The first step in treating latex allergy is being aware of the problem…

 An allergist/immunologist, often referred to as an allergist, has the knowledge and experience to diagnose the problem and develop a treatment plan.
Your allergist may prescribe an antihistamine to take for mild latex allergy symptoms. Your allergist may also prescribe epinephrine, or adrenalin, to keep with you in case you have a severe reaction to latex. Your physician can help decide whether you should wear a bracelet that alerts people about your allergy.
If your allergy is severe, it is important to tell your family, employer, school personnel and healthcare providers about your allergy. If you need surgery, ask that everything be latex-free. Special surgical suites that have latex-free equipment and having your surgery done first case in the morning are reasonable requests.  Request that examines in the doctor’s office be latex-free.
Generally latex exposure to solid products like toys and tires are not a hazard for asthma or hay fever because particles do not get aerosolized.
If you have trouble breathing when you are around latex, stay away from areas where powdered gloves are used and avoid all direct contact with latex.
If you need to wear gloves, try substituting vinyl or nitrile gloves for latex. Synthetic latex gloves do not contain natural latex and are another option. These work in nearly all situations, including surgery, but they may be more expensive. If you tend to get a skin rash reaction to latex, latex gloves made without additional chemicals may be a good choice.
Latex condoms may cause serious allergic reactions in some people. If either partner has a latex allergy, synthetic rubber condoms are the best choice, although natural skin condoms may be used.

Healthy Tips.

• People who react to latex typically develop a skin rash. This is irritating, but not life-threatening.


• There is no cure for latex allergy. People with severe reactions must avoid latex. Always carry Epinephrine and use non-latex gloves.  Avoid cross-reacting foods.


• If you have trouble breathing when you are around latex, or if you get a combination of symptoms, get immediate medical attention. These symptoms include hives, itching or flushing, swelling, sneezing, runny nose, cough, wheeze, shortness of breath, chest tightness, nausea, dizziness or lightheadedness.


• An allergist is the best physician to determine if you are allergic to latex.


• The 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) covers people with severe allergies to substances such as latex. Talk with your employer about your options.

Feel Better. Live Better.

An allergist/immunologist, often referred to as an allergist, is a pediatrician or internist with at least two additional years of specialized training in the diagnosis and treatment of problems such as allergies, asthma, autoimmune diseases and the evaluation and treatment of patients with recurrent infections, such as immunodeficiency diseases.
The right care can make the difference between suffering with an allergic disease and feeling better. By visiting the office of an allergist, you can expect an accurate diagnosis, a treatment plan that works and educational information to help you manage your disease.

Lay Organizations

The AAAAI highly values its relationships with patient advocacy organizations in support of our mutual concern for the needs of patients with allergy, asthma & immunologic disease and their families. In particular, the AAAAI has an ongoing relationship with a group of specific organizations, listed below, with whom we partner on various projects as needs and opportunities arise. We encourage you to visit these organization’s websites, for more information on their important initiatives and missions.
ALLERGY & ASTHMA NETWORK/MOTHERS OF ASTHMATICS (AANMA)
AANMA is dedicated to helping people affected by allergies and asthma through education, advocacy, community outreach and research. AANMA offers educational materials, monthly award-winning publications, a toll-free help line, Hispanic outreach, and a Website, http://www.breatherville.org/. Visit or call 1-800-878-4403.
8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 300
McLean, VA 22102
Phone: (800) 878-4403
Fax: (703) 288-5271
http://www.aanma.org/
AMERICAN LATEX ALLERGY ASSOCIATION
The mission of the American Latex Allergy Association is to create awareness of latex allergy through education and to provide support to individuals who have been diagnosed with latex allergy.
PO Box 198
Slinger, WI 53086
Phone: (262) 677-9707
E-mail: alert@latexallergyresources.org
www.latexallergyresources.org
Follow us on Twitter and FaceBook.
AMERICAN PARTNERSHIP FOR EOSINOPHILIC DISORDERS (APFED)
APFED is a non-profit organization dedicated to patients and their families coping with eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders. APFED strives to expand education, create awareness, and support research while promoting advocacy among its members.
3419 Whispering Way Drive
Richmond, TX 77469
Phone: (713) 498-8216
http://www.apfed.org/
ASTHMA & ALLERGY FOUNDATION OF AMERICA (AAFA)
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America is a not-for-profit, voluntary health organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with asthma and allergies and their caregivers through education, research and advocacy.
8201 Corporate Drive, Suite 1000
Landover, MD 20785
Phone: (800) 7-ASTHMA (800) 727-8462 or (202) 466-7643
Fax: (202) 466-8940
http://www.aafa.org/
Alaska Chapter: http://www.aafaalaska.com/
California Chapter: http://www.aafa-ca.com/
Greater Kansas City Chapter: http://www.aafakc.org/
Maryland/Washington DC Chapter: http://www.aafa-md.org/
Michigan Chapter: http://www.aafamich.org/
New England Chapter: http://www.asthmaandallergies.org/
Texas Chapter: http://www.aafatexas.org/
St. Louis Chapter: http://www.aafastl.org/
FOOD ALLERGY & ANAPHYLAXIS NETWORK (FAAN)
The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) Founded in 1991 by Anne Muñoz-Furlong, the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) is the world leader in information about food allergy, a potentially fatal condition that afflicts approximately 12 million Americans, or one out of every 25. A nonprofit organization based in Fairfax, Va., FAAN has members in the U.S., Canada, and 58 other countries. It is dedicated to increasing public awareness of food allergy and its consequences, to educating people about the condition, and to advancing research on behalf of all those affected by it. FAAN provides information and educational resources about food allergy to patients, their families, schools, health professionals, pharmaceutical companies, the food industry, and government officials. For more information, please visit FAAN at http://www.foodallergy.org/, http://www.faankids.org/, and http://www.faanteen.org/.
11781 Lee Jackson Highway, Suite 160
Fairfax, VA 22033
Phone: (800) 929-4040 or (703) 691-3179
Fax: (703) 691-2713
http://www.foodallergy.org/
faan@foodallergy.org
FOOD ALLERGY INITIATIVE (FAI)
FAI is the largest private source of funding for food allergy research in the United States. The organization’s mission is to support research to find a cure for life-threatening food allergies; clinical programs to improve diagnosis and treatment; and educational initiatives and public policy to make the world safer for those affected.
515 Madison Avenue, Suite 1912
New York, NY 10022
Phone: (212) 207-1974
http://www.faiusa.org/
info@faiusa.org

US HEREDITARY ANGIOEDEMA ASSOCIATION (HAEA)
The US HAEA is a non-profit patient advocacy and research organization. We are dedicated to expediting US approval of safer and more effective HAE therapies as well as facilitating a Scientific Registry for research toward a cure. Our Patient Representatives provide a wide range of services that include clinical trial placement, physician referrals, education, and individualized patient case management.
The US Hereditary Angioedema Association
c/o Janet Long, Vice President
Seven Waterfront Plaza
500 Ala Mona Blvd., Suite 400
Honolulu, HI 96813
http://www.haea.org/
IMMUNE DEFICIENCY FOUNDATION (IDF)
The IDF is the national patient organization dedicated to improving the diagnosis, treatment and quality of life of persons with primary immunodeficiency diseases through advocacy, education and research.
40 West Chesapeake Ave., Suite 308
Towson, MD 21204
Phone: (800) 296-4433 or (410) 321-6647
Fax: (410) 321-9165
http://www.primaryimmune.org/
THE MASTOCYTOSIS SOCIETY (TMS)
The Mastocytosis Society is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting patients affected by Mastocytosis/ Mast Cell Activation Disorders as well as their families, caregivers, and physicians/health care providers through research, education, and advocacy. TMS offers educational materials, a quarterly newsletter, a written resource guide for physicians/health care providers who need assistance in diagnosing a patient with a suspected mast cell disorder, an email list, and support groups. We hold an annual conference that starts off with a Walk-a-thon to raise funds for mast cell research and education, and is attended by patients and mast cell disease specialists. For more information, please visit our website at http://www.tmsforacure.org/ .
The Mastocytosis Society
P.O. Box 511
Plainville, CT 06062
Phone: (508) 842-3080 or (413) 862-4556
Fax: (508) 842-2051
vslee@tmsforacure.org

http://www.aaaai.org/patients/lay_organizations.stm

http://www.aaaai.org/patients/advocate/2008/fall/latex.asp

http://www.wikipedia.org    (for picture of latex gloves)