Dear Aimee,

Neoprene rubber is the synthetic rubber that is
closest to natural rubber latex. Surgical gloves
made of neoprene are available, and quite costly.

Pure neoprene cannot cause a Type 1 latex allergy
response BECAUSE it contains no natural rubber
latex proteins. Some so-called "neoprene" products,
however, do contain BOTH natural rubber and
synthetic rubber, so you must carefully investigate.

Synthetic gloves, also, in general, can and do
cause Type 4 chemical sensitivity responses,
because almost all gloves are made with the same
chemicals that cause Type 4 responses. For more
details on Type 4 allergic responses, please see
this page:

<A HREF="http://www.Immune.Com/rubber/not.necessarily.rubber.html">
Chemical Reactions</A>

Technically, the word "latex" refers to a chemical
*emulsion*, so that the word latex is also used in
"latex paint," for instance, when there is probably
no (zero) natural rubber latex involved at all.

I prefer to say "natural rubber latex" so that my
intention to talk about allergen-proteins is clearer.

>isn't it just safer to just avoid whatever you
>think is latex based???

IF you have been competently diagnosed as allergic
(Type 1) to natural rubber latex, then YES, you should
strictly avoid all contact with natural rubber latex to
avoid allergic responses and to avoid having your allergy
worsen or "progress." This also especially includes
avoiding contact with airborne cornstarch powder from
co-workers who are wearing cornstarch-powdered
natural rubber latex gloves - This means you must not
breathe the open air where cornstarch-powdered
natural rubber latex gloves are in use, because the
cornstarch carries significant amounts of natural rubber
latex allergen-proteins.

>isn't it just safer to just avoid whatever you
>think is latex based???

So, it becomes necessary for you to be a good detective,
carefully reading all labels and investigating all new
materials by contacting the manufacturers. Avoiding
contact with things that do not contain allergens, however,
may only help with psychologically-based symptoms,
rather than allergen-response symptoms. So, "thinking"
that an item contains natural rubber latex is probably not
the whole answer in choosing items to avoid.

As you can see, the first step is to figure out if
you are Type 1 allergic, Type 4 allergic, irritant contact
dermatitis, or some combination of these. Once you know
what is CAUSING your symptoms, you are in a much
better position to proactively avoid the items that cause
your allergic symptoms.

Oh, by the way (BTW), I am a computer networking
expert, not a patient care professional. <smile>

Keep safe.

Pax (Peace),
Ballew Kinnaman <kinnaman@...> 206/463-2322
Discussion list owner: Allergy, Arthritis, PCHealth, Rubber, Thyroid

Latex Allergy
Discussion Group <A HREF="http://www.Immune.Com/rubber">.</A>

=== ===

> Date: Wed, 17 May 2000 03:10:14 -0000
> From: "aimee " <cmaimeec@...>
>Subject: man made latex
>
>does anyone have info on man made latex - all i have read is
>that "latex allergic people" normally don't react to it?????? how
>can you tell the difference and who really cares to figure it out -
>isn't it just safer to just avoid whatever you think is latex based???