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The prevalence of latex allergy in patients with rhinitis

Natural rubber latex hypersensitivity to the constituent proteins of natural rubber latex is now an international health problem. This study investigates the prevalence of latex allergy in patients presenting with rhinitis. Fifty-nine consecutive patients, who presented to a general Otolaryngology out-patient clinic with symptoms suggestive of rhinitis, completed a questionnaire and underwent skin prick testing. Three out of 59 (5.1 per cent) tested positive to latex. The overall positive rate (all standard aeroallergens) was 45.8 per cent. Our data supports the hypothesis that the prevalence of latex allergy in patients with rhinitis is higher than the general population and that rhinitis may be a presenting symptom.