Latex hypersensitivity: relationship with positive prick test and patch test responses among hairdressers

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Abstract
Background: Natural rubber latex is a frequent cause of IgE‐mediated allergy in hairdressers; but a non‐IgE‐mediated allergy to latex proteins can also occur. Sixty‐one hairdressers, reporting latex glove‐related symptoms, were enrolled in the study. Methods: They were evaluated for latex allergy by assessment of serum specific IgE and skin prick tests. Patients were patch tested to a rubber additive series and to latex. Proportions were compared by one‐tailed Fisher's exact test; mean values of continuous variables were compared by Student's t‐test. Results: A diagnosis of IgE‐mediated latex allergy was made in 11 (18%) hairdressers; patch tests with rubber‐related antigens were positive in 24 (39.3%) subjects. The most positive patch tests were those with para‐phenylenediamine (33%). Two hairdressers (3.3%) showed delayed reactions to the latex sample. Hairdressers with IgE‐mediated latex allergy were older and presented a personal history of atopy and local hives after exposure to latex; they were more likely to have a positive response to other allergens on prick or patch testing. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates a certain number of false‐positive and false‐negative results when reported symptoms of possible latex sensitivity were compared to prick and CAP tests to latex, indicating the problems of relying solely on self‐report.