Latex

Background

NRL = natural rubber latex > 40,000 products with NRL

Hard rubber latex (heat vulcanized at high temp) Less latex antigen (most allergen denatured at high heat) Medical Consumer Gloves, balloons, condoms

Soft rubber latex (dipping process low heat vulcanization; 10-12% latex products made this way) More latex antigen (less allergen denatured at low heat) Bungs, stoppers Medical Consumer rubber car tires

Skin Testing

Standardized latex for skin testing is not available in the US.

95% Sensitivity (false negative can occur with non-standardized extracts), 100% specificity

Specific IgE Testing

~70-80% sensitivity, 95% specificity

Management

In US, medical devices are required to be labelled with warning if contain NRL.

Latex avoidance if subsequent serologic testing negative; however, negative latex IgE susggestive that inadvertant exposure risk is minimal.