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Patch testing with natural rubber latex: the Mayo Clinic experience.
Margo J Bendewald1, Sara A Farmer, Mark D P Davis
1Department of Dermatology and Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Dermatitis : Contact, Atopic, Occupational, Drug
|December 15, 2010
Summary
Natural rubber latex (NRL) can cause allergic contact dermatitis. Patch testing of patients suspected of NRL allergy showed a 2.0% reaction rate, indicating NRL is a common allergen.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Allergology
- Contact Dermatitis
Background:
- Delayed hypersensitivity reactions to natural rubber latex (NRL) are recognized.
- These reactions can manifest as allergic contact dermatitis.
- NRL allergy is a significant concern in patients with suspected rubber allergy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the results of patch testing with NRL.
- To assess the prevalence of allergic reactions to NRL in a clinical setting.
- To evaluate NRL as a potential cause of allergic contact dermatitis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of patients suspected of rubber-allergic contact dermatitis.
- Patch testing with NRL was performed on eligible patients.
- Patients with immediate hypersensitivity to NRL were excluded for safety.
Main Results:
- 148 patients underwent patch testing with NRL.
- A 2.0% (3 out of 148) allergic patch-test reaction rate was observed.
- This indicates a low but present prevalence of NRL allergy.
Conclusions:
- Natural rubber latex is a common cause of allergic contact dermatitis.
- It is comparable to other allergens in specialized rubber series.
- Patch testing with NRL is recommended for patients with suspected rubber allergy, excluding those with immediate hypersensitivity.
