Mark Weinreb: Latex allergy should be treated similar to peanut butter

To The Daily Sun,

My wife almost died going to our granddaughter’s graduation at Laconia Middle School the other day. My wife has a severe latex allergy and was almost exposed to the latex balloons (the common cheapest type of party balloon) if she had entered the school building.

Her latex balloon allergy is so severe that a few years ago she was working at a nursing home when during a birthday party she was exposed to the balloons, and her coworkers had to bring her across the street to the hospital emergency room. She needed IV Benadryl and steroids to get better. She can’t even go near car dealerships because most of them advertise their new cars with latex balloons.

Now I understand that most people don’t think that latex balloon allergy is that common, but the incidence is similar to peanut allergies in the population. It is very common among the healthcare community (up to 30%). I doubt that the school would serve peanut snacks during this event or of it did, there would be warning signs at the front door stating "Beware. Peanut snacks inside.”

The other choice would be that a few Mylar balloons could be strategically placed. Mylar balloons do not trigger the allergic response that latex balloons do.

Thanks, Laconia school officials, for looking into this issue.

Mark Weinreb

Laconia