the medic units and ambulances. With the increased awareness of latex allergies, we have switched exclusively over to nitrile gloves, this past year. While I still prefer latex for sensitivity and dexterity, I have become accustomed to the nitrile. In the lab we still use latex as our primary glove, with nitrile and vinyl for those with latex allergies. Pete

Doing SAR and working with scouts-(they get loads of injuries) Is that often they don't know they are allergic to latex which poses a large problem!

Mark

While there has been an increase in the awareness of latex allergies, I have encountered very few individuals who actually have a legitimate latex allergy. Most of these individuals are aware of this condition and many carry a MEDIC ALERT tag/bracelet to inform those who might need to treat them if they are unable to answer questions. I have "treated" many individuals who claim to have an allergy to a particular food, medicine, etc., who in reality are experiencing an adverse reaction, but not a true allergic reaction. As one of those who is often asked to volunteer to provide medical care at Girl Scout events, I make sure we have a current health history for each child and make it point to know which children have medical conditions which may require closer attention. Pete

Thats standard procedure with our lads to know there medical history! What is interesting is what you say that some so called allergies and not what they seem-i'm not a doctor so i don't know about humans! In animal terms personally i've never met an animal with a latex alleregy but it would be hard to spot if it did exist-i will continue to uise latex at work but we use nitrile for suspected animal poisons like rat poison as nitrile gloves will nbot disintegrate if you come in contact with it-quite unlike Latex!

Mark

A true allergic reaction is the body's hyper-immune response to an allergen. Most often they are to specific proteins, although some complex carbohydrates can elicit an immune response. Most allergic reactions can be classified as mild: localized itching, redness, mild swelling and wheal formation. Moderate allergic reactions can include the previous signs/symptoms with a more aggressive nature, plus mild to moderate respiratory wheezing may occur. Severe or anaphylactic shock is an immediate life threatening condition; there is severe respiratory involvement including possible respiratory and cardiac arrest. Individuals who know they have potential life threatening allergies, will often have an autoinject epi-pen with them at all times. I know of one person who works in one of our research animal facilities, who has such a severe allergy to latex, that if she touches the door knob where someone has worn latex gloves while opening the door, she will go into severe anaphylactic shock, which has occurred once already. She is diligent in wearing nitrile gloves at all times while in the animal facility and always has her epi-pen with her. In reference to "false" allergies, I have been to calls where someone has taken a medication and is experiencing one of the side effects and describes it as an allergy. If any of the physicians would like to correct or add to anything I have said, please feel free. Pete

The various stages of allergenic reaction is very useful because the only one i have ever been made really aware of is serious anapflactic shock-due to one our lads having a nut allergy and he must have all his one spoons, forks bowls etc. as if ther is minute traces of nuts he will become ill! I must say he very vigilant and i have only had administer his epi-pen once when he ate a food which had smalkll nut traces in but didn't say on the packet! BTW we consquesntly sewed them for negligence!!!!

hmm, what a can of worms i've opened!! all i know is that the dept where i am no longer stocks latex as a matter or course, just in case, in this litigation age that we live in.

to get a rash once would seem like misfortune, twice would seem like carelessness (sorry for the spelling and butchering of the quote!!)

lol-what u have to rember is i have learnt something here and i would not doubt many other have as well!! That is what makes forums like this so important!!

Mark