As if DD needed one more thing on her plate...latex allergy (help!)

[Schmeck]

They've gotten rid of the latex balloons again? There were posts here a while back about the latex balloons being sold in the parks.

 

[mellers]

I also have an 11 year old daughter with high functioning autism, so I sympathize. Our daughter doesn't have a latex allergy, but she has terrible eczema so we sometimes have to be careful with laundry detergents, etc.

I think you've covered the bases, but I'd ask your doctor about the epi pen.

 

[mrmagicmph]

They've gotten rid of the latex balloons again? There were posts here a while back about the latex balloons being sold in the parks.

All I can tell you for certain is that's what they said in the email. I'm heading down to WL in 23 days, 11.5 hrs, but who's counting and I'll let people know what I see for myself upon my return.

Enjoy the Magic!

 

[gamomof2]

our daughter was initially latex sensitive. finally last year we had the IgE blood test done which thankfully was negative. a true latex allergy is a life altering thing. we found out that most generic finger paints and crayons have latex. Crayola makes the only latex free products (our BOE shelled out good money for her class to have name brand paint and crayons). There is latex in most carpet, in the plastic seats the children sit on and in the rubber stoppers that are on the feet of the tables. Most shirt arms have latex in the bindings, most underwear has latex in the elastic. We are cautious to limit her exposure to latex but thankfully we now know - symptoms or not - that she doesn't have this allergy.

 

[Schmeck]

Be aware that there is natural latex and synthetic latex. Isn't it only the natural latex that causes the reaction? Not that anyone should take any chances, but, for example, latex paint is made with synthetic latex.

There's a thread about Wendy/Peter Pan running around EPCOT, and they have latex balloon swords. Don't know how old the video on youtube is, though...

 

[jamesmommy]

Do they make mylar balloons that are clear? I know they still sell the mickey ear balloons inside the clear balloon. I saw them at the park yesterday. I assumed they were latex, but I admit I am not experienced with latex alternatives.

Also, when typing out this post I went looking to see what the above balloons are made of (I couldn't find anything), I saw a post on allears reminding folks that the "washcloth" figures Mousekeeping sometimes leave usually contain at least one rubberband, so that could be a potential problem too.

 

[icelady]

I too wrote to Brenda Bennet after reading about the balloons and this is what she said,"I talked to Dave Johnson from Rubio Arts and we do still sell the balloons she mentions below, the latex ones inside the clear plastic bubble. He told me the reason they put them in the clear plastic bubbles is to protect people who have latex allergies....I didn't know that. He did say that the company they puchase the balloons from have a process where they cook them for a period of time in hot water to drive out the proteins so they aren't as potent as other latex balloons which do not go through that process. Hopes this helps,Brenda"


Now I know the clear bubble is not plastic but apparently a latex balloon that has been cooked. The less proteins the less of a reaction but to me latex is latex and need to be avoided when you have a life threatening allergy. I am glad to see that they are attempting to lessen the amt of latex but if seated in an enclosed area such as a bus or restaurant, I personally don't want to be seated near one due to the exposure. This answer I received was very helpful and I am thankful that someone was willing to look into the question.

Paulette

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I too wrote to Brenda Bennet after reading about the balloons and this is what she said,"I talked to Dave Johnson from Rubio Arts and we do still sell the balloons she mentions below, the latex ones inside the clear plastic bubble. He told me the reason they put them in the clear plastic bubbles is to protect people who have latex allergies....I didn't know that. He did say that the company they puchase the balloons from have a process where they cook them for a period of time in hot water to drive out the proteins so they aren't as potent as other latex balloons which do not go through that process. Hopes this helps,Brenda"


Now I know the clear bubble is not plastic but apparently a latex balloon that has been cooked. The less proteins the less of a reaction but to me latex is latex and need to be avoided when you have a life threatening allergy. I am glad to see that they are attempting to lessen the amt of latex but if seated in an enclosed area such as a bus or restaurant, I personally don't want to be seated near one due to the exposure. This answer I received was very helpful and I am thankful that someone was willing to look into the question.

Paulette

Based on what you said in paragraph one, your comments in paragraph two appear to indicate you are still confused.

In the double balloons, the inside one (the Mickey with Ears, for example) is "cooked" latex. The outer (clear) bubble is plastic. So contact with the outer balloon is safe. The only problem may be if the outer balloon bursts and then the inner balloon is the latex one.

 

[hematite153]

I too wrote to Brenda Bennet after reading about the balloons and this is what she said,"I talked to Dave Johnson from Rubio Arts and we do still sell the balloons she mentions below, the latex ones inside the clear plastic bubble. He told me the reason they put them in the clear plastic bubbles is to protect people who have latex allergies....I didn't know that. He did say that the company they puchase the balloons from have a process where they cook them for a period of time in hot water to drive out the proteins so they aren't as potent as other latex balloons which do not go through that process. Hopes this helps,Brenda"


Now I know the clear bubble is not plastic but apparently a latex balloon that has been cooked. The less proteins the less of a reaction but to me latex is latex and need to be avoided when you have a life threatening allergy. I am glad to see that they are attempting to lessen the amt of latex but if seated in an enclosed area such as a bus or restaurant, I personally don't want to be seated near one due to the exposure. This answer I received was very helpful and I am thankful that someone was willing to look into the question.

Paulette

My interpretation of Brenda's information was different from yours. I thought she was saying that the balloon INSIDE the plastic bubble was the cooked latex and that the plastic bubble was not latex, but rather a type of plastic in order to protect people with latex allergies from the balloon inside it.

Hmmn...I cannot even picture these balloons at the moment so I don't know if one interpretation should be obvious over the other. But, I do know that I won't go near food cooked on a grill that has chicken cooked on it. (I get really scared when I tell people that I'm allergic and they say, "don't worry, we'll cook it over here in a clean spot" and I can actually see the chicken just inches away.) So, I can certainly understand your concerns about riding a bus with latex balloons.

 

[hematite153]

In the double balloons, the inside one (the Mickey with Ears, for example) is "cooked" latex. The outer (clear) bubble is plastic. So contact with the outer balloon is safe. The only problem may be if the outer balloon bursts and then the inner balloon is the latex one.

Ah ha! Someone who knows. Thanks Cheshire!

 

[icelady]

I took it to mean that the outside ballon has been cooked to reduce the latex proteins from the latex balloon inside. The outside is not plastic but a latex balloon from what I understand. I am not trying to argue but just stating how I took the email. I know this can be a sticky subject and do not want to post anything to start a problem. Paulette

 

[mrmagicmph]

I'll be going down to WDW in 16 days, 11 hrs or so. I'll plan to email Brenda for more information, including, if possible, if there's someone down there in person I can get better information about the latex balloon issue from. I suffer from a Type I latex allergy and have had to become a fair "expert" on the issue, for various reasons. So, the best I can offer is that I'll try to look into it further and report back to everyone here.

Enjoy the Magic!

 

[graygables]

Just left WDW today. We purchased a balloon and it is plastic outside/latex inside. I did ask and the CM assured me that the outside is latex free. It has a hard seam on the sides which would indicate to me that it is, indeed, plastic. DD is fine with it.

She was, however, VERY upset (as was her 8yo sister) that there were TONS of super-fun balloon animals lined up at OKW and they couldn't have any of them.

 

[mrmagicmph]

I also got a reply from Disney today to my inquiry about the balloon within the balloon that we've all been talking about lately. They followed up directly with the balloon vendor (& I have appropriate follow-up emails if needed if anyone else has any questions) who clearly says that the outer balloon is indeed plastic & completely latex-free. The inner balloon is a latex balloon. The inner balloon is "cooked for a certain amount of time to remove some of the potency of the latex."

Hope this is helpful. If anyone needs any other questions answered regarding latex balloons as Disney, let me know, I'll be happy to follow up with the vendor directly if desired.

Enjoy the Magic & stay safe!

 

[icelady]

Thank you for the follow up on the balloon. I misunderstood the post and am glad that I was corrected. I am really impressed that the outside is plastic and again thank you for the follow up. Paulette

 

[Schmeck]

Now, they just have to be careful when inflating the latex balloon inside the plastic one, so that they don't touch the outside of the plastic with hands that have be handling the latex balloon.

 

[mrmagicmph]

Thank you for the follow up on the balloon. I misunderstood the post and am glad that I was corrected. I am really impressed that the outside is plastic and again thank you for the follow up. Paulette

Always happy to help!

Now, they just have to be careful when inflating the latex balloon inside the plastic one, so that they don't touch the outside of the plastic with hands that have be handling the latex balloon.

True enough. Still, it's better than "average", though not perfect, yes.

Enjoy the Magic!

 

[momof2n2]

I'd get an epi pen.
I've had a ton of them for DS#1 and never used them for his allergies, Praise the LORD, but I'd rather have it and not need it than the alternative.

I'm sorry for your little girl.