Allergic contact dermatitis from latex rubber.

Previously we have found occasional patients with delayed hypersensitivity to latex (in rubber gloves) in the absence of allergy to any chemicals in the rubber chemical screen. There are many reports of contact urticaria to latex and isolated reports of delayed hypersensitivity to latex, usually in the presence of contact urticaria. To establish if latex ruber is a more common cause of delayed hypersensitivity than is currently recognized, we patch tested all patients attending our contact dermatitis clinic, over a 6-month period, with latex. Of 822 patients, 16 (1.9%) demonstrated positive cutaneous reactions to latex. Six exhibited contact urticaria to latex, five contact urticaria and allergic contact dermatitis, and five allergic contact dermatitis alone. Of the five with delayed hypersensitivity to latex in the absence of contact urticaria, only one was atopic and the sensitivity was thought to be relevant or possibly relevant in four. Of our patients, 1.2% exhibited positive patch-test reactions to latex. Patch testing with latex should be considered where contact dermatitis to a latex rubber-containing product is suspected, e.g. gloves and footwear.