Some had food allergy, atopic allergy, spina bifida, or a history of multiple surgeries. Three of the 14 had no known occupational exposure to latex products. The diagnosis of a latex hypersensitivity starts with a detailed history of symptoms and reactions. Also included are an allergy history, surgical exposures, and a dental history. Diagnostic tests to confirm the diagnosis are controversial, and some are potentially dangerous.
Some tests carry a risk of anaphylaxis.
The RAST is a serum test. It is an in vitro test for IgE antibodies to a specific allergen, accomplished by exposing solid-phase allergen to antibody containing serum. The RAST is the safest of the three most commonly performed diagnostic tests. But its reliability has been questioned because of a sensitivity estimated at approximately 50 to 60 percent. The SPT is a sensitive indicator of IgE sensitization.