Question:
Are there any healthcare workers here that have latex allergies? What kind
of gloves do you
wear, and do you have any problems with them? I am a dental assistant and
for the past two months I have been getting a rash on my face. Very itchy
red raised and sore. My doctor's first thought was latex allergy, but since
it wasn't on my hands didn't really know. It goes away for a few days and
comes back again, and is worse each time. Can you get a reaction if you
touch your face after taking off gloves and before washing your hands? This
week I have been wearing nitrile gloves and Friday my hands became very red
and sore. I did wear sterile latex gloves for about 10 minutes for a
surgical procedure, so am not sure which gloves caused the problem on my
hands. It was different than the rash on my face. To complete matters this
is a delayed reaction. Anyone have any experience with this? Any thoughts
would be welcome.
Answer:
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/latexalt.html You might actually be reacting to two different things.
Why not get properly tested by an allergist?
http://groups.google.com/advanced_group_search
phrase search "latex allergy"
You'll find a number of occupational related posts/websites discussing this. Latex allergy links: http://latexallergylinks.tripod.com/ Latex Allergy Links
http://latexallergylinks.tripod.com/dental.html Latex-Dental
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http://www.osha-slc.gov/html/hotfoias/tib/TIB19990412.html#2A
Technical Information Bulletin
Technical Information Bulletin - Potential for Allergy to
Natural Rubber Latex Gloves and other Natural Rubber
Products.
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http://www.immune.com/rubber/
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http://www.latex-allergy.org/
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http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/98-113.html Latex Allergy Prevention
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Those who are atopic [subject to various allergies] are
most susceptible to latex allergy.
The powder in the gloves can be a problem.
There are different types of allergic reactions; they
can get worse with repeated exposure with the possibility
of developing food allergies and anaphylaxis. There can
be cross-reactions with other allergens.
