Keeping a First Aid Kit for Your Latex-Sensitive Child

I am not a medical professional. The information I share is meant to supplement the information given you by your doctor. If you feel your doctor is not doing enough for you or not willing to listen to your concerns, I strongly encourage you to take what you've learned here and get a second opinion.

Your child should be wearing a medical alert band or bracelet.

I have found that anytime my a medical professional sees my child, they always ask about his medical band right away. If there is ever a time your child is not with you, you want to be certain health-care professionals know about this allergy.-

Many people have the misconception that medic ID bands are not cool. Not true! These are not the bands and bracelets of yesteryear. If you are looking for a children's medic-alert band that your child will not mind wearing, check out my page on Kid's Medic-Alert Bands and check out all the great styles.

You should keep a kit on hand for yourself and one for your child's school.

I have found that school nurses in general are pretty up on latex allergy. Often they have latex-free bandages and band aids as well as latex-free gloves.

I always like to put together my own care kit to leave in the office just in case.

Before making your first-aid kit, make certain each item is latex free. If it doesn't say it is latex free, contact the manufacturer to find out. We are frequently contacting companies and have found that when some products are not latex free, some companies will send a free alternative!

Here is a basic list. You may decide to build upon this kit but each kit should have these four basics:

Latex-Free BandAids - various sizes. I prefer NexCare bandages. The wrappers say the bandages are latex free and yes, regular Band Aids contain latex.

Disposable Vinyl Latex-Free Gloves These can be found in any drug store and many grocery stores. I choose to buy larger gloves. I'd rather have them too big than too small and unusable.

Epi-Pen* If your allergist has you carrying an Epi-Pen for your child, leave an extra one in this kit for the school nurse. Remember, your Epi-Pen does not have a long shelf life so keep an eye on that expiration date Also, keep your Epi-Pen out of the heat and hot sun as it can lose its effectiveness.

Benadryl I find the fast dissolving strips are the quickest way to get the Benadryl in my son's system if he has been exposed to latex. The Benadryl slows the reaction and gives us time to get to the hospital.

* Please, remember, Epi-pens only have a shelf life of about a year and a half. Also, keep them out of the sun and away from heat.

Some parents choose just a basic kit. Some parents choose to add quite a bit more to their kit. Discuss with your Allergist what your kit should contain and build from there.

Some parents choose to include a variety of medical supplies just in case they run into an EMT or physician who is not latex aware.

Some additional items you may choose to purchase:

Latex-free wrap
Latex-free dressings
Latex-free adhesive tape
Latex-free tourniquet
Latex-free stethoscope
Latex-free blood pressure kit
Hydrocortisone
Alcohol wipes

You may choose to add even more to your kit. I've found that every person I've met with latex-allergy varies as far as the severity of the reaction as well as how the reaction presents itself. You or your child may need less or more of these types of products.

My Son's Latex Allergy
- At the age of nine, our son developed a very serious allergy to latex
Overcoming Peanut Allergy
- At the age of six, my daughter had her very first bite of peanut butter!
Keeping a First Aid Kit for Your Latex-Sensitive Child
- Need help figuring out what you might need on hand for your child's allergy?
Kid's Medic Alert Bands
- Some help finding a cool medic alert band for your child.