Barb,

Wow! Your story is a real eye-opener!  Thanks so much for sharing it as I
suspect most of us had no idea just how bad it can get.  Several years ago I
started to develop a rash on the back of my neck that seemed to be related
to wearing my stethoscope hung over my neck.  Once I stopped doing that, the
rash disappeared, but I have been cautions about latex ever since-not
checking out everything I come in contact with, but avoiding obvious latex.
Maybe I should be even more careful than I have been.

Rather than having to worry about who is sensitive and who isn't, the
hospital I worked at went as latex-free as they could (not only gloves, but
other products as well).  Before that, there were latex gloves and latex
free gloves.  However, there was concern as to whether or not the non-latex
were as impervious to viruses, (HIV in particular) so there were some
extensive guidelines.  If the patient was latex sensitive, the caregiver was
to put on latex gloves and then cover them with non-latex.  If the caregiver
was the one allergic, then they were to put on latex-free gloves and wear
latex ones over them.  What made me chuckle was the advice that if both
patient and caregiver were latex sensitive, find another caregiver!
Apparently, 3 layers were just too ridiculous.  Of course, none of these
precautions would help with someone as severely allergic as Barb.

What a sad and ironic situation where the very things intended to protect us
can sometimes lead to problems as bad or worse than what they were to
protect us from.  This is what has happened with MRSA as well.



Winnie


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