Things You'll Need:
- Constant diligence.
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Step 1
Avoiding products with latex is the only way to stay safe. Any item made from rubber can be suspect. These items include the soles of many types of shoes, swim caps, elastic, rubber bands, any toy made from rubber, some tooth brush or hair brush handles, bath mats, even some diapers, condoms, and diaphragms. This is only a small portion of items that contain latex. It is important to do research and be suspect of any product that may contain rubber. If you are in doubt, contact the manufacturer. Most companies are aware of allergies and will want you to be safe from their products.
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Step 2
Remind the doctor and dentist at each visit about the latex allergy. Although it is in the charts, doctors and dentists can get busy and make mistakes. You may have to remind them several times during you appointment if they attempt to use a device that appears to be made from rubber. You have to be your own advocate and speak up when necessary. Besides gloves, many other items in the offices can contain latex, including a tourniquet, EKG pads, bandages, and many dental devises.
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Step 3
Wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace. If you are in a situation that requires medical care, and you can't communicate, the medical alert jewelry can save your life. Emergency personnel are trained to look for the jewelry and take precautions to keep you safe. There are many types and styles of the medical alert jewelry, which have the medical alert symbol on the front and are engraved on the back with your name and specific allergy.
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Step 4
Your doctor may, depending how severe your allergy is, request that you keep an epinephrine pen with you at all times. This shot can stop a severe allergic reaction from tuning into anaphylactic shock until the emergency personnel arrive to treat you further.
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Step 5
With research, careful package reading, and constant reminders to others, it is possible to avoid severe reactions from latex. For more information, refer to the American Latex Allergy Association at http://www.latexallergyresources.org/.
Comments
pnwf said
on 6/29/2009 Thank you for your cogent thoughts on latex allergies; this is an important and often overlooked issue, and I found your words provocative and insightful.
The organization I work for, the Pacific Northwest Foundation, is devoted to researching alternative modes of healing for a variety of illnesses, including latex allergy. I wanted to share with you a video presentation of a case study we conducted some years ago about a woman with severe latex allergy who, through a variety of methods, was able to diminish her reactivity. The link to the presentation is http://pnf.org/html/anna_s_case.html.
I'd like to thank you so much for your contribution to the subject of latex allergy, and hope you will find the case study above helpful in your continued exploration into the subject.
Handmadedreams said
on 5/31/2009 Well done! Very useful info.