Last Friday night, ABC-TV's 20/20 focused upon the increasing and potentially 
life-threatening problems for those people who are developing allergies to 
latex rubber. The story included an interview with Dr. Elizabeth Borrel, a 
dentist who (like an increasing number of professionals in the medical field) 
has had to give up her career because of the severe reactions she has 
experienced. 
 
Symptoms of latex allergic reactions can range from hives and itching to a 
serious condition called anaphylactic shock, a life-threatening reaction that 
causes the throat to swell up, hindering breathing.
  
Latex sensitivity also has become common among children with spina bifida, 
because of their exposure to latex gloves in multiple surgeries
 
Dr. Borrel is also the Executive Director of ELASTIC (Education Latex Allergy 
Support Team & Information Coalition), the national non-profit self-help 
support group she helped to found.  The next meeting of the New Jersey 
Chapter meeting of ELASTIC will feature Dr. Borrel, and also Kathleen 
Zarnosky, RN (founder of the NJ group). It will be held on Sunday, April 6, 
1997 from 1 to 4 PM, at the Summit Bank Conference Center in Jamesburg, NJ 
(close to NJ Turnpike exit 8A). Pre-registration is REQUIRED. To attend the 
meeting, register by March 30 by sending e-mail, explaining nature of your 
interest and number of people who will be attending, to JZAR888@aol.com
 
For more information on ELASTIC groups outside the NJ area, send email to: 
102246.126@compuserve.com     or to 
ecbdmd@1.netcom.com                 or go to their web site at
http://www.latexallergyhelp.com 
--- Maximus/2 2.01wb
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