[Latex allergy]

We describe a mother and two children with latex allergy. Their symptoms illustrate the variations in the manifestations of latex allergy. This article reviews currently known aspects of this condition, including diagnosis and treatment. Latex allergy is a hypersensitive response to allergens in natural rubber latex products. It has long been known that latex exposure can cause contact dermatitis. Since 1979 there has been an increasing number of cases of IgE-mediated immediate hypersensitivity reactions, ranging from mild local urticaria to fatal anaphylaxis. The prevalence of latex allergy in the general population is still unknown, but it seems to be less than 1%. Children with spina bifida or urogenital abnormalities, health care workers and workers in the latex industry are known to be high risk groups. Patients belonging to high risk groups or patients with a positive history of latex allergy should be offered testing. High risk patients should be subjected to minimal exposure to latex, and procedures on all patients with a positive history of latex allergy should be performed in a latex-free environment.