eInsights - July 2009

What You Need to Know about Latex Allergies

The first reports of latex allergies in people with Spina Bifida were in the late 1980s. Today, experts think latex could be a problem for up to 73 percent of children and youth with Spina Bifida continuing into adulthood.

No one knows why people are allergic to latex, a natural product from the sap of rubber trees. Some experts think it is because people have too much contact with it. People with Spina Bifida that have or have had shunts, other allergies, or several of surgeries may be more at risk than others.

Latex items
Latex can be in anything. It is hard to tell if something has latex in it. The FDA makes companies label medical devices when they have natural latex rubber in them. However, many other types of things still do not need labels. Latex is in a lot of items like gloves, bandages, balloons, and condoms. Download 2009 list of common latex items.

Signs of an allergic reaction

• Watery and itchy eyes
• Sneezing and coughing
• Rash or hives
• Swelling of the windpipe
• Wheezing
• A hard time breathing
• Life-threatening collapse of blood circulation

The only way to not have a latex reaction is to avoid things with latex or latex-contaminated powder. Contact occurs when latex touches the skin, mouth, eyes, genital areas or bladder. Severe reactions can take place if latex enters the bloodstream. Powder from latex balloons or gloves can get into the air. This is a problem when the powder is breathed or touched by a person who is allergic. Food touched by people wearing latex gloves might have this powder on it. (People allergic to latex may also be allergic to some fruits and vegetables.)

Steps to take
Experts believe people with Spina Bifida are at high risk of latex allergy. It could even be life-threatening. People with Spina Bifida and their families should think about the following and then speak with their health care team.

• All people with Spina Bifida should be considered at high risk for having an allergic reaction to natural latex. They should avoid latex products right from birth. Things made of silicone, plastic, nitrile or vinyl can be used instead.
• Those who had a reaction to latex should wear a medic-alert bracelet or necklace, carry auto-injectable epinephrine; and carry sterile non-latex gloves and other non-latex medical items for emergencies.
• Discuss latex allergy and avoidance with health care providers, schools, daycares, camps, visitors and anyone else who is involved with the person who is allergic.
• Talk to health care providers before hospitalization or surgery to prevent accidents and for latex-safe care.

Latex free toys
Many individuals with Spina Bifida cannot enjoy many mass marketed toys due to latex allergies. This means giving latex free toys as gifts. Some toy manufacturers produce items containing latex alternatives such as silicone, plastic, and vinyl.

When you visit your retailers, ask the salespeople if the items contain natural rubber latex. If they do not know, you may need to take extra shopping measures for clarification. Make contacting manufacturers part of your process before shopping at the stores or online for your buying confidence.

To obtain a list of manufacturers or for more information on latex allergies visit www.latexallergylinks.org.

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eInsights is an electronic newsletter brought to you quarterly by the Spina Bifida Association.