Introduction

I have a Natural Rubber Latex Allergy, i was diagnosed with it 9 years ago. At that time I didn't really think much into it or how it would affect my life so dramatically. If i knew then what I know now I may have been able to prevent it from developing from what it was, a simple skin rash that itched to what it is now... full blown anaphylactic reactions. I know some do not know what anaphylaxis, in short it is the body reacting upon itself to rid itself of a deadly allergen. The following link explains in detail what anaphlaxis is and how it effects the body. Anaphylaxis-Wikipedia

There are two different types of latex allergies, Type I and Type IV. Type IV is the most prevalent. It consists of contact dermatitis, redness and itching. It is easily taken care of by washing the affected area with soap and water. Type I is not as prevalent, yet is the most dangerous. It can be deadly if proper medical attention is not. Some of the symptoms of a Type I reaction are:

It is possible to have both types of reactions, I do. while it is rare it does happen.

I have experienced all of the above except the encephalitis. With the use of various medications I have been able to control the reactions, in the event they do not work I carry epi-pens with me everywhere I go. I wear a medical bracelet and very vigilant over what I come in contact with. There is no cure, shot or anything that can help, only avoidance of latex containing products will offer any kind of relief. Repeated exposures will make the reactions worse... eventually the only thing that will work will be epi-pens and trips to the emergency room. ( at a latex free hospital. Which are out there, just have to vigilant in finding them)

That is why I have created this blog in the hopes that even one person will be able to successfully live with this allergy. I am quite sure things would have been different for me if I had known all of this in the beginning.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Items that contain latex and alternative products

This is a list of items that contain latex and some alternative products that can be used. The items on the left contain latex, the items on the right are the alternatives and where to get them.

Decorative Supplies
Balloons
School/Office Supplies
 *Note: All RoseArt products are latex free.
†SEE CRAYOLA GUIDELINES BELOW
Adhesives
  • 3M (800-494-3552) - Scotch Magic Tape, Post-Its, 3650 Storage Tape, Transparent Duct Tape (but regular duct tape is NOT latex free), Command Poster Strips, Command Interlocking Fasteners, Scotch Adhesive Putty
Calculator Buttons
  • Texas Instruments calculators are latex free.
Erasers
  • Sanford (800-323-0749) ­ All eraser products are latex-free EXCEPT Arrowhead Cap Erasers, Design Kneaded Rubber Eraser, Union Eraser, Pink Pearl Eraser, Pink Pet, Paper Mate Eraser Mate, Paper Mate Eraser Max

  • RoseArt (800-272-9667) - All erasers are latex free

  • Faber-Castell (800-642-2288) ­ White vinyl erasers

  • Baumgarten's (800-247-5547) ­ Neon erasers

  • Pental - Click Erasers

  • Soap erasers
Glue/Paste
  • Elmer's (888-435-6377) ­ All glue EXCEPT rubber cement, Sno-Drift paste

  • Crayola (800-272-9652) ­ All glue

  • Avery (800-462-8379) ­ All glue sticks

  • 3M (800-494-3552) ­ Scotch glue sticks

Note: Envelope and stamp glue may contain natural rubber latex. Use a moist rag to wet glue rather than licking.
Modeling Clay
  • Polyform Products Co. (847-427-0020) ­ Granitex, Sculpey, Sculpey III, Super Elasticlay, Super Sculpey

  • Crayola (800-272-9652) - Crayola Dough, Crayola Modeling Clay, Crayola Model Magic, Silly Putty

  • Hasbro (800-327-8264) - Play-Doh

  • RoseArt (800-272-9667) ­ Modeling Clay
Mouse Pads
  • 3M (888-364-3577) ­ Precise Mousing Surface with or without Gel Wrist Rest

  • Quill (800-982-3400)

  • Vinyl sheeting can be cut into pad-sized squares

Note: It is necessary to eliminate all natural rubber latex mouse pads from the home, as proteins from the pads can be "picked up" and transported throughout the home
Paint
  • Crayola (800-272-9652) - All Crayola Paints including Artista II, Watercolors, Washable Paint, Finger Paint, Powder Paint, and Liquid Tempera Paint

  • RoseArt (800-272-9667) ­ All paints
Pen/Pencil Grips
Pens
  • Sanford (800-323-0749) ­ All Pens

  • RoseArt (800-272-9667) ­ All Pens

  • PaperMate (630-481-2200) ­ ZeZe Ball Point Pens, Silhouette Ball Point Pens, Comfort Grip Pens, Dynagrip Pens, Flexgrip Pens
Rubber Bands
« Top
Infants/Children
Diapers/Rubber Pants
Feeding Nipples
  • Gerber (800-4-GERBER) - Silicone (read label, some are latex)

  • Evenflo (800-233-5921) - Silicone (read label, some are latex)

  • MAM - Silicone (read label, some are latex)
Pacifiers
  • Use plastic, silicone, or vinyl

  • Gerber (800-4-GERBER) Silicone (read label, some are latex)

  • Evenflo (800-233-5921) - Silicone (read label, some are latex)

  • Playtex (800-222-0453) - Binky
Tooth Massager
  • Most are synthetic - please check with the manufacturer

  • Oral B (800-566-7252)

  • Crest - Reach soft bristle

  • Butler (888-777-3101) - GUM toothbrushes
Toys
Especially: Rubber Ducky, Teething Toys, Stretch Armstrong, Old Barbies, Technics
« Top
Household Products
Adhesives
  • 3M (800-494-3552) - Scotch Magic Tape, Post-Its, 3650 Storage Tape, Transparent Duct Tape (but regular duct tape is NOT latex free), Command Poster Strips, Command Interlocking Fasteners, Scotch Adhesive Putty
Auto Mats/Steering Wheel
  • Use vinyl, clear, fabric, or leather floor mats
  • Cover steering wheel with latex-free cover
Bath Mats/Rugs
  • Safety.com - Vinyl bath mat
  • Cotton rugs without rubber backing
  • Foam Products (800-526-3626) - Synthetic non-skid pads
Buttons on
Phone/Remotes/Calculators
  • Most are silicone rubber. Check with manufacturer
  • Texas Instruments calculators are latex free
Drain Stoppers
Earphones
  • Plantronics (800-544-4660, Ext.5538) - H series (H31, H41, H51, H61, H81) and Polaris models (P31, P41, P51, P61, P81) are latex free
  • Avid Products (888-575-2843)
Foam Rubber
  • Synthetic foam
Food Storage/
Zippered Bags
  • Ziploc (800-494-4855
  • Kerr (800-240-3340) - canning jar lid seal is latex free
  • Yoplait yogurt - Glue sealing lid onto container is latex free
  • Use wax paper, HandiWrap, or Saran wrap
Garden Hoses
  • Vinyl
Gaskets
  • Neoprene, silicone
Gloves (Kitchen/Household)
  • Use vinyl, neoprene, nitrile, polymer gloves
  • Allerderm (800-365-6868) ­ Nitrile, vinyl
  • Kimberly Clark (800-544-1847) - Safeskin
  • Maxxim (800-346-8849) - Sensicare, Tru-Touch, Aloetouch, Accutouch, MediGuard
  • Regent (800-843-8497) ­ Neotech, Skinsense
Glue (Envelopes/Stamps)
  • Moisten with a wet cloth instead of licking
Phone Receiver/Shoulder Rest
  • Avoid direct contact with skin
  • See above entry for latex-free earphones
Plants (Fiscus/Poinsettia)
  • Don't let sap touch skin
Silk Flowers (Latex Stem)
  • Avoid contact with skin
Spatulas
  • Use wooden, plastic, or synthetic
  • Pampered Chef
Tools with Rubber Handles
  • Use vinyl or leather handles
  • Cover with latex-free tape
« Top
Clothing
Undergarments/Elastic
Pantyhose
  • Lycra-Spandex
  • L'eggs (800-925-3447)
  • Tuck clothing under elastic waistband
Raincoats
  • Neoprene-coated nylon
Shoes/Rubber Boots
  • P.W. Minor (585-343-1500) - Rubber-free sport shoe
  • Gempler's PVC waterproof boots (800-382-8473)
  • Minnetonka (718-365-7033) - Moccasins
  • Superfeet (800-634-6618)
  • Crocs (877-238-4404) Latex-free clogs, boots, and flip-flops
Stretch Fabrics (Some)
  • DuPont (800-441-7515) - Lycra/Spandex
Swimsuits
T-Shirts with Appliqués
  • Avoid contact of appliqué with skin
« Top
Personal Products
Contraception
Cosmetics/Applicators
  • All Natural Cosmetics (888-586-9719)
  • Clinique (800-419-4041)
  • Luminescence
  • Revlon (800-473-8566) - All products are latex free, including applicator foam wands and puffs, and pads on eyelash curlers
  • Qosmedix (631-242-3270) - Latex-free applicator sponges
  • Use cotton balls or brushes

Note: Cosmetics may contain papain, a papya derivative that can cross react with latex.
Incontinence Supplies
Sanitary Pads
Toothbrush Handles
  • Most are synthetic - please check with the manufacturer
  • Oral B (800-566-7252)
  • Crest - Reach soft bristle
  • Butler (888-777-3101) - GUM toothbrushes
« Top
Home Medical Supplies
Bandages
  • Sterile dressing with paper, silk, or cloth tape (See below for more medical tape options)
  • Johnson & Johnson (866-565-2873) - Advanced Healing and Activ Flex Band-Aids are latex free
  • Kendall (800-962-9888) ­ Curity bandages are latex free
  • 3M (800-328-6276) NexCare Active Foam bandages are latex free
  • Latex in packaging only: Readi-Bandages, Active Strip (3M), CURAD Neon, Johnson & Johnson Band-Aid Brand
Braces/Splints
  • Use cloth or felt to cover foam lining
Crutches
  • Cover pads/grips with cloth or tape
  • Crutchtips.com (800-227-8498) - latex-free crutch pads and grips
Medical Tape
  • Cloth, paper, or silk tape
  • Johnson & Johnson (866-565-2873) ­ Hurt Free
  • 3M ­ Transpore, Durapore, Micropore
Wheelchair Seat/Tire/Brake
  • Cover seat with fabric or neoprene cushion
  • Wear leather gloves to turn wheels
  • ROHO (800-851-3449) - cushions
Water Bottles (Hot/Cold)
  • Wrap cloth around water bottle, or use cloth-covered heating pad
« Top
Restaurants and Grocery Stores
Latex Gloves
  • Synthetic, vinyl (inquire before eating)
  • Arby's and Subway have a "no latex" policy, but it's recommended to check with individual restaurants, as some may not follow the franchise protocol
  • Restaurant Chains and Glove Use (PDF)
« Top
Sports Equipment
Bike/Ski Helmets
Bungee Cords
  • Avoid direct contact with skin
Handles
Ping Pong Paddles, Golf Clubs, Baseball Bats, Rackets, Ski Poles, Bikes
  • Use vinyl or leather handles, or cover with tape or cloth
Mouthguards
Rubber Balls
  • ALL Koosh products contain natural rubber latex. Do not use Koosh products of any kind
  • Do not use Balzac Balloon Balls or Omnikin, as these contain natural rubber latex balloon bladders
  • Do not use Gator Skin Balls, as the outer coating contains natural rubber latex
  • Some allergic individuals can use tennis balls that are new and completely covered. Bladders of tennis balls are natural rubber latex
Other Balls
Basketballs, Footballs, Soccer Balls, Baseballs
Protective Eyewear
  • Liberty Optical (800-444-5010) - Rec Specs are latex free
  • Scott (800-292-5874) - Ski goggles: Foam around eyes is latex free, but head strap DOES CONTAIN natural rubber latex
Swim Cap/Goggles
  • Use silicone swim caps
  • Use silicone or vinyl goggles
  • Speedo (888-477-3336) - Hydrospex goggles are latex free. Latex-free replacement strap can be bought separately for other Speedo goggles

Note: Some latex-allergic individuals may react to chlorine and/or latex proteins released from swimsuits and pool items due to chlorine
Water Toys
  • Use PVC or plastic toys
Wet Suits, Scuba/Snorkel Masks
  • No known alternatives
American Latex Allergy Association
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3 comments:

Unknown said...

finally some helpful information. I am new to the world of rubber allergies and I have had a difficult time finding info on what is and what isn't safe for me. I am in a continuous state of flare up reactions and although I am becoming more aware of triggers I am struggling with what needs to be avoided and the mental aspect that goes along with such a life changing situation. Any advice or suggestions would be very helpful at this point.

November 2, 2015 at 7:10 AM
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