[Latex allergy]

Abstract

Latex is an ubiquitous natural product, frequently used at home or at work (gloves, balloon, condom...). Latex hypersensitivity is an increasing problem and now presents worrying prevalence among exposed subjects, particularly health care workers or atopic subjects or patients with multiple invasive procedures. Latex allergy generally refers to a type 1 reaction to natural rubber latex proteins with clinical manifestations ranging from contact urticaria to asthma and anaphylaxis. But eczema reaction of type IV hypersensitivity to latex rubber adding (anti-oxidant, preservative, accelerator) is also observed.