Safety of Latex Prick Skin Testing in Allergic Patients-Reply

Abstract

In Reply. —This is not the first patient reported to have a possible anaphylactic reaction with the latex prick skin test.1Any potent allergen skin test in exquisitely sensitive patients has this risk. The latex testing extract is properly labeled as cause anaphylaxis. However, if properly done, the latex prick skin test is very safe. We have safely skin tested 115 patients,2,320 of whom had severe latex allergy. Our experience agrees with that of others.4The skin test needs to be carefully watched and immediately wiped clean with isopropyl alcohol after a positive result. This may be as soon as 5 to 7 minutes after the test. I question whether the patient reported by Bonnekoh and Merk had an anaphylactic event. There was minimal local reaction at the test site and, in patients with anaphylaxis, we generally see a large local wheal and flare. The