LATEX ALLERGY

What is latex allergy?

Many people with Spina Bifida and congenital urological abnormalities are allergic to latex. Allergic responses can vary from watery eyes, wheezing, hives, rashes, and swelling to a more severe reaction called anaphylaxis, which is life-threatening. These responses can occur when latex products touch the skin, mucous membranes, such as the tissue that lines the mouth, genitals, bladder, and rectum, open sores or the bloodstream (especially during surgery). Some people are so allergic that they react to breathing the powder from inside surgical latex gloves or ballooons.

What is latex?

Latex is the sap from a tropical tree. Rubber is produced when chemicals are added to the latex to increase elasticity and strength. Many products commonly used in the hospital, school, community, and at home contain latex. A short list of commonly used products containing latex, and their non-latex substitutes, follow the article.

Who is allergic to latex?

Although anyone can develop a latex allergy certain groups are at greater risk. These groups are made up of people who use latex frequently:

• people with Spina Bififida
• people born with urologic abnormalities
• health professionals

While we don't know exactly how a latex allergy develops, experts estimate that 6-7% of health care professionals and 18-40% of children with Spina Bifida are allergic to latex. Repeated contact with latex products may increase the risk of allergy.

What should we do about latex allergy?

If your child has ever had a reaction of any kind to a latex product, if you think that a reaction may have occurred, or if he or she has had an unexplained allergic reaction during an operation, please inform health care professionals who care for your child. For individuals who are allergic to latex, we recommend:

1. Avoidance of all latex products. Substitute other kinds of gloves, tape, pacifiers, etc. (see following list).
2. Carry with you: a letter from your child's doctor describing the latex allergy; sterile non-latex gloves.
3. If your child has had a serious allergic reaction, talk to your doctor about carrying an epinephrine (emergency medicine) kit.
4. Use a medic-alert bracelet or necklace. This can be ordered by calling 1-800-432-5378.

For all children with Spina Bifida or urologic abnormalities, we recommend LATEX ALERT. This means that one should be aware of the potential for developing latex allergy, and should avoid latex products, thus possibly reducing their chance of developing this allergy.

Probably the most important recommendation is to communicate about this allergy (including the potential for developing it) with all responsible caretakers of your child, including all health care providers, school and daycare personnel, and babysitters. Teach your child to recognize and avoid latex products. Be sure that your child's medical, dental, and school records clearly display a latex allergy alert.

If you have any questions about latex allergy, please contact your physician or the nurse involved in your child's care.

Latex Update:

• It is reasonable that your child wear a medic-alert bracelet for Latex Alert as well as definite allergy (if he/she caths). This will avoid exposure to latex by emergency or hospital personnel in case of an accident.
• It is recommended that you check with local emergency personnel to see that they carry non-latex supplies with them.
• Make sure that your dentist and school nurse use vinyl gloves with your child.

A few products frequently containing latex, which may be found in the hospital, home, or community, and some suggested non-latex alternatives are listed here. For a more complete listing, please contact:

Spina Bifida Association of America
4590 MacArthur Blvd NW Suite 250
Washington DC 20007-4226
1-800-621-3141

As more is learned about latex allergy and product content, their information constantly changes. Their list is updated twice a year. For the most current version, send a stamped self addressed envelope.

Balloons: use Mylar balloons
Balls: Koosh balls, tennis balls (PVC, Hedstrom Sports Ball)
Bandaids: use sterile dressing with plastic tape
Blood pressure cuff: use over clothing or stockinette, Cleen Cuff (Vital Signs)
Bubble gum
Carpet backing, rubber gym floors (provide barrier: cloth or mat)
Catheters, straight: use Mentor, Bard, Coloplast
Clothes: applique on t-shirts, etc..., elastic on socks, underwear (cover elastic with cloth, Decent exposures: covered elastic)
Dental braces with rubber bands (wire springs)
Disposable diapers: use Huggies
Dressings: Moleskin (Johnson & Johnson), Coban (3M), use Tegaderm (3M), Duoderm (Squibb), Steri-strip (3M), or others on the complete list
Food handled with latex gloves (synthetic gloves for food handling)
Gloves, sterile and exam, surgical and medical: use vinyl, neoprene , polymer gloves
Newsprint, ads, coupons dusted with latex
Syringes, disposable: prepare medication in syringe right before use, or use glass syringes
Toys: Stretch Armstrong, old Barbies, bowling balls (Barbies 1993 or newer, Disney dolls by Mattel, many toys by Fisher-Prices, Little Tykes, Playschool, Discovery)
Water toys, swim equipment, goggles, bathing caps, suits: use plastic or vinyl toys, cotton suits
Zippered plastic storage bags: use plain plastic bags

Note: there have been associated allergies to kiwi, bananas, avocado, and other fruits.

Our advice is:

• BE AWARE of the potential for allergy, its symptoms, and of what contains latex.
• AVOID contact with the most obvious things whenever possible, particularly items which will contact mucous membrane in mouths, urethras, or potentially enter the bloodstream
• TEACH your child about latex allergy, and to not use things like latex balloons and bubble gum
• CHECK the content of items you suspect. When in doubt, call the manufacturer.

With permission, adapted from a document written by Elli Meeropol, RN, MS, CNS, Shriner's Hospital, Springfield MA

This document is reproduced from The Inside Edition November 1995

The information provided in this section should in no way serve as medical advice. Readers are encouraged to confirm the information contained here with other sources and seek medical advice from a physician. Neither the authors nor any other party who has been involved in the preparation or publication of this work warrants that the information contained herein is in every respect accurate or complete and they are not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained for the use of such information.

Information provided by the Division of Urology, Children's Hospital, Boston, MA.

Return to Patient Information