"Allergic or pseudo-allergic reaction to latex during prick-testing"

Abstract

Summary: A lot of latex products are used every day in medical and dental practice, as well as in households. This could lead to the development of sensibilisation amongst work-related groups of people, as well as in patients. Reactions that could be seen are not only affecting the skin, presented mainly like allergic contact dermatitis, but might be also severe life-threatening ones. The aim is to present a case of allergic reaction tolatex during regular skin prick testing. Clinical case: We present a clinical case of 47-year-old woman who has been forwarded to the Department of “Imaging and Oral Diagnostics”, Faculty of dental medicine, Medical University-Sofia, for testing the sensitization to latex products because of history for burning sensation, throbbing and itching in the area of the hard palate, lips and the pick of the tongue after regular dental clinical examination with latex gloves. Results: Three different types of testing were conducted for proving a latex allergy- serological examination: ImmunoCAP Phadia, prick-test and epicutaneous test. Additional testings were performed for clarifying the general allergic status of the patient. Conclusion: The diagnosing of sensitization to latex proteins seems to be easily doable but in fact it turns out to be challenging in clinical settings. Despite the performed three diagnostic tests (which are with different results), of great importance turns out to be the prick-testing and the initial clinical symptoms of allergic reaction which is manifested with feeling for edema and itching in the oral cavity. The administration of adrenaline, corticosteroids and antihistamines, included in the protocol for management of emergency situations in this specific case prevented the development of more severe condition.