For persons hypersensitive to
latex, continued exposure may result in a life-threatening situation. Since 1979 reports appeared supporting evidence of
urticaria,
rhinitis,
asthma, and
anaphylaxis in association with
latex exposure. We present two cases of
latex hypersensitivity, patients who reacted to
latex on skin-prick and radioallergosorbent tests (RAST). A 30-year-old surgeon developed reactions to
latex gloves. On skin-prick testing to
latex extract in saline, he was 4+. RAST
latex antigen-specific
IgE was 50.75 times control. The second case is that of a 24-year-old nurse who underwent multiple corrective surgeries for congenital
birth defects and experienced reactions to
latex. On skin-prick testing to an extract of
latex in saline, she was 2+. RAST
latex antigen-specific
IgE was 23.37 times control. Both patients were given
epinephrine and
diphenhydramine and advised to use
latex-free gloves and to avoid
latex products. As health care personnel contact with
latex products increases because of new guidelines for the prevention of
sexually transmitted diseases, more adverse reactions in this subpopulation will occur.