Latex is found in many products including balloons, condoms, gloves, catheters and dental dams. Reactions include contact dermatitis, runny nose, hives, wheezing, and swelling. Many of these cases have occurred in patients in the operating room. Many were not known to be allergic to latex. Skin testing is felt to be too dangerous at the present time.
Patient history is a much more reliable source of diagnosis.
The only treatment for those allergic to latex is strict avoidance. All with latex allergies should have latex allergy clearly marked on their medical records. Patients should also have a Medical Alert bracelet and carry an Epinephrine Pen and Benadryl for inadvertent exposure. For those who need to use gloves in their profession, several companies have latex-free products. Patients with latex allergy who need surgery should request a latex-free operating room.