Reaction to Rubber Gloves Posted: 06-26-06 11:29am
I already have a latex allergy. I've
known this for about 6 years now. I
quit using latex products as much as
possible and am ever so cautious when
going to the dr or dentist. I left work
in the food industry and joined the
military. It seemed all was going well
until we had a military exercise last
week. This is not the first time i've
been in one so what happened caught me off
guard. I was told the gloves and mask
that we have to wear for our chem suits
are made of rubber. Just recently after
wearing the gloves I broke out in a rash
and what appeared to be hives. I was
told that it couldn't be an allergic
reaction because the gloves are not latex,
and that it must be heat rash. I've had
both heat rash and an allergic reaction to
different things, and this didnt appear to
be heat rash. I had a red itchy rash,
with what appeared to be hives that
started around my wrist area and quickly
spread to my hands and elbow. After
taking benadryl the red and itchiness
subsidded, but now I had what appeared to
be reddish purple blotches and remanents
or the hives or bumps still on my arms.
It's now been 5 days since this happened
and I get a slight itch from time to time
and still have a few red bumps that
haven't gone away. Also when wearing my
gas mask I would feel a bit itchy but I
always thought that it was just me.
However, days after wearing my face, neck
and head will be itchy and I have bumps
that appear to look like little pimples or
acne. This usually only happens after I
have to wear the mask. At first I
always thought it was due to the dirt and
sweat from the mask but am now wondering
if it is otherwise. Since neither of
these are made out of latex, but butyl
rubber for the gloves and butyl and
silicone rubber for the mask, is it
possible to develop an allergy to this
rubber or perhaps the chemicals used to
make the rubber.
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bimmy
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 16 Jul 2006 Posts: 3
Posted: 07-16-06 06:47am
Hi kacie,
i think it's possible to be allergic to
anything and it is always important to
follow your instincts! It sounds like you
already know you are allergic to the
suit/mask, so don't let anyone talk you
out of it for your own health.
Is there an alternative suit you can wear?
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Sean3000
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 06 May 2006 Posts: 35 Location: UK
Posted: 07-16-06 09:04am
Hello,
what your suffering with is a condition
called contact dermatitis, as soon as the
allergin is in contact with your skin you
breakout in a rash.
Although the mask may not be made out of
latex it will probably be manufactured
using a technique known as vulcanisation
(more commonly known as rubber
acceleration) which uses all sorts of
harmful chemicals, and its these chemicals
that 9/10 are causing your problems.
Your position is somewhat unfortunate
becuase your going to need to be in
contact with this stuff at some point.
You need to go to your doctor or
dermatologist and they will probably give
you a topical steroid cream or perhaps a
barrier cream to apply before being in
contact with the rubber.
You could try an antihistimine to relieve
any discomfort such as itching,
xyzal/levocertizine would be a good one to
try
