Hi Jackie,

When you wrote "I want my child to be safe but not
have to live in a bubble" I had to write you.

I have had a super severe type 1 allergy for about 5
years now. I have learned a couple of things.

Not everything made out of latex has rubber or natural
latex in it. Many types of materiels are called latex
but are synthetic emulsions of polymers that are man
made.

But not everything that is a synthetic emulsion of
polymers that are man made is free of rubber latex.
Things that are called synthetic latex can have an
amount natural rubber latex content.

So did that clear anything up for you? It hasn't for
me except for 1 major thing and that is; The best
thing you can do for your daughter is to teach her how
to use her medications properly. Instruct her how to
use her preventative medications and her emergency
medications. Have practice sessions until she's blue
in the face (pun intended)! Make sure she knows the
warning signs so she'll know when she is having a
reaction.

I think this is very important because the problem
with latex allergy, unlike the peanut allergy for
example is that you can not see, smell, taste, latex.
Someone could have popped a balloon in McDonalds five
minutes berfore you came. Someone may have just
cleaned the school bathroom with latex gloves 5
minutes before she used it.

My two cents...hope it helps.

Karen


--- in2eeyore <in2eeyore@...> wrote:
> My daughter has a latex allergy. When it was first
> diagnosed the
> reaction was in a form of a rash and prolonged
> exposure to the skin
> would cause blister that looked as if someone had
> put a cigerette out
> on her skin. As she has grown her allergy reaction
> has become worth
> to the point that it now effects her breathing.
> She earned a scholarship to go to a prepartory
> boarding high school.
> The school is new... and the contruction of the
> recreation center is
> mostly latex (flooring, mats, balls, ectra). Her
> physician has sent
> a letter to the school stating she can no longer go
> into that
> building. The physician also requested that she be
> kept away from as
> much latex exposure as possible.
> As a parent I feel frustrated and sometimes even
> guilty because there
> are many items that I didn't realize that contained
> latex that I
> myself exposed her to.
> It is great to know that there is group I can
> problem solve with.
> Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. I want my
> child to be safe
> but not have to live in a bubble.
> Jackie Miller
> Wisconsin
>
>


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