Hi! I work at Oregon Health & Science University / Doernbecher Children's
Hospital in Portland, OR. Four years ago I was in misery with almost
constant wheezing and bronchospasms. Since that time we have moved into a
new building and the hospital is making every effort to be latex safe.
Nitrile exam gloves are the standard supply on all units, and all of our
sterile gloves are non-latex. I believe that the OR still has some latex,
but even those are powder free. I now feel better than I have in years
since I don't have that repeated exposure at work all the time I can
tolerate small exposures in the community. I can now walk into a party
store and not need my bronchodialator and even my kids can have those free
balloons that everyone always offers as long as they don't bring them close
to me or into the house.
Find a good allergist to back you up. Also encourage your co-workers to
have a rast test. They will be surprised to find how many of them will test
positive. Most people that have topical reactions to the gloves will
eventually also start to have systemic response. Anyone that is allergic to
fresh fruits & vegetables, the powder in the gloves or is asthmatic is high
risk.
Most units in our hospital are also fragrance free. They are offering some
pretty nice recruiting bonuses if any one is interested.
As an interesting aside- I just read about children in China having asthma
from the frequent and continued exposure to silk. I always have hated the
smell of silk when I washed it, but I never paid attention if I had
symptoms. Hmmmmm.
Mina, Lake Oswego, OR