LAAW Webinars Announced
The American Latex Allergy Association and the Allergy & Astma Network announces the 2015 Latex Allergy Awareness Week Webinars
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Contact: Gary Fitzgerald
Allergy & Asthma Network
703-641-9595
gfitzgerald@aanma.org
For Immediate Release
Patient Advocacy Organizations Host
Free Webinars on Latex Allergy
Tuesday, October 6 at 7 p.m. ET
Wednesday, October 7 at 7 p.m. ET
VIENNA, Va., August 12, 2015 -- Allergy & Asthma Network and the American Latex Allergy Association (ALAA) offer two free webinars in observance of Latex Allergy Awareness Week, October 4-10, 2015.
“These webinars will be eye-opening,” says Sandra Gawchik, DO, board-certified allergist with Allergy & Asthma Associates, medical advisory board member of the American Latex Allergy Association, and an Anaphylaxis Community Expert in Upland, Pennsylvania. “There are more than 40,000 latex-containing products available worldwide, and the more you are exposed to latex, the greater chance you have of developing an allergy to it. This year’s theme, ‘Be Aware...Latex Can Be Everywhere’ is essential for raising awareness.”
Latex allergies impact 10-17 percent of healthcare workers and up to 6 percent of the U.S. general population, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). In addition, 68 percent of children with spina bifida have latex allergy. Symptoms range from mild skin irritation to life-threatening anaphylaxis, and there’s no way to predict which will occur when exposed. The only treatment is to avoid contact with latex, which is found in many everyday items, from gloves used in healthcare and food preparation, to latex balloons, exercise therapy bands, swimming caps and rubber bands.
The first Latex Allergy Awareness Month webinar, “Be Aware: Latex Allergy Anaphylaxis Is Still Here,” will provide an overview of latex allergy, natural rubber latex products, and the importance of avoidance and education. Presented by Dr. Gawchik, it will be held on Tuesday, October 6 at 7 p.m. ET.
The second webinar, “The Why Behind Latex Allergy and Cross-Reactive Food,” will look at how some fruits and vegetables can trigger an allergic reaction in people with latex allergy. Presented by Thomas Grier, PhD, Senior Research Scientist and Director of Allergen Development at Greer Labs in Lenoir, North Carolina, it will be held on Wednesday, October 7 at 7 p.m. ET.
‘Increasing awareness and understanding of latex allergy is the first step in being prepared for a reaction,” says Dr. Gawchik. “If you have symptoms, it’s essential to obtain an accurate diagnosis from a board-certified allergist.”
To register for these webinars, visit:
The “2015 Latex Allergy Awareness Week” Webinar Series, a joint project of Allergy & Asthma Network and the American Latex Allergy Association, is sponsored by Mylan Specialty L.P.
About Allergy & Asthma Network
Allergy & Asthma Network is the leading national nonprofit organization dedicated to ending needless death and suffering due to asthma, allergies and related conditions. Allergy & Asthma Network specializes in sharing family-friendly, medically accurate information through its award-winning Allergy & Asthma Today magazine, E-newsletter, website at http://www.AllergyAsthmaNetwork.org and numerous community outreach programs. Follow Allergy & Asthma Network on facebook.com/AllergyAsthmaHQ and twitter.com/AllergyAsthmaHQ.
About ALAA
The American Latex Allergy Association is the leading national nonprofit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization whose mission is to create awareness of latex allergy through education and provide support to individuals who have been diagnosed with latex allergy. ALAA has an extensive educational website: http://www.latexallergyresources.org. Follow ALAA on Facebook at American Latex Allergy Association (ALAA) and on Twitter at twitter.com/latexallergyorg.
About ACE
The Anaphylaxis Community Experts (ACE) program was developed by Allergy & Asthma Network in partnership with the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI), National Association of School Nurses (NASN) and American School Health Association and is sponsored by Mylan Specialty L.P. The program goal is to save lives through showing parents, school staff, emergency responders, and others how to recognize and respond immediately to anaphylaxis symptoms.
To learn more about the ACE program or request an ACE team presentation, email ace@aanma.org.
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