Latex??

Message

#1 Post by **purpleteeth** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 8:55 am

I have a history of latex sensitivity on my arms with bandaids, meaning they burn my skin. Soooo.... I have the ortho and assistants all use LATEX FREE GLOVES, yet I am still using latex elastics - but show few problems.

- How common is it to have latex sensitivity in some areas of your body, but not all?
- Do some of you use latex elastics, yet still show other signs of sensitivity... so everyone wears latex free gloves and other supplies?

I have heard latex problems with elastics is actually not very common, despite having a latex sensitivity - hence why I have no problem with the elastics/ have minimal problems with the elastics. Is this true?

#2 Post by **purpleteeth** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 9:33 am

The elastics bother me, meaning they itch sometimes and other times cause my mouth to skuff up... but I tolerate them so-so. I just can't have latex on my arms or other areas, so they are being a little more cautious with the gloves around my mouth and in my mouth --- does this make any sense or is this even possible??

#3 Post by **purpleteeth** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 8:29 pm

So, my question really hasn't been answered just yet. I know in some areas, I have what appears to be dermatitus (however you spell it)... but yet I can handle the elastics in my mouth without much trouble. I really think the gloves in the office are being used as a precaution more than anything, if that makes any sense?

I am worried that the constant use of elastics will make my sensitivity worse. My hands are fine when handling the elastics and most of my mouth seems to tolerate the elastics (just the front part - lips, gums, mouth tissue - get bothered when they are tied to my front couple teeth)

Does anyone out here on the boards have trouble with latex to some degree, yet can handle the latex elastics?

Don't latex gloves also have a power that can cause problems for some people too?

#4 Post by **purpleteeth** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 4:18 am

I guess I'm just curious... and as far as I am concerned, the less access I have to latex materials the healthier I will be. I have had a lot of dental work done and orthodontics has put me at increased exposure.

I have also had quite a few injuries in the past that left me using latex type products on a regular basis with bandages and such, so I do
consider myself having a large history of exposure to latex.

To be frank, I just like to protect myself. If my elastics don't bother me, then I will continue to use the ones with latex --- but asking my ortho to use latex free gloves doesn't hurt anyone and it just continues to limit my direct exposure to something I have had reactions to in the past (on my skin).

#5 Post by **TumbleDryLow** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 7:13 am

Being a blue eyed redhead, a few years ago I had 2 questionable freckles removed from my arm. I needed to keep the surgery sites covered for 2 weeks and I just used regular latex band aids as they were convenient. After about 5 days I had angry red (but not itchy) areas where the latex was touching my skin. I had never had this reaction before, but then again, I had also never worn band aids 24/7 for that long. I ended up switching to non-latex products for the rest of the recovery time and had no further issues. It took a long while before those red marks cleared though.

I do not, however, seem to have any issues with medical latex gloves. (I cannot speak to rubber bands because I'm not there yet with my treatment, but they are in my future. I'll need to remember this post and report back.)

Then again, perhaps the reaction on my arm was something other than a reaction to latex? Or perhaps I only have a reaction to prolonged contact. Maybe it was simply a reaction to the glue, or the fact those areas couldn't "breath". To this day, I'm still not sure it was a true allergy.

You say that your mouth does itch sometimes from elastics. That to me would indicate at least a mild sensitivity to latex. As you said, the less exposure to a possible allergen, the better.

#6 Post by **rolo** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 7:17 am

If you are concerned that your elastics will worsen your latex sensitivity could you ask your ortho if you could have latex free elastics and maybe whether there are any treatment disadvantages in doing this?

#7 Post by **Miss Smiley** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 12:26 am

I have an odd thing going on with allergies and dermatitis. I can not tolerate latex bandages or medical tape, they make me blister under the areas and my skin just gets stuck and peels off when it is removed. I had a reaction with my turquoise powerchains and am still unsure if it was the dye or just that batch of chains. I have had the clear silicone chains afterwards and no problems. When I started with elastics, I didn't think it would really affect me or that I would be able to tolerate them since many people do. Well, after a month of using them, the latex ones were shredding my mouth and giving me some odd rashes along my gums along with some major dry mouth which made my gums peel too..... It was gross. My ortho ordered me some GAC non-latex ones and I've been managing well with those. I also have nickel sensitivity, which means I can't wear any plated costume jewelry and cute jewelry from the little boutiques. But for some odd reason, my mouth is able to tolerate the molar band, wires and metal brackets. I don't bug my ortho about wearing non-latex gloves since they're in and out of my mouth pretty quickly and I'm usually able rinse before I head out. I'm just a big walking mess.

#8 Post by **kaycee** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 11:37 am

I wear non-latex elastics, and Meryaten is correct, they stretch out very quickly (within hours) versus the latex which seem to hold their shape all day.

Sugar will cause a non-latex elastic to break - there a chemical reaction that occurs between simple sugars and non-latex that causes the non-latex to break down. I know if I try to eat candy with my elastics in, they will snap in a matter of minutes and it seems like chocolate is the worst offender. All last winter, they were snapping on me and I thought it was because I like my tea very hot, but it was actually the sugar.

A friend of mine (with braces) works for a large chocolate company and she once explained it to me. I don't think she wears non-latex elastics to work.

kaycee

#9 Post by **kaycee** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 4:57 pm

Meryaten -

I didn't say I have a chocolate-free existence, I just said the elastics snap. In fact, they snap every afternoon at about 3 o'clock!

kaycee

#10 Post by **kaycee** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 5:02 pm

Meryaten -

I didn't say I have a chocolate-free existence, I just said the elastics snap. In fact, they snap every afternoon at about 3 o'clock!

kaycee

#11 Post by **leftyme** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 12:41 pm

I definitely have a latex sensitivity with other things in my life but I'm not having a problem with the latex elastics. I got both kinds and I prefer the non latex, so maybe the latex are giving me a bit of trouble but nothing that bad.

Also, I can't wear earrings that aren't gold but the metal in my mouth isn't bothering me either.

#12 Post by **purpleteeth** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 5:52 am

I suppose it is all a delicate balancing act between you, your ortho, and your body. We can become our best advocates. Only we can tell them if something is wrong and ask for alternatives to treatment or even for a compromise.

Latex sensitivity really does sound more complicated than people make it out to be -- and I guess it doesn't apply in all areas of our lives, like some of us can't handle the gloves while we can handle the elastics and others can't handle bandaids but can handle everything else.

We just have to remember that latex sensitivity CAN develop with increased exposure.

#13 Post by **leftyme** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 9:59 pm

purpleteeth wrote:We just have to remember that latex sensitivity CAN develop with increased exposure.

I figured this out. I spoke too soon in my last post to this thread. My cheek was raw the other night and totally fine once I switched to my non latex elastic.

#14 Post by **Miss Smiley** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 2:47 am

leftyme wrote:
purpleteeth wrote:We just have to remember that latex sensitivity CAN develop with increased exposure.
I figured this out. I spoke too soon in my last post to this thread. My cheek was raw the other night and totally fine once I switched to my non latex elastic.

Indeed, I realized I couldn't hack the tiny latex elastics too. I tried to bear with it until his order of non-latex ones came in but we had to forgo the elastics as my mouth just couldn't take it any longer. Once the non latex ones came in, I knew I was in for a treat. I think I'll be stuck with them until the end.

#15 Post by **landela** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 2:50 pm

I think I may be having an allerigic reaction to my elastics. I just got elastics on Tues (August 26) and after a few hours I noticed the inside of the right side of my cheeck was kind of irritated, but I figured that was just part of having elastics. Yesterday I noticed it was even worse. Then in the middle of the night I kept waking up because I was in so much pain from the elastics. I finally decided to take them out and noticied that the left side of the inside of my cheek was getting irritated as well. I gave the ortho a call and he said to leave them out for a few days, then once the irritation is gone to put them back in.
My question is, how do I know if it is just irritation or an allergic reaction to latex? It felt like 3-4 little bumps/blisters, and it was starting to be rubbed raw. Now that I've taken the elastics out my cheeks feel a lot better. I've never had a reaction to latex before, so that is why my ortho was wary about giving me latex free elastics.
Any advice would be appreciated.