The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has cleared for marketing the first device made from a new form of natural rubber latex, guayule latex. The product, the Yulex Patient Examination Glove, is derived from the guayule bush, a desert plant native to the Southwestern United States.

Traditional latex gloves are made from the milky sap of a rubber tree, Hevea braziliensis. The sap contains a protein that may trigger allergic reactions, especially after prolonged and repeated contact. Sensitized people may experience mild reactions such as skin redness, rash, hives, or itching. More severe reactions may include respiratory symptoms such as difficulty breathing, coughing spells and wheezing. Rarely, shock may occur.

Estimates vary, but anywhere from 3 percent to 22 percent of all health care workers are sensitized to traditional latex.

St. Luke's installs huge hyperbaric chamber

Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center in Milwaukee is installing the second-largest hyperbaric chamber in the nation. The new chamber will triple the hospital's capacity to treat patients with hyperbaric oxygen therapy and improve its regional wound care services. The 52-foot-long, 66-ton chamber will be able to treat up to 24 patients at one time. The chamber was put into place today after being lifted by a huge crane and placed into the basement of St. Luke's through a 1,100-square-foot hole. Hyperbaric chambers are primarily used to help treat difficult wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers, but also are used for carbon monoxide poisoning and several other medical conditions. During hyperbaric treatment, patients breathe 100 percent oxygen in a pressurized chamber. The increased oxygen in the blood stimulates small blood vessel and skin growth and helps fight infection.

And skin care to go

Babor, a maker of botanical skin-care products, has introduced a line of travel sets that are appropriate for men and women. The gels, creams, liquids and lotions come in sturdy containers in small sizes that meet federal security regulations for carry-on items (less than 3 ounces). Sets range from an Anti-Jet-Lag Flight Set with skin cream and eye fluids that tackle the dry air aloft, to a hypoallergenic Calming Sensitive Travel Set (above), which contains day cream, night cream, eye fluid and cleansing liquids that are particularly gentle to easily irritated skin. Makes a nice bon voyage gift. The Anti-Jet-Lag Flight Set is $15; Calming Sensitive Travel Set, $45, at www.babor.com; 1-888-222-6791. - Judi Dash .

Revolutionary New Water Care Product Makes Water Balancing Easy, Saves Time, and Softens Skin for Hot Tub Soakers ...

Hot tub soakers who have hesitated about taking long soaks for fear of drying their skin are splish-splashing in celebration, thanks to the introduction of a revolutionary water care product called SilkBalance® for Spas at the Olympic Hot Tub e-Store http://olympichottub.stores.yahoo.net/). It softens skin while soaking and keeps the water balance in perfect harmony. .

Save Your World(TM) All-Natural, Yerba Maté-Infused Personal Care Products Available at The Vitamin Shoppe

Save Your World(TM) (http://www.saveyourworld.com) announced today that Vitamin Shoppe, a leading specialty retailer and direct marketer of nutritional products, has launched yerba maté-infused Save Your Hair(TM) Rainforest, Oasis Fruit, and Regal Blossom Shampoo and Conditioner nationwide in all its locations outside of New York City.

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