"School Safety Guidelines For Latex-Allergic Students" 2ND Edition
In response to
numerous queries from schools, the American Latex Allergy
Association has released
the 2nd Edition of the resource manual titled
"School Safety Guidelines For Latex-Allergic
Students." This 91-page
manual contains resources to educate and assist school personnel
as they
strive to create a latex-safe learning environment.
Natural rubber latex is produced from the sap of the Malaysian rubber
tree, Hevea
brasiliensis, and is a component in over 40,000 medical and
household products. Some
individuals who have repeated exposure can
develop an allergic response to the proteins
in natural rubber latex,
resulting in symptoms ranging from mild to life threatening.
Symptoms of
natural rubber latex allergy can include skin rashes, nasal congestion,
itchy
or teary eyes, facial swelling, chest tightness, and/or breathing
difficulty. Individuals
with a severe natural rubber latex allergy can
experience anaphylaxis, a potentially
fatal allergic response.
Certain students are at higher risk for developing latex allergy,
including those
with a history of other allergies (atopy); a history of
Spina Bifida; a history of
frequent urogenital surgeries and/or
catheterizations; a history of other frequent
surgeries; and a history
of certain food allergies, such as banana, kiwi, avocado,
chestnut,
passion fruit, celery, and melon. The medical community uses
preventative
latex precautions when treating these students, and
latex-safe protocols should be
used in the school environment, even if
symptoms are not present, in order to prevent
the development of a latex
allergy.
"School Safety Guidelines For Latex-Allergic Students" contains
information about
the prevalence and risk factors for latex allergy;
suggested guidelines for creating
a latex-safe school; sample school
policies and forms; state and national legislation;
position statements
from the National Association of School Nurses and the American
Academy
of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology; a latex-free school alternative
products list
and other product resources; and educational articles.
The cost is $45.00 per manual.
Log
onto www.latexallergyresources.org to purchase a copy.
