Role of Latex Hypersensitivity in Patients with Chronic Urticaria

Abstract

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to determine the frequency of latex hypersensitivity in patients with chronic urticaria and to investigate the effect of latex-cross reacting food on the clinical course of the disease.

Methods: This study includes 100 patients who admitted to our dermatology clinic with chronic urticaria, 100 health care providers and 100 healthy individuals. In patients with chronic urticaria, latex skin prick test was performed in addition to routine laboratory investigations. In the control group, prick test was performed only with latex. Changes in urticaria activity scores before and after latex containing products and cross reacting food restrictions were statistically compared in patients with urticaria.

Results: Latex skin prick test was positive in 4 (4%) patients with urticaria and in 10 (10%) health care providers. Positive reaction was not observed in the healthy control group. Latex hypersensitivity in patients of urticaria was higher than healthy individuals, but the difference was not statistically significant. Urticaria activity scores did not change significantly after avoiding latex-cross reacting foods and latex-containing products.

Conclusion: Latex hypersensitivity in patients with chronic urticaria was not found to be higher than the healthy individuals. In latex-sensitive patients, avoidance of latex-cross reacting foods and latex-containing products do not change the clinical course of the disease.