latex allergy

[oncruisecontrol]

Reading this thread has been an eye-opener. A year ago I had an allergic reaction after eating a certain processed food. For at least 2 years before this incident, I'd eaten mostly whole foods and no processed foods except for a couple that I was accustomed to eating and never eliminated from my diet. On this particular night, I ate this processed food item which I hadn't eaten in at least five years. 20 minutes later I was covered in hives from my scalp to the soles of my feet. Never had hives before. Took Benedryl, and when the dose wore off, each subsequent outbreak was worse. Cannot compare this to anaphylaxis, but when my face blew up, I went to the emergency room. The only thing out of the ordinary in my diet that day was this one food that I had not eaten in at least 5 years.

 

While this outbreak of hives seemed severe to me, the doctor said it was a "moderate" allergic reaction and I did not require a shot. He gave me a prescription for Prednisone pills. In 36 hrs, I was hive-free. But, now, I am a persistent label-reader. If any product I buy has any of the ingredients (or any words I cannot pronounce) that that suspect food item had, I will not buy it. On my last cruise, I only ate certain things.

[MtnBikerFallDown]

I am glad that I can help someone out... I had to find out the hard way. Spreading the word or information could maybe save someone's life. If I can help someone be more informed on this allergy perhaps we can avoid one more reaction in someone.

 

I hope you enjoy your cruise on Enchanetment, it was our 1st cruise and we absolutly loved the ship. It was smaller but everyone of the cruise staff knew our names by heart, even my 7 year old son. When we would walk down the hall to our cabin, the cabin steward if he was out and about would have our door open for us by the time we got to the room. Enjoy!

 

I cruised Enchantment with my Dad in 2008 and just loved it. I think it is my favorite ship. Taking my husband this time and I think he will love it, too!

[DaNana]

My allergy used to be contact. Now with repeat exposure it is airbourn. One open Strawberry kiwi juice or a cut open kiwi in the building can cause me to go into anaphalaxis shock. I carry up to two epi's at all times and have 2 extra everywhere I go. Once the proteins are exposed to the air. My body is able to recognize it at once.

 

I can't go into tire stores, furniture stores because they spray the furniture with latex to keep it clean. I have to order my fruits and vegetables from a garden share that is delivered once a week.

 

This allegry is really hard to avoid. I can't buy meats in the meat deptment unless they are wrapped in paper as the wrappers contain latex and the pads on the bottom of the meat container have latex.

I spent several years as an allergy nurse. I personally would not want to be the cruise nurse if you had anaphalaxis shock on a ship at sea. I have had one particular incident in a clinic where I had to call & run a code. It would be in your best interest to speak with your specialist who is overseeing your care for their advise and not advise on this board.

[Cruzin RN]

http://www.latexallergyresources.org/News/newsArticle.cfm?ArticleID=97

 

here is a link discussing the 2010-11 flu vaccines...good news, several do not contain latex...slowly, the industry is trying to eliminate latex from medical products..thought it may be helpful because things change all the time!!!

Edited February 7, 2011 by Cruzin RN

[madthumper]

Things I have learned with this allergy...

 

If you take insulin... I had to switch from humalog to novolog because of the latex content in the insulin stoppers in humalog. Novolog uses a different type of stopper. Latex in advhesives.

 

At the clinic... can't use the injectable pain relief or numbing solution used in some minor suguries due to latex content. Flu shots vial stoppers contains latex. They could not use 1/2 of the items they were supposed to due to latex content.

 

Rubber bands, pens with the rubber finger pads on them.

 

Elastic in clothes, underwear, spandex, fabrics can contain latex...

 

Matress at hotels and in the store may be sprayed with latex to help them maintain ease of cleaning. Have to call ahead to make sure items are safe.

 

Hidden latex in some glue sticks, tennis balls that are used on chairs and walkers to prevent stratching the floor are full or natural rubber latex that breaksdown and emits airbourn proteins into the air.

 

GUM did you know that many types of chewing gum have latex.

 

TSA - uses latex gloves... Bring your own and put signs up in hotel rooms and will put sign in luggage to ask them not to touch items with latex gloves.

 

I made the mistake of eating a piece of cake, did not realize the server had lifted the cake with a latex glove... Bad reaction, BAD REACTION

 

Living with this allergy, I am learning everyday.

I can empathize with you, I walk at least 20 feet in front of my wife as a sniffer to make sure there is nothing that would set her off. She has had a bad reaction just walking by an auto section with tires in the Walmart stores.

[Bakincakes]

I just cannot, for the life of me, understand why any business would still allow their employees to use latex gloves? So many people have such serious allergies and more people are developing a latex sensitivity from using those gloves.

 

We got rid of latex in our office years ago and use Nitrile...it scares me to think of how many restaurants, housekeeping services, etc still use latex.:eek:

[marci22]

My allergy used to be contact. Now with repeat exposure it is airbourn. One open Strawberry kiwi juice or a cut open kiwi in the building can cause me to go into anaphalaxis shock. I carry up to two epi's at all times and have 2 extra everywhere I go. Once the proteins are exposed to the air. My body is able to recognize it at once.

 

I can't go into tire stores, furniture stores because they spray the furniture with latex to keep it clean. I have to order my fruits and vegetables from a garden share that is delivered once a week.

 

This allegry is really hard to avoid. I can't buy meats in the meat deptment unless they are wrapped in paper as the wrappers contain latex and the pads on the bottom of the meat container have latex.

 

Knowing this, I would not go on a cruise, where access to land-based medical services is severely limited at times.

[mommabean]

Knowing this, I would not go on a cruise, where access to land-based medical services is severely limited at times.

 

I definitely agree. With a problem as severe as the OP, it's not worth the risk.

 

Gina

[cruisetaker7777]

I have been looking up latex allergy friendly clothing to wear on a cruise.

Clothes:

 

• L.L. Bean search for pima cotton (check for 100% cotton label)
  
• Land's End search for women's Supima or Supima
  
• Fairindigo
  
• Cotton Mill
  
• The Fabric of Our Lives
  
• Cottonways (bohemian style)
  
• Aramark has 100% cotton t-shirts, polo shirts, and button down shirts (fabric content option in drop down menu to the left)
  
• JCPenny has a lot of 100% cotton clothing
  
• Old Navy has some 100% cotton clothing
  
• UniqloUS has some 100% cotton clothing
  
• Talbots has a drop down menu to select fabric type, sorted low to high
  
• Shein has some rayon maxi dresses and long dress shirts to wear with slim pants
  

[not-enough-cruising]

You truly learn new things every day on here. I've been a nurse for over 15 years and never knew that the latex allergy extended to kiwis. Good to know. Thanks for the information and I hope your allergy won't prevent you from cruising!

 

 

 

It also extends to bananas and avocados, however none of these foods (nor the kiwi) have any aerosol potential to be an airborne irritant.

 

 

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[SRF]

While they do use kiwi as a garnish in many dishes and desserts, I'd be more afraid of the latex gloves worn by the workers in the WJ as well as the food preparers. That's a really tough allergery to have.

 

Latex gloves are seldom used in food prep and service.

 

Typically vinyl (the thin clear ones) or nitrile (blue, black, pink, etc).

 

Even in health care, latex is not used much any more. Too many health care workers developed latex allergies.

[SRF]

I work at Boston Market and we have latex gloves for handling raw foods...so basically everything gets touched with latex.

 

They are using latex???

 

Shame on them. NOT good.

[SRF]

I am a nurse, and most hospital gloves in my area are now latex free...I dont know about food service gloves, although most of them look like vinyl (they look loose on the servers hands..because they dont contain that elastic material)

Kiwi has been in my fruit and on my desserts in the past...but not recently.

 

I am a professional in occupational health and safety. CIH and CSP, if you know those.

 

It drove me NUTS how long it took the medical profession to get away from latex. Even though there were a numbers of severe sudden onset incidents, IN HOSPITALS, to health care workers.

 

Agree, most food service use vinyl, they are cheaper.

[Watson2018]

OP, do you react to almonds or plantains too? My latex allergy just causes mild skin irritation, but raw almonds (cooking destroys one of the allergens) or plantains turn me bright red and make me itch all over.

[dcgrumpy]

Knowing this, I would not go on a cruise, where access to land-based medical services is severely limited at times.

 

 

I have to agree. My daughter has multiple food allergies but they're all ingestion only. That sounds way too risky to me.

 

 

Isn't one of the flavored waters in the Windjammer kiwi/strawberry?

[Mikeandliz]

OP

 

https://stillaslife.com/food/royal-caribbeans-main-dining-room-menu-mojo-theme/

 

 

 

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[Mikeandliz]

I have traveled in the past with a latex allergy however it has gotten worse. I love to cruise, and I am just wondering if all ships serve kiwi on board. Kiwi is a latex based fruit and deadly for those with latex allergies. I want to go on another cruise but need to find a RCCL ship without kiwi, or balloons. My allergy is air bourne so just being in the area of latex based fruits is enough to go into shock.

 

 

 

Im am so sorry to hear of your allergy’s. But, i don’t know how you can avoid it. Especially in an enclosed environment. Cross contamination is your biggest threat, no matter how diligent you are. Its like driving, you can be the best driver. Its the other guy, you have to watch out for.

 

 

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[Ourusualbeach]

9 replies to a 7 year old post and the OP hasn’t posted on CC in 2 1/2 years.....Biker we need the graphic.

[Biker19]

[dcgrumpy]

9 replies to a 7 year old post and the OP hasn’t posted on CC in 2 1/2 years.....Biker we need the graphic.

Oh geez. I'm usually good at noticing these things. LOL

[cruisetaker7777]

The link to the latex friendly cruise clothing has changed to this link.

It was down for a while, but it's being updated if you need some 100% cotton clothing.

• Amazon Brand - Daily Ritual Women's Lived-in Cotton Sleeveless Maxi Dress $25
• Amazon Brand - Daily Ritual Women's Lived-in Cotton Short-Sleeve Crewneck Maxi Dress $26
• Rayon Floral Dresses Amazon Mulimia

Sale search examples:

• • Sale search Land's End "Supima"
    • Clearance search Land's End "Supima"
  • Sale search Land's End "Mens Supima"
    • Clearance search "Men's Supima"
  • Low to High price Land's End "Women's Supima"
  • L.L. Bean "Pima" search lowest to highest price
  • J. Jill low to high price "Pima" search
  • JCPenny low to high price 100% cotton search
  • Shein 100% rayon search or 100% rayon maxi dress or 100% rayon short dress shirt (you need to check materials listing.  Says whether it has stretch or not.)
  • Forever 21 sale search 100% rayon dresses
  • Old Navy 100 cotton search under $35
  • Chadwicks of Boston 100% cotton search lowest to highest price - scroll down for clearance color options.
  • Banana Republic women's 100 cotton search under $40
  • Banana Republic men's 100 cotton search under $40
  • Abercrombie & Fitch 100% cotton low to high (polo t-shirts)
  • Kim Rogers (Belks) has buy 1 get 1 free sales often, but you have to click on the item to see the materials.  I listed some under cardigans.
  • Aramark usually has a sale underway
  • Ohmygauze clearance sale items
  • Fairindigo 100% cotton low to high prices.

Edited July 24, 2019 by cruisetaker7777

[Thorben-Hendrik]

Wondering what happens when they had a lifestyle cruise before..... 🤔😳😇

[crystalspin]

I'm surprised no one mentioned figs. All Ficus plants (edible and ?decorative?) are related to rubber trees, source of latex. The sap from our edible fig shrub-tree, is permanent on any clothes it drips on. 

 

I did not know latex could get to the point of airborne particles so slight as recounted in this thread. Good PSA! even if it's a zombie thread.

[Snit13]

On 9/17/2018 at 9:33 PM, Ourusualbeach said:

9 replies to a 7 year old post and the OP hasn’t posted on CC in 2 1/2 years.....Biker we need the graphic.

But Ken, even though thread is old many of us learned some valuable information.  I have sensitivities to some foods but no severe reactions.  However, when it comes to medications I have many trips to emergency.  Scary in that antibiotics may be needed to save my life but some of them might kill me.

Grace

[Cru1s1ng2009]

43 minutes ago, Snit13 said:

But Ken, even though thread is old many of us learned some valuable information.  I have sensitivities to some foods but no severe reactions.  However, when it comes to medications I have many trips to emergency.  Scary in that antibiotics may be needed to save my life but some of them might kill me.

Grace

have you had Steven Johnson Syndrome?