When working with liquid latex, you will need to use it in a well-ventilated room, as it has ammonia. It's not to be used around the eyes. *READ THE LABEL BEFORE YOU USE IT!*

If a costume or other shop has latex testers, do *NOT* use them. They are not set up for the allergy reactions that could happen. It only takes a short time for anaphylactic shock to kill. The shop is opening themselves up to a lawsuit if something happens to the person.

The fee charged by the doctor is the cheapest thing compared to the full-blown anaphylactic shock of a severe reaction. That means that you are there at the office and can be treated immediately on the spot, rather than waiting for an ambulance or someone transporting you to the hospital, which can take time with the possibility of you being dead on arrival.

Here's a site on latex allergies (http://www.worldwidewounds.com/2001/october/Phillips/EC-expert-committee-on-latex-allergy.html). Shows the medical side, severity of the allergies, and what do to prevent them.

Allergic reactions and anaphylaxis information - http://www.allergic-reactions.com/home/causes_latex.html

Latex allergy links - VERY good site! - http://www.latexallergylinks.org/

Allergy Internet Resources - GREAT SITE! - http://www.immune.com/allergy/allabc.html

Three alternatives to latex from the WebMD magazine;
- vinyl
- nitrile rubber
- natural rubber