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Allergy to latex: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Sensitivity to latex is an overly pronounced immune response to water-soluble proteins found in latex items (such as rubber gloves, dental cofferdam rubber, condoms, intubation tubes, catheters, enema tips with an inflatable latex cuff) that lead to urticaria , angioedema, anaphylaxis. The reaction to latex can be acute (lgE-mediated) and delayed (cell-mediated). Acute reaction is manifested by hives and anaphylaxis; delayed - dermatitis. The diagnosis is based on the history. At present, tests are being developed to detect antiletex IgE and skin tests to diagnose an antiletex cellular immune response, but none of these tests have yet been validated sufficiently. Treatment consists in the exclusion of latex from use.
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