[Latex allergy]

In 1979 the first case of contact urticaria to rubber gloves was reported in a patient with a positive skin prick test to latex. The use of articles containing rubber is widespread and this can explain the increasing frequency of allergic reactions to natural rubber latex. The symptoms may be localized like contact urticaria or systemic like angioedema, generalized urticaria or anaphylactic shock. In this study we have considered 12 patients who presented clinical manifestations after direct contact with objects containing rubber. Three patients had eczema and pruritus after the use of household gloves, 4 subjects had lips and tongue oedema following the contact with rubber tube during a dental treatment, 5 patients suffered from urticaria and pruritus during the use of surgical gloves. Generalized angioedema was also present in 4 out of 12 patients. All the patients had positive Skin prick test and Rast to latex. Three out of 12 patients were atopic. Our study confirms the increasing frequency of immediate hypersensitivity reactions to latex. This phenomenon must be taken into account especially before surgery, since severe clinical manifestations such as anaphylactic shock may occur.