Allergic Reaction To Elastoplast

[dartagnon]

During the intermission at a concert in a local hall a woman in her mid/late 50's asked a member of staff if she could have an Elastoplast as she had a small cut on her finger. The staff member duly fetched the First Aid Kit and as she was about to give her the Elastoplast, her supervisor appeared and told her she wasn't allowed to do that "in case the woman has an allergic reaction and DIES". The woman pointed out that she's been using them for half a century without any adverse reaction, and anyway why do you have them in the First Aid Kit if you're not allowed to give them out.
Supervisor couldn't answer but told the subordinate to lock the kit away.

My question is - Has anyone ever died from a reaction to an Elastoplast and what do you think of the above scenario?

[Prudie]

The above scenario is common these days, but like teachers not being allowed to give pupils sun cream. It's all because of the risk of being sued.

[jourdain2]

Haven't a clue as to if anyone has died from Elastoplast - seems a rather odd outcome to me - but the last time I used elastoplast it took nearly 2 months to eradicate the allergic skin response. The original wound had healed 2 weeks before!

The supervisor was watching her back!

[jno]

a quick google suggests that yes, some people are allergic to it. I can't see any reference to deaths, though.

[FrogNog]

I recently renewed my first aid course and the current training is that adults will know if they are allergic to plasters and they are allowed to take them for small cuts without informing me.

[Baldric]

We have to keep a pack of 'non-allergic' plasters for my wife, she is very much allergic to Elastoplast, has a very bad reaction, but only for last 6 maybe 8 years or so!

[SirOracle]

Baldric Just to satisfy my curiosity may I ask if your wife is also allergic to penicillin.

I know of three people who are allergic to both penicillin and elastoplasts.

[Buenchico]

People who are allergic to colophony (which is used in Elastoplast adhesive) will develop contact dermatitis (See Fig. 2 here: http://www.allergy-clinic.co.uk/documents/medical-articles/Contact-Dermatitis-CACI-2004.pdf ). They should also take care to avoid many other products:
http://www.bedfordhospital.nhs.uk/upload_folder/patient%20information/allergy%20to%20colophony.pdf

I've never heard of it resulting in anaphylaxis (which is the potentially lethal shock that other allergens, e.g. wasp stings or peanuts, can cause in some people). Further, googling seems to find no link between the two.

I've been in charge of first aid in a comprehensive school for many years (and duty first aider at a railway station, and several other places, in later years) and I've always been happy simply to ask the person whether they're allergic to sticking plasters or not. (I'd probably use a couple of dozen plasters most weeks at school and I can't recall killing any of the kids through doing so!)

[jno]

tempted though you may have been, Chris...

[Old_Geezer]

Well... I was told that people who get plastered often end up in A&E.

[Sqad]

Buenchico says it all.

Maybe...contact allergy but that is not life threatening,

[grasscarp]

At London Zoo last Sunday I asked first aid post for a plaster for my daughter who was not with me at that moment. She gave me 2 and an antiseptic wipe immediately. No questions asked. I have never asked anyone if allergic though I have been qualified first aider many years. On second day of a refresher course today so will see what instructor says about this.

[follyfancier]

SirOracle I am allergic to both